High fashion designer debuts in Bucks County

Have you ever pictured that perfect outfit, combed through all of your favorite stores, but somehow your fantasy design does not exist? Have you ever looked at certain well-dressed people and wonder, “Damn, how do they look so good?” Being a one-of-a-kind fashionista is so much easier than it sounds. With the help of Miss Debbie's Alterations and Designs, you don't have to go to New York, Milan or Paris for gorgeous, custom clothing. Miss Debbie recently relocated to Bucks County, and is offering her services to the local area.

We recently chatted with Miss Debbie. Check out our interview with her:

Bucks Happening: When and how did you fall in love with fashion?
Miss Debbie: When I was young, I’d sketch garments I’ve seen in old black and white movies. I love the forties and fifties style. The clothes in that era were so feminine and elegant.

BH: How long have you been sewing?
MD: About 30 years! I started sewing around the age of 11. My mother taught me how to sew. She’d make us all wear matching outfits, including her!

BH: Did you study the art? Where did you go to school?
MD: I attended The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and The American College for the Applied Arts in Los Angeles.

BH: What are your favorite things about making clothes?
MD: I enjoy creating garments for anyone or altering them to fit perfectly. It’s very gratifying making a garment fit someone to make them look beautiful.

BH: I understand you have wedding services? Tell us about them.
MD: I am available to create all types of custom creations from a bride's dream gown, to veils of any length or fullness. If you can dream it, I can make it! Sometimes brides want detachable cathedral veils, which is a fun option to make a dramatic entrance. Of course, if you purchased your gown from a salon, I am available for all types of alterations, from your typical sizing and hemming alterations, to major design changes.

I also offer “Dressing” services. This service includes helping the bride get dressed, bustling the gown at the reception, and any emergency repairs needed for the bridal party during the day of the event.

BH: Tell us about a particularly interesting dress that you’ve made.
MD: One interesting story that sticks out in my mind is when I transformed a sheath bridesmaid's gown into a maternity gown. The client had ordered her gown months before the wedding. By the time the wedding arrived she was 8 months pregnant. I was able to assist her in ordering extra fabric, from which I created an empire line and added a front skirt panel that made room for her baby belly. It looked great! You’d never know the gown was altered for her.

Here's another wild story: A Florida bride sent fabric to her bridesmaids all over the country. The bride wanted each bridesmaid to have their gowns made. She chose a low-cut blouse design and gave basic instructions on what she wanted, but the fabric was not suited for the design. One of her bridesmaids found me. It was my job to help the bridesmaid execute the design bride imagined, using my technical knowledge to find fabric that was suitable to hold the shape of the design. Further, the pattern needed to be altered to fit a long-waisted woman,which I accomplished with some “tricks up my sleeve” here and there to keep the gown from gaping open. After the wedding, I heard from the bridesmaid, who informed me that the other bridesmaids (who had used other seamstresses) had “falling out” issues, and used tape to keep the front closed.

BH: How long have you been in Bucks County?
MD: I grew up in Lower Bucks County. I’ve been away for awhile, but I’ve been back home for about a year. It’s been great bumping into old friends and schoolmates.

BH: Which Bucks County spots inspire you as a designer?
MD: New Hope is a great spot for inspiration. There is a lot of artistic energy in New Hope. A concept can be as simple as a ring design, or colors on art work. People watching is also very inspiring.

Miss Debbie specializes in re-styling, and custom designing of formal wear, including:

wedding gowns
bridesmaid gowns
prom gowns
Christening gowns
Communion dresses
mens suits
school and band uniforms

If there is something you are interested in but do not see, do not hesitate to call. For appointments, call 267-616-6105 or email missdebbiealterations@gmail.com.