Behind The Seams With Bacio Bacio Seamstress Olga Jimenez
By Fiona Slusarev
Amid a jungle of taffeta, tulle, lace and silk, every bride hunts for her perfect gown. But once she finds it, there is a moment when it goes from the dress to her dress. Only the skilled hands of a seamstress can create this transformation with every stitch, gusset and seam she sews.
Olga Jimenez of Bacio Bacio Bridal Boutique took us “behind the seams” to the secret world of wedding dress fittings to show us how she creates stunning gowns that match each bride’s unique vision. From the first fitting with meticulous measurements, to the hours spent shaping, pinning and refining, wedding dress alterations require patience and passion in every step.
No bride dreams of an almost-perfect wedding day or dress: Every detail has weight when the end result must be flawless. Each pleat, lace appliqué and gem is laid with precision. Tiny adjustments can completely change how a bride feels when she looks in the mirror. Perfection is not just an ideal, it is a requirement.
Jimenez has spent the last two decades honing her craft at Bacio Bacio, but she was originally drawn to sewing as a young girl who wanted to add something special to the identical dresses her mother handmade for her and her sister. She made her first outfit at 12 years old and went to college to study fashion design in Colombia.
For Jimenez, wedding dress alterations are something that she cherishes. She gets to be a part of the magic of one of the most important days in people’s lives. Every day is different, with each individual bride who walks through the boutique doors bringing her own unique vision and dream for her wedding day.
“I’m always proud to help brides make their dreams come true,” Jimenez said.
The first fitting is usually around six weeks before the wedding. Jimenez checks in with the bride-to-be to discuss what her goals are for the dress and to make sure she is completely happy. The bride puts on her dress, while wearing the shoes that she’ll walk down the aisle in, so the fit can be perfectly tailored from the top of the bodice all the way to the bottom hem.
“You feel more confident because the dress, like if it’s a little tight or loose, or if there are any specific changes that are going to be made, it is going to be more you,” Jimenez explained.
Jimenez starts with the hem and creates the bustle, the series of hooks and snaps that hold the train after the ceremony, so brides can walk and dance with ease; each bustle is different depending on the style of the dress and height of the bride. She estimated that at least 98 percent of brides need alterations to the hem and bustle. With that complete, she works her way up, polishing the fit at each seam.
Sometimes brides want to customize their dress further, by adding or taking away sleeves and straps, changing the neckline or creating boleros. Each bride wants something different. Some want something modest, while others want to highlight their curves. With her experience, Jimenez can accommodate the many changes that brides request.
“I always have in my mind that this is not just a dress. It is her wedding gown. That makes a huge difference,” Jimenez said.
The second fitting is around two weeks before the wedding to ensure that everything is still perfect and the bride loves the changes. Jimenez noted that while most brides only require two fittings, some rare occasions may necessitate three or four. If a bride is not local, Jimenez is even able to work her magic overnight, so brides can fly home with their gorgeous gown as quickly as possible.
“To me, the most important is the bride. Because if you feel pretty, that will reflect on the people around you. You are the star — the brightest star,” Jimenez said.
It takes at least eight hours for the alterations for one dress; a time frame that can increase rapidly with gowns that have more detail or lace. According to Jimenez, all the tiny details of a wedding dress that often go unnoticed are actually what makes it special.
“I do my work with love. When you love what you do, it’s never boring,” Jimenez noted.
For her, the most rewarding part of wedding dress alterations is helping the brides be happy on their wedding days. Jimenez feels like a mother to all the brides and just wants to see them smile when they put on their dresses. This is why she spends hours perfectly mirroring lace on each side of the gown, doing last-minute alterations should a bride’s weight fluctuate, working with family heirloom dresses that have fragile fabric and delicate lace, and going the extra mile for each bride.
“All the dresses are special,” Jimenez said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple dress, a short dress or a long dress. It’s simple: It’s her wedding gown, so that means it’s very special. It’s unique.”
After the pins are removed, joining the needle in the pincushion, a seamstress’s work is carried forward not only in a perfectly fitted gown but also as a piece of the dream wedding that she helped the bride bring to life. Though a seamstress’s efforts happen quietly, after the doors to the showroom are shut and brides-to-be have gone home, the impact of her work will live in the bride’s memories for decades to come.
Bacio Bacio Bridal Boutique is located in the Kobosko’s Crossing plaza at 9160 Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 792-6111 or visit www.baciobacio.com.
Jessica’s story is one of those that reminds us how meaningful a wedding gown can truly be. She chose to honor her mother by having her mom’s wedding dress thoughtfully modified, and then wearing it for her reception. It wasn’t simply about wearing a beautiful dress — it was about carrying a piece of her mother’s story into a new chapter of her own. Showcasing Olga’s incredible talent to transform something already filled with so much history and emotion into a gown that felt uniquely Jessica was incredibly touching.
— Amy Panzer, Bridal Stylist
