Gowns By Karen, Karen L. Raker - MA

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CUSTOM COUTURE BRIDAL GOWNS, ATTENDANTS' DRESSES AND ACCESSORIES

PERSONAL

Karen has over 40 years' experience designing and creating custom garments.  She is an avid admirer of such great designers as Vionnet, Chanel, Dior, Valentino and St Laurent.  She studies their work and applies similar techniques to her creations.  She has studied in the classrooms of Claire Shaeffer, Susan Khalje and Kenneth King and is constantly learning.  Her greatest reward is the positive reaction from her client when she says "I love my dress".

TESTIMONIALS

"Thank you so much for helping me out and making my dress beautiful.  You are a lifesaver.""

"Karen made the wedding gown of my dreams possible.  The design was far from straight forward, yet, somehow, Karen was able to figure it out.  It was exactly how I'd imagined.  I was so pleased with her work that I had her make my veil and cape as well.  Karen is very talented and truly cares about her customers.  If you work with her, you can be sure that she will do whatever it takes to make the gown of your dreams a reality.  I truly appreciate the quality I received from her and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an excellent designer."


Background:

Henry O. Peabody School
Norwood, MA
Highest Honors in Fashion Design

Affiliation:

Association of Sewing and Design Professionals (ASDP)
President, New England Chapter, 2004-2006
Past Vice President  - Programs New England Chapter

Contact:

Gowns By Karen
Walpole, MA
Phone: 508-668-0888

http://www.gownsbykaren.com

News

MADELINE VIONNET EXHIBIT TO TOUR COUNTRY

ASDP members re-created 1/2 scale models of Madeline Vionnet's designs from Betty Kirk's book.   Her book, entitled Madeleine VIONNET includes a forward by ISSEY MIYAKE.  It consists of 38 original patterns from Vionnet's original collection.

 They were on display at the convention in Chicago in October of 2009.  The exhibit is going to be touring the country over the next two years.  Betty Kirke was there in person to review the exhibit.

Karen created two garments for the show.  One was a black silk velvet cape with red and violet fabric roses on the collar.  The other was a bridal gown in white silk velvet.