There would not be enough positive words to describe my experience at Cotton Bridal! From my first meeting with them to the text they sent us the morning of the wedding, the whole experience was amazing. I am a short, curvy gal who was having a 50's romantic (think Sinatra) wedding and they embraced every element of that and my not-so-small personality. When I changed my mind and wanted sleeves, they did not blink and created a dress I am still in love with! I cannot recommend this shop enough and hope you will consider them! You will not regret it! FEEL FREE TO CONTCT ME! read more

Words cannot describe how wonderful of an experience we had at the Cotton Bride. The dresses are absolutely beautiful and elegant, and Fikre and Chris are so sweet, helpful, and easy to work with. This is not your average dress-shopping experience - it is more personal and the materials are more earthy. The dresses are timeless and made to fit like a glove. I feel so lucky to have been able to get my wedding dress at the Cotton Bride and highly recommend it to any bride looking for a special dress. Thank you so much, Fikre and Chris (and Lola)! read more

It's difficult to write a review for The Cotton Bride, because no words can express my gratitude for Fikre and Chris and their integral part of my wedding day. Shopping for a wedding dress caused me anxiety, and it disappeared the minute I walked through the door of their boutique. Fikre is so warm and welcoming, making you feel like he's a friend you've known for years. Chris, with a more reserved yet equally pleasant demeanor, is truly a master of design. On my first visit, Fikre had me try on a plethora of dresses in all different styles; this really helped me see what I liked and didn't like, what looked good on my shape and what was not so flattering, etc. You can tell that he has a passion for bridal gowns, as he took the time to explain the style, fabric, and details of each dress. On the sidelines, Chris sketched away. What's really cool about this is that you receive a truly customized gown, with the ability to pick and choose details and fabric from each dress to create one stunning gown that is one of a kind. When Chris showed me the final sketch, I was floored and the excitement really set in. On a piece of paper was my dream dress, and I couldn't wait to see it constructed. Once completed, I was nothing less than amazed. I was wearing a gown that fit me like a glove and looked absolutely gorgeous. And it was SO light; I got the glamor of a couture wedding gown without feeling weighed down. This was perfect for me, because my wedding was in warm and humid Jamaica. The Cotton Bride is THE place to go, especially if you are having a beach wedding, in the summer, etc. And honestly, the price blew me away as well. For the individualized service you receive, the customization, and the hand crafted gown, you WILL pay less than you would at another shop. For the amazing quality of my dress, I thought it would be much, much more expensive. They gave advice as to the type of corset to wear (they even gave me the exact model and the location where it could be purchased), and helped me in my jewelry selection. I received so many compliments on my dress, and I highly recommend any bride go immediately to The Cotton Bride. There's truly nobody like Fikre and Chris, and my experience was magical. read more

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Superb designer What an amazing experience I just had getting my Wedding Gown from The Cotton Bride. When it comes to attention-to-detail, professionalism and talent, Chris exhibits all these qualities and more. Other than my fairytale-Wedding dress, Chris has designed several couture pieces for me, and each time I'm in one of them, I feel so grand and confident. Chris is awesome at what he does. He is easy to work with and his attention to detail is legendary. I had a few ideas in my head for my gown, but Chris knew what suited me and made it all come together above and beyond my wildest expectations. Communication was super easy. He and Fikre are really patient, accommodating, and nothing is too much trouble. They were even able to work with me while even though I was in a different country for the most part! Chris is very professional and passionate about his work and finds so much joy in putting a smile on his clients' faces. The Cotton Bride did me proud on my Wedding Day -the guests talked about my classic gown, saying it was straight from Downtown Abbey --- and all the compliments were mind blowing. Though I shouldn't need another Wedding dress again (!), I will be returning to The Cotton Bride for another couture gown soon! I highly recommend . read more

