We had the pleasure of catching up with Samantha Chirico who is currently on an internship at Fota Island Resort. Samantha has worked in Kleinfield Bridal in New York……. we had to know more!
Hi Samantha, working with Kleinfeld Bridal must have been an incredible experience, what was your main role while you were there?
Having the opportunity to intern at Kleinfeld Bridal was an experience that I will treasure for a lifetime. I started my internship, as a consultant’s assistant and progressed as an intern in the PR and Marketing department. While an assistant consultant, I was assigned to one of the many talented bridal consultants to assist brides with the finding of their dream gown. At Kleinfeld, our ultimate goal is to attain the bride’s vision, find a gown that is more than she has ever imagined and most importantly make this a memorable experience that she will cherish in this new chapter of her life. As for the PR and Marketing department my role was to assist in the production of fashion shows for bridal market week and in store company events to promote and market Kleinfeld’s luxury brand. Each role was special in itself, making me well rounded in every aspect of the company and the bridal industry.
Kleinfeld is known for having one of the largest selection of wedding dresses in the world… That is a lot of choice! How did you help customers nail down the perfect wedding gown for them?
Guiding brides to find the ideal gown is what Kleinfeld does best. It is important to consider every element of the wedding; this includes theme, style and formality. Focusing on what the bride loves, what is flattering on the body and the budget for the dress are essential elements to consider. As the bride, remember the expertise of the consultants, keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to try different looks. At the end of the day always stay true to yourself. The perfect gown should reflect who are and make you feel like the best version of yourself. That is when you know you have found “The Dress.”
Who are some of your favourite bridal designers and gowns?
There are my secret fascination, Monique Lhuiller, Marchesa, Reem Acra and Elie Saab, but then there is my enchantment that leaves me speechless each time I see a gown hit the floor. J’Aton, Galia Lahav, Berta and Inbal Dror really know how to make a girls heart swoon. I adore gowns with body-hugging silhouettes to anything brimming with an ethereal romantic look. Gowns with delicate beading, Chantilly lace and memorizing intricate detail. I believe every bridal gown has its own fairytale; that is what makes them so intriguing to me!
Kleinfeld also has a fantastic reputation for customer service and work that goes into each wedding dress. Do you have any tips for brides to preserve their dress after the big day?
From the instant you meet your bridal consultant to saying “Yes to the Dress,” to the very last fitting; the entire experience is really something special. It is only natural to want to preserve your dress after the big day. From preserving the dress as an heirloom to be passed down to future generations, saving it as a keepsake for yourself, altering it into another piece of clothing or re-purposing it into a sentimental item or ultimately donating it charity. However you wish to preserve it, always make sure to remember the kind eyes of your husband when he first saw you walking down the aisle, friends and family being in awe, and you feeling like the most beautiful, luckiest woman alive. Because in that moment you truly are.
Samantha Chirico is a Weddings and Events Marketing Intern at Fota Island Resort, Cork. She possess an extreme love for the bridal industry with experience in weddings having worked with Kleinfeld Bridal, Manhattan.
