 GILLES
MONTEZIN
For years Gilles Montezin constructed
dreams with incomparable clarity and quality. His designs
are embedded with knowledge imparted from the greatest minds
in Parisian tailoring and the techniques of old-world couture.
Montezin’s aesthetic has never ceased to entice clients with
discriminating palettes—satiated by luxury—since the debut
of his namesake collection in 2004 and his subsequent bridal
premiere in 2009.
Gilles began his design career at Paris’s legendary L’ecole
de la Haute Couture in. It was here that Montezin learned
the signature techniques held to the government-regulated
standards of Parisian Haute Couture.
His training complete, Gilles went
on to design era-sensitive costumes at The Opera Bastille
where he worked, simultaneously, constructing couture and
made-to-order garments under the direction of Paris’s most
notable designers—namely Loris Azzaro and Christian Lacroix.
After a long stint in Paris, Gilles
Montezin moved to New York to establish his eponymous collection.
Montezin developed a reputation for staying grounded in his
couture construction roots, and producing garments possessing
quality unachievable by most of his contemporaries.
“I’m not looking to make a ‘statement’,”
said Gilles. “Whether ready-to-wear or bridal I’m looking
to make woman’s dreams reality; I’m looking to make women
feel and look amazing!”
Montezin’s collection is offered
by select department stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue
and Kleinfeld, and catches the eyes of stylists and celebrities
across the world. Most recently his work was featured in
ELLE Sweden, Women’s Wear Daily, and on Sarah Jessica Parker
in the film Sex and the City. |
 BERNADETTE
PLEASANT
A serial entrepreneur and fashionista,
Bernadette Pleasant made her first foray into the business
world in the late 90s. Her first business, The Bridal Suite,
provided a posh midtown Manhattan sanctuary for discerning
brides.
The Bridal Suite carried a large selection
of popular bridal designers, and Pleasant often assisted
her clients to create an individualized bridal ensemble.
Soon, the boutique's clientele craved Pleasant's custom creations
and stylings.
Experience at The Bridal Suite helped
Pleasant develop and fine tune her understanding of fabrics,
texture, color, and cut. Over time, she mastered the art
of bringing these elements together seamlessly for a cohesive
look. Her knowledge of the bridal industry was further enhanced
when she took a position at the coveted Vera Wang salon.
During her tenure there, she participated in the roll-out
of the highly successful ready-to-wear line.
After leaving Vera Wang, Pleasant sought
an opportunity where she could marry her love of fashion
with her business acumen. This led to her partnership with
Gilles Montezin for the launch of his bridal division.
As CEO of Gilles Montezin Bridal, Pleasant
is responsible for making the brand a must-have for every
bride's wish list. Bernadette is especially excited about
bringing more styles and silhouettes to market for plus size
brides.
Pleasant is quoted as a bridal fashion
expert in several publications including The Knot, New York
magazine, New York Bride, Brides magazine, Brides Noir and
a host of others. In 2005 she made an appearance on Donald
Trump’s reality show, The Apprentice during an episode where
contestants were tasked to sell wedding dresses. |