Even though the Cotton Bride was the very first bridal shop I visited and where I bought my customized dress practically immediately, I wanted to wait until after my wedding to post only the greatest review ever. Before I got engaged, I knew that my style for a wedding dress would be very 1950's - who doesn't want a tea length dress? Then I started looking at the more "mainstream" bridal salons online and began to get very very nervous that my vision would not be realized. As I said, The Cotton Bride was the first shop that I visited, and just like Fikre said to me after I tried on some of their styles, my search was done. Their model is different than other bridal salons; when you go, you will be the only bride there (which is awesome) and they book you for two hours. The whole appointment takes place in the studio which is really one of the best things about The Cotton Bride: all customized dresses are made on their premises!! Who can't love that business model? Fikre handles the business side of everything and believe me, he makes the entire experience wonderful. You will want to be his best friend. Fikre has a very discerning eye and will work with you to choose a dress that flatters you best. When I left the studio on that very first day, I was on Cloud 9 with my dress choice. I want to say that the most noteworthy aspect of my entire experience at the Cotton Bride was how much they cared about making sure the final product was absolutely perfect. When I had a small defect in the foundation of the dress, they worked tirelessly with me in the studio to get it perfect.In fact, Chris, the brooding artist himself, said that he would not go home until it was 100% correct. It goes almost without saying that the dress could not have been better, but, for a nervous bride a few months from the big day, I never once doubted the skill of Chris or anyone at The Cotton Bride. And now, as a newlywed, I am so proud to say that I am a "Cotton Bride" for life. Thank you so much Fikre and Chris! I cannot think of any studio who even comes close to what you deliver. read more

The Cotton Bride - Bridal Near Me - Long Island City, New York

If you are luckily enough to either live in NY area, or are able to get there and you are looking for the perfect wedding dress, I would HIGHLY recommend making the trip to The Cotton Bride. Here I was in the stressful situation trying to find the 'perfect dress', wanting to stay within a reasonable budget, needing something appropriate for an outdoor summer wedding in Napa, and had only 5 months...I had gone to a few places in Houston (where I live), and I was faced with sales attendants that looked at me in horror when I told them I needed the dress by June (this was Feb!), dresses with huge trains (I did not need to be dragging twigs and grass up to the alter with me), or dresses that my top was falling out of... And then I came across The Cotton Bride! What an experience!! Fikre told me we had plenty of time, not to worry. They have all of the fabrics in stock, and make the dresses in their shop, so they don't have to order overseas and then ship back - saving time and money. He was kind, professional, and I have to say one of my favorite vendors to work with in regards to the wedding. I am luckily because even though I don't live in NY, my mom does, so I was able to combine visits with her, with dress trips. On my first visit the only stress was picking WHICH dress (other places I was luckily to find something that - maybe - sort of - kind of - might be possible). Chris, the designer, watched me try on a few gown, and then started to sketch! He took the best top, and the best bottom for my shape, factoring in the wedding venue, and what I was most comfortable in... and magic -- the perfect dress!! I ran into a girl in the airport on my return flight home. She was carrying her wedding dress, so I started to talk to her about the whole 'dress' experience. I showed her the drawing of my dress, forgetting that the price was written on there. Her jaw hit the ground when she saw the cost. "Is that the TOTAL cost?!! But that's not with alterations right?" - Yes, it was. "But, that isn't with any changes to pattern or fabric upgrades, right?" - Yes, whole dress is new pattern/custom designed for me. She then told me the cost of her dress... I have to say, I felt even better about my decision of going to The Cotton Bride after that! Even if you factored in my travel costs, I paid significantly less than she did (and her dress was fairly simple, like mine). The Cotton Bride is also a more 'green' choice. Now it isn't 'green' to a nit-picky degree, but it is better most other choices. And I also felt good about that. Overall, I really could not have asked for anything better than the experience - and the end result - which I had with The Cotton Bride, and recommend that if you are looking for a wedding dress, or formal dress this should be your first stop. read more

