Phoenix Dressmaker Builds A Bond With Her Brides-To-Be

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Monday, August 29, 2016 - 4:57pm
Audio icon Download mp3 (7.14 MB)

When you think about the most memorable garments in a person’s life one that consistently comes to mind is a wedding dress.

So designing them can be quite a challenge and a lot of pressure.

"You're part of their life now, you're not just a rack they're going to pull from," said dress designer Monique Sandoval of her clients. "You are now friends."

Sandoval is the owner of the Phoenix boutique Cleo and Clementine. She was also profiled as one of Phoenix New Times’ 100 Creatives.

  • Sandoval created her own wedding dress— the night before the big day.
    (Photo courtesy Monique Sandoval)
  • "You're part of their life now, you're not just a rack they're going to pull from," Sandoval said of her clients.
    (Photo courtesy Monique Sandoval)
  • Sandoval works with brides for up to six months before their wedding designing and fitting their dresses.
    (Photo courtesy Monique Sandoval)
  • Sandoval says she looks for harmony with her clients so they can work together to create the ideal dress.
    (Photo courtesy Monique Sandoval)
  • Fitting dresses takes good communication. "They're in your mirror half-clothed and you're talking and trying to make them feel comfortable at the same time," Sandoval said.
    (Photo courtesy Monique Sandoval)
  • "As a dressmaker we want to be happy making the dress," Sandoval said. "We don't want to feel the pressure or the stress or the negative energy in our studio space."
    (Photo courtesy Monique Sandoval)
The Show