Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridgette Erdogan.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started when I graduated with an associate degree in fashion at age 18 in Istanbul. Struggling to find a job due to the language barrier, I decided to learn English to expand my opportunities. At 19, I moved to California with plans to eventually return home. However, I chose to stay after realizing the immense potential to launch my own brand as a custom wedding gown maker and designer; California offers a level of visibility and creative opportunity that I simply couldn’t find in Istanbul. I also found out it is a very unique talent for who can design and make their designs bring to life without have to seek additional help of other artisans.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is not linear, and I am the living example of it. After choosing to stay in California permanently, I committed to continuing my education, a journey that would span 12 years of immense resilience, trial, and error. Balancing the immediate need to work to survive with the demands of school was a constant struggle. At one point, I even faced academic probation at my local community college due to low grades. However, I refused to let lack of guidance or early setbacks define my future. Through managing my career after getting known by wonderful brides of San Diego and working for stable income I turned my academic path around, and ultimately graduated with an art and art history degree from UC Berkeley backed by scholarships.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Brides often come to me to design, custom-make, or alter their dream wedding gowns. I also provide expert consultations, guiding brides both before and after their purchase to ensure their dress perfectly matches their expectations. While many exceptional dressmakers learn entirely through traditional apprenticeships, my approach is uniquely grounded in 11 years of formal training, including a 7-year foundation in textile and fashion education, followed by 4 years of fine art and design at UC Berkeley. Combining this academic rigor with 17 years of hands-on experience in both corporate fashion houses and my own private studio, I bring a rare blend of technical mastery and artistic vision to every gown I touch.
What are your plans for the future?
I am so excited to bring my own line of custom-made gowns to life, but my dream goes beyond the dresses. My mission is to build a brand that lifts up other women. I plan to hire single mothers, offering a highly flexible working schedule and environment so they can earn a living doing beautiful work while successfully raising their babies like I did in the past before.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beliabridalalterations.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beliabridalalterations/