After some perusing - trunk shows, department stores, and online - I realized that the bridal wedding industrial complex makes me gag. I am the Low Maintenance Bride - I want clean lines, simple natural fabrics (for a beach wedding), a relatively light weight dress, and NO pouf/sequins - i.e., it's my wedding day, not the Miss Universe competition. Unfortunately, this means that I am not in the target market for 99.9999999% of bridal gowns. After nearly tearing my hair out at the prospects of having to wear something that would look like a prom dress - I googled "cotton" and "bridal" and happened upon The Cotton Bride, which is not to far from my home in Queens. Sweet. I emailed for info, received prompt, helpful communication from Fikre, and scheduled a fitting within 3 days. The studio is in the last (remaining) bastion of industrial Long Island City, just north of the Queensboro Bridge. I arrived for a fitting, and was given utmost attention and help and fun and good humor for several hours. It was fantastic and fun...the studio is great, lined with beautiful natural fabric dresses which you can check out on the website. You can of course have any of these dresses made, but Fikre and Chris (the designer) specialize in designing and constructing the right dress for you - this means trying on dresses for best fitting silhouettes, and working out if you want something they've already got or something new. Some tips: -Bring a gal pal if you are paranoid about men helping you in and out of dresses. But Fikre and Chris are completely lovely and non creepy so if you're laid back about it, they are tremendous help. -Expect to try on a bunch of dresses of all shapes and silhouettes to get a great idea for what looks great on the hanger but also great on your body - and that you can work with Chris to design what you want or else get something pre-fab'ed in the studio. -Expect to see loads of beautiful natural fibers, cottons, laces, silks, and linens. -Expect to pay a fair price for natural quality fabric and construction. This means, more than a sweatshop labor polyester dress. But FAIR. -If you want pouf and sequins - this may not be the place for you. read more

I had a great experience at this great little gem of a bridal shop. They actually make all of their dresses in house, they have tons of materials to help you create your own dress if that is what you want, or take one of their dresses as a base and alter it with different laces/materials/cuts/styles/etc... The designer Chris is truly brilliant and Fikre is an accommodating and wonderful help. I highly recommend this place! The prices are very very affordable for bridal standards (as low as $700, most in the $1000-2000 range and some going over up to $3000 or $4000 MAX but that is for 100% raw silk w/ hand stitched beading, custom made for you, etc). Brides that love natural fabrics will love this place. read more

With a wedding in Puerto Rico, I found The Cotton Bride online while searching for cotton wedding dresses. I met with Fikre and Chris in their design studio in Queens before looking anywhere else, and fell in love with the 1st dress... 2nd dress... the 3rd dress... nearly all of Chris's dresses. (Now just to be sure, I went to about 5 other dress salons afterwards, and not only could I not find any dresses that even came close, but the dress shopping experiences in these other places were just shameful compared to the attention I received with Chris and Fikre.) Chris's dresses are simply beautiful, with lovely cotton laces and fabrics, and clean, classic designs. Sure, the dresses are reasonably priced and beautiful. But more importantly, you feel special just going there, and meeting directly with Chris and Fikre, who are so sweet and accommodating, and who make sure that you are 100% happy with your dress. I wanted something a little different, and Chris sketched something for me right there on the spot. Fikre offers fabulous feedback and helpful suggestions, and both just want to make sure they can assist you in getting exactly what you want for your special day. The dress I ended up with, (the 2nd one I tried on!! with a different lace), was so beautiful and perfect, and it not only lasted through the big day, and hours of dancing, but it looked just as beautiful as when I first tried it on. Honestly, I can't recommend them enough, and I feel lucky to have found them. :) read more

Love Chris and Fikre! Not only was my CUSTOM MADE dress gorgeous, but I enjoyed my experience with them. On my first visit, there was no time frame, they spent time with me to get to know me and had me try on every silhouette to see what worked best on me. They were super responsive when I wanted to make some last minute changes and just made me feel special and like me and my dress mattered. Couldn't be happier that I went with the Cotton Bride. read more

The Cotton Bride is the best. The designs are wonderful and the studio manager Fikre is a stupendous, super amazing person who will bend over backwards to make you happy. When you're doing the bridal gown rounds, The Cotton Bride is a can't-miss stop. read more

Great individualized attention from 2 experts. They are kind and brilliant. My experience there with my daughter was everything a mother would want for her daughter. I can't wait to see her I her gown. read more

I love The Cotton Bride!! This is the perfect place for women who don't want a floofy, sparkly wedding dress. The gowns here are elegant and so beautifully made, and SO comfortable to be in! I came here twice to find a dress for my backyard wedding and was amazed at the range of styles, all in rich natural fabrics. They only take one appointment at a time, and Fikre and Chris were incredible in how they translated my vague ideas into gorgeous dress suggestions-- after trying on a few dresses I think they understood my style and what worked for my body shape more than I do! I ended up getting the dress for the ceremony elsewhere, mainly because my heart was torn between two Cotton Bride dresses, but they're working with me now to make a dress for the reception. So much love and thought goes into each of these dresses, and Chris and Fikre are such a delight to work with. read more

I had the most wonderful, un-rushed, genuinely fun experience with Fikre and Chris. I went in with absolutely no idea what I wanted, and over the course of many hours on a Saturday they helped me try on what must have been dozens of dresses, each of which was marvelous and none of which were a waste of time. If you want an elegant, sublime dress, The Cotton Bride should be your first stop. If you want the best experience choosing your dress, with the help, care and special attention of having the people who design and create the gown, the Cotton Bride could be your ONLY stop Both Fikre and Chris are KIND, and the dresses are BEAUTIFUL. I made a yelp account just to recommend them and express my gratitude read more

I visited 5 wedding dress boutiques before throwing up my hands in despair. Almost every gown I tried on felt ridiculously costumey and not me. I did find a couple here and there that might work, but they were priced way out of my range. By the time I walked into Fikre and Chris' boutique, I did not expect to do much better. However, I noticed right away their approach was very different. First, their attentiveness and reassuring manner instantly put me at ease. Second, they let me try on any dress I wanted, and they then strongly urged me to try on dresses I would never have thought of trying on. It was a learning experience, as I'd never dreamed of trying on a ball-gown or knowing the difference in certain fabrics. Third, they gave me almost an entire 2 hours to do so and I didn't feel rushed at all. Before I went to The Cotton Bride, I thought that my dream dress was a certain style (v-neck with straps, & column draping), but I had gotten feedback from anyone that I asked that it was in fact something entirely different. Chris and Fikre were able to explain to me why this was so, and I was persuaded that strapless-flare was really the way to go. Then because we couldn't find the exact detailing I wanted from the dresses already available, Chris proceeded to help me design the dress from scratch, with the fabric, lace, beading and draping meticulously decided upon. The final product was a dress that was entirely ME, and at my wedding everyone kept telling me so. I couldn't have been a happier bride. Thank you Chris and Fikre for an amazing experience!! read more

You probably haven't met my mother but trust me...when my mother says I had the most beautiful wedding dress, that is something! And she was right. After a very unpleasant experience at a big famous bridal shop, and many many calls to find a store that sells dresses made out of natural fibers, I lucked upon The Cotton Bride and am so so glad I did. Chris and Fikre are both so wonderful to work with - they listened and responded to everything I requested. The dress was at the perfect price point. I highly highly recommend The Cotton Bride. They make special occasion dresses as well so I know I will back. read more

So I just made this account to tell you all how amazing The Cotton Bride is. I am not a "normal bride," I don't like big poofy gowns and the whole wedding industry makes me nervous, so I assumed my dress shopping experience would be torture. Searching tirelessly for a place that understood me, I finally got in touch with Fikre and from the first time we spoke I knew that this was the place for me. Fikre is a gem. I'm not kidding. He's the sweetest person and not for one minute did I feel like he was pushing me in any direction. At first nothing was really working for me, I felt like a lot of their dresses, while beautiful, were a little heavy. Fikre knew exactly what I was looking for and pulled the most beautiful dress out of their workshop which is in the next room not on display. As soon as I put it on it just made sense and that was it. These guys really care about what they do, they will work tirelessly to make you happy. Yes they can create a custom gown but not for one second did they try and coerce me in any way other than what I wanted. Things to help persuade you: -If you are scared of looking like a sparkly marshmallow, come here, nothing is cheesy or overdone. - If you can't imagine spending thousands of dollars on a dress you'll wear for 5 hours, come here. Their prices are extremely reasonable for the quality, attention and care you will be getting throughout the process. - If you want to be comfortable on your big day and want a dress to reflect your confident, amazing self, do yourself a favor and drive, train, bike, fly over. I would be their spokesmodel if I could. Thanks to everyone for all you have done, wishing you big things in the future! read more

