Carine's Bridal Salon is an elegant bridal salon in the heart of Georgetown in Washington DC, accessible to Northern Virginia and Maryland. Our wedding shop features high fashion wedding dresses and gowns from Angel Sanchez, Carolina Herrera, Melissa Sweet, St. Pucchi, Priscilla of Boston's - The Platinum Collection, Pronovias, and Reem Acra.
Carine's Bridal Atelier holds trunk shows, fashion shows, and charity events. An article on Carine's mission and the salon opening was recently submitted to The Georgetowner, a local newspaper in Washington DC.
Washington, D.C.- When Carine's Bridal Atelier, holds a "trunk show" for the Platinum Collection by designer Kenneth Pool on December 1-3, a rare independence will be on display in an industry dominated by big-name corporate players. For both Pool and Carine Halabi, the founder of the newly opened Georgetown bridal boutique, the show represents a leap away from the corporate world of bridal design that is equal parts exciting and terrifying. Both have stepped out of the shadows of the powerhouse industry leaders, and are attempting to prove that artistic integrity still has a place in big business. "It was a big decision to leave my position, and I have to admit it has been scary at times, but I wanted to build something special, and I couldn't do it where I was" said Carine. Kenneth Pool designed for Vera Wang and Reem Acra before being awarded a line in his own name, The Kenneth Pool Collection. That line, though in Pool's name, was produced under the Amsale label. But Pool quickly grew dismayed over the bureaucracy at Amsale. He felt restricted in his ability to execute his artistic vision, and distressed that the Kenneth Pool Collection didn't completely represent the vision of its namesake. So he left to being his own line of wedding gowns, The Platinum Collection. The move is a serious gamble for Pool, as his own name is now the property of Amsale. But early indications say that Pool's gamble may have been a successful roll of the dice. The Platinum Collection dresses have been described as "elaborate, dramatic gowns luxuriously designed in rich silk fabrics with hand embroidered beading, crystal and threadwork" by Womens Wear Daily.Carine pursued a design career in New York City and worked with Vera Wang before managing the bridal salon at Saks Fifth Avenue in Tyson's Corner. She left Saks to open Carine's Bridal Atelier after growing disenchanted with the company's rigid customer care policies. "It was a question of service," Carine said of her decision to break away from Saks. "A bride would need a gown customized a little, and I would have to tell them 'no'. It wouldn't have been hard to do, but it just wasn't our policy." There is presently a big difference between a bridal salon in New York and a bridal salon in Washington, D.C., Carine says. "In New York, the bridal salons are more sophisticated. The staff is more knowledgeable. They have backgrounds in design, so they know their stuff. And the collections of dresses are larger." With her experience and contacts, Carine says, she can bring the look and feel of a New York City salon to Georgetown. A recent polling of brides to be coming out of the new salon confirms what Carine was striving for. "Its my favorite so far," said Sarah Holian of Dallas. "Carine was awesome, the dresses were amazing and the store was beautiful. The whole experience was so calming, such a difference from the other salons I visited." Jen Snyder of Washington, D.C. said, "I had a great time, we really had a lot of fun, not stressful at all, and Carine was amazing." As purchaser for Saks Fifth Avenue's bridal salon, Carine routinely met with major designers in New York City. She developed close relationships with some, including Kenneth Pool. "They knew me and they knew how important it was to me to give the bride what she wanted. That's why they supported me and allowed me to represent them in D.C." Maintaining a personal touch and placing an emphasis on the artistry of the wedding gown are essential, Carine says. Designers obviously agree, as she now carries gowns by Angel Sanchez, Carolina Herrera, Melissa Sweet, Reem Acra, Pronovias, and St Pucchi. In the bridal industry, a trunk show is a chance to show off the work of a particular artist. In many cases it allows customers to preview and/or purchase newly designed gowns before they are made available to the general public. In rare instances, designers like Pool will make an appearance at the event to stand beside vendors. "I'm so glad that Kenneth and I agree about the importance of art and service in the bridal gown industry," Carine says. "It means we have a chance to raise this business above just profits and dollar signs." The two harbor no will toward their former employers. But a recent Sak's trunk show in Tyson's featured Amsale's Kenneth Pool collection, and neither the designer nor the store's veteran buyers were in attendance. "I wish them the best, and I know they'll survive on name alone," Carine says. "But some brides prefer the intimacy and service I can give them in a small boutique as opposed to a large department store."