This place was definitely not what I was expecting for a "cotton collection" - also, the location in LIC is a little sketchy. The second I walked in I felt comfortable and amazed about how pretty these dresses looked... almost every single one fit like a glove. I was helped by Fikre, who made me comfortable and explained everything regarding fabric, price, whatever. I ended up not getting a dress from here mainly due to the fact that they were a bit out of my price range. I was trying to stay within $1,500 with tax, but the majority of the dresses I tried on were $1,550. Total bummer because the dresses were really beautiful. Would definitely recommend coming here for someone with a budget around that price point. read more

My new husband, my parents and I cannot say enough good things about the Cotton Bride. Coming into the dress search, I knew what I did NOT want: to be the bride in the cupcake dress or stiff boning who looks like the magazine covers but cannot breathe or get around comfortably on her wedding day. I wanted to be the bride who felt like herself--at her best--and was able to hug, dance, and leap around if the spirit moved me. I tried a few other dress places that were all wrong for me (a popular gown chain, a charity designer trunk show, etc.) but stepping into The Cotton Bride felt right from the first instant. NOTE: don't be fooled by the industrial neighborhood...things look very different behind the studio door! Chris and Fikre's studio is a clean, open, comfortable space that lacks completely in clutter. The impressive variety of cotton wedding dresses line three walls, while a mirror for the bride extends across the fourth creating a clear focal point without distractions. Fikre-- who manages things-- is warm, worldly, attentive, and lighthearted. Chris-- the designer-- is focused, sarcastic (in the best way) and oozing with talent. They could not be more different, yet they make the perfect professional team. Since the kind of dress I thought I would want didn't look right on me, they patiently helped me piece together the elements of different dresses that worked on me, with a few of their creative touches to finish a dress all my own. The design we settled on was the perfect balance of classic, romantic, comfortable and (somehow still) stunning. The dress turned out so beautiful that Fikre and Chris ended up naming it after me and adding it to their line! If that's not personalized service, I don't know what is. Worth noting that I live abroad, and was still able to get my fittings exactly when I needed them (during each visit home) thanks to The Cotton Bride's availability and flexible service. Even my final fitting worked out, which we had to squeeze in a mere two weeks before the big day. Bonus: after the wedding you can wash your cotton dress at home with Woolite or get it dry-cleaned. No fancy dress cleaning required! Bottom line: Every promise was met, every deadline was kept. For a very reasonable price relative to today's wedding gown market you can get a fantastic (gorgeous and comfortable) dress from The Cotton Bride, and you will be treated like a person. That goes for brides, mothers of brides (plenty of dresses at CB for you too!) and any guests who come along. read more

I just wanted to write a Yelp review to thank Fikre and Chris at The Cotton Bride for the wonderful, personal bridal appointment this weekend. I really appreciated their patience with my mom and me. I can honestly say that the Cotton Bride offers the best bridal experience of any store in New York. I didn't want their time/effort to go unnoticed. I absolutely recommend the Cotton Bride to anyone who is looking for a dress for their wedding. read more

My experience at the Cotton Bride was great! Fikre was very genuine, nice and helpful. We had trouble finding the location (a giant truck was parked in front of it) but I called and he came right out and showed me to a parking spot right in front. The dresses were beautiful. I'm a low maintenance chick so this place was great. Just a wonderful experience overall. A very intimate and enjoyable experience. Not like those outlets where there are a million brides all around. It's just about you. For those ladies who are sick of the cookie cutter dresses with all kinds of sparkles and whatnot, this place is for you. Give it a shot and you wont be disappointed! read more

I can't say enough wonderful things about Chris and Fikre and my experience at the Cotton Bride. I reached out to them because I liked the idea of having a natural fiber cotton dress and being able to support a local business based in Long Island City. They have a marvelous range of dresses and the question was never "can I find a dress I like" but rather "I love them all! How can I choose one?!" Chris, the designer of The Cotton Bride line, was there while I was trying on dresses, and when a black evening gown caught my eye he started sketching out a beautiful white wedding dress in that style on the spot. I was delighted to have an individually designed wedding dress and it looked amazing! Fikre is also wonderful, very friendly, professional, and answered all of my questions. He was very honest with me and helped me make decisions on the material, etc. of the dress to help me stay within my price range. I loved having Chris there while I was initially trying on dresses and then coming in for fittings later, and I always felt confident that the dress would be well suited to my body and style because he had so much personal involvement in the process. Fikre was always quick to respond to my emails or phone calls and was simply a pleasure to work with. The dress looked FANTASTIC and it was very comfortable, I was able to dance as much as I liked! Once again, Chris and Fikre are a splendid team, they have a range of beautiful dresses in many styles, and their interactions were always friendly and professional. They made a possibly stressful process of selecting a wedding dress into a fun experience and I'm delighted with the dress I wore. I can't recommend them enough! read more

I could not have imagined a better experience than the one that I had at The Cotton Bride. I had a very vague idea of what I wanted. Chris and Fikre managed to take the elements that I wanted, and combine them with things that I never would have pictured myself in, in order to create the most beautiful and perfect wedding dress. The attention to detail was amazing, and the experience was so personal. I cannot thank Fikre and Chris enough. read more

I was terrified of looking for a wedding dress but Chris and Fikre made the experience so pleasant and easy. They were so helpful and friendly and I loved my dress so much. It was part of the reason I couldn't stop smiling on my big day. Thanks to you both!! read more

I loved The Cotton Bride. I visited 5 different wedding dress stores, and Cotton Bride was definitely my favorite experience. Fikre & Chris made me feel very comfortable, and they made it fun. Chris was sketching, while Fikre draped fabrics around me. I loved their dresses, and I thought it would have been amazing to have a dress that was designed and sewn in Long Island City. I did end up picking a dress elsewhere, but I would still highly recommend Cotton Bride! read more

From my fiancé... I found The Cotton Bride on Yelp and based on the great reviews and the cute name, I made an appt. I'm glad we drove there because the place isn't in a great neighborhood. I walked up the steps and was greeted by Fikre (the man I had been emailing with), he was very nice and showed us to the showroom. Then the designer came and introduced himself, I was a bit confused as to why I needed a designer but since this was my first dress shopping experience I didn't question it. The Cotton Bride seemed like they didn't want me to try on wedding dresses but instead were pushing more towards having a dress made for me... They asked me to try on some regular evening gowns in burgundy, green and brown... At that point my parents and I were just confused and my mom was sort of annoyed and just wanted to leave. I didn't walk in wanting a dress made for me and had I known, I would not have wasted anyone's time. I felt like the whole visit was sort of awkward because they just expected us to have something made. In the end Fikre basically said, you should just go to david's bridal... Don't come here if you want to try on dresses that are made, they really just want you to spend the money on a custom dress. Also, just an FYI there weren't any women here, so no help with putting dresses and on, luckily my mom was with me. I would not recommend this place, there are so many other/better wedding dress boutiques in NY. read more

The perfect place to find the perfect dress! I love this place. One stop wedding dress shopping with superb customer service! Class act!!

We just had our wedding in Bahamas a month ago and I've been meaning to write this review for awhile because I was just so happy with the dress and the overall experience working with Fikre and Chris and the Cotton Bride. My dress was gorgeous and people couldn't stop talking about what a great fit it was for our beach wedding and it was made uniquely for me based on what I wanted (some lace incorporated on the top, a light chiffon skirt that looked beautiful blowing in the wind). Dress shopping initially can be very stressful but they were never pushy and once I decided I wanted to work with them to create the dress, the process was so catering and they are so genuine and passionate about what they do. I couldn't recommend this place more for future brides to be and hope they look back on their wedding pictures and feel as happy about their dress as I did! read more

We first discovered THE COTTON BRIDE just over two years ago when one of my four daughters was looking for a wedding gown of natural fabric that would allow her to dance up a storm at her upcoming summer wedding. Valerie didn't want to melt into a pool of sweat! We found The Cotton Bride on the internet and made an appointment. We drove up to their unassuming door, easily parked, climbed the stairs, opened the door and gasped with delight. Hanging before us were rows of the most beautiful diaphanous cotton bridal creations, gorgeous, unique, filmy, lacy, understated and magnificent all at the same time. Wow. We had seen too many poofy, heavy, and expensive gowns in NYC that had all started to look the same. At last! This room filled with custom-designed wedding gowns was just what we had been seeking! But this was only the beginning. FIKRE AND CHRIS ARE AN ABSOLUTE DREAM TEAM. Putting all of Val's favorite aspects together, they came up with what they now call "The Valerie" gown. (You can look it up and see it on their website.) Together they helped Valerie design and create her perfect dreamy wedding gown. When it was time for my next daughter's wedding, you can bet we headed right back to The Cotton Bride! Chris and Fikra beautifully refurbished and upgraded my wedding gown using all the original appliqués and lace ribboning until it was absolute perfection for Naomi, a new heirloom to treasure. Genius Craftsman and Artistic Designer Chris built not only one, but two muslin frames for Naomi to try on, just to see which one she would prefer. Who does such a thing in today's world?! Only The Cotton Bride's perfectionists, Fikre and Chris, who want to make sure that the Bride is totally Happy with her wedding gown! I CANNOT RAVE ENOUGH ABOUT THE COTTON BRIDE! Fikre and Chris compliment each other totally, giving of themselves with patience, time, care and creative ideas. They pay 100% attention to every detail of everything! As well my other daughters and I found the right dresses to wear thanks to their help. The weddings were not local and all kinds of arrangements had to be made to accommodate our needs (including Facetiming some of the wedding fittings with one of my non-bride daughters serving as the model!) and finally shipping the gowns. Everything went smoothly... nothing is too much trouble for these two wonderful and professional people. If anyone wants to know more about my perfect experience, having gone through the wedding gown search four times, just ask Fikre or Chris for my contact information and I'll happily share my experience and photos with you! Their honesty, vision, creativity and genuine care cannot be fully conveyed in these words. These two are simply the best there is and their results, their gorgeous, dreamy wedding gowns, are also THE BEST THERE IS! Thank you, Cotton Bride!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joan (also Brides Valerie, and Naomi and sisters of the Brides, Daphne and Melanie) read more

These guys are the best. Really. They are known for their all natural, gorgeous cotton dresses, but I came to them with a somewhat unusual request. To make for me a replica of an insanely ornate, almost Victorian looking dress. Fikre and Chris did not hesitate to take on the job, and produced an absolute one of a kind dress that I will wear on my wedding day next week. Also, not only did they create a gorgeous dress, these guys were so kind and caring and concerned that I got exactly the dress that I wanted. They gave plenty of time and attention to all of the details, and without any of the pretensions of a lot of the bigger dress / design houses and bridal shops. They're fantastic, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone! read more

I am so grateful to Chris and Fikre for making the dress shopping experience so enjoyable. Walking into the Cotton Bride, the first thing that struck me was that I was the only person there, and that Chris and Fikre were not rushing me at all. It made the experience so calm and let me just enjoy trying on the dresses! The Cotton Brides' dresses are simple, sweet and light. They're unique to begin with, but also highly customizable, for little extra cost. Chris and Fikre really work with you to fine-tune the details. My wedding was in CA and I had my dress shipped to me when I moved in December. I did not need any additional tailoring for my wedding in March; it fit perfectly. Bonus: you can totally swing dance in these dresses. read more

I live in Western Canada, so I don't know if I'll EVER be able to make it to NYC to actually see the store in queens, but their website is clean and easy to figure out, and not only are the dresses beautiful but they look comfortable too. I will DEFINITELY consider buying my wedding dress from the cotton bride. read more

Why go anywhere else for a wedding gown? For my 2nd daughter's wedding we found The Cotton Bride, where the most stressful moment was trying to pick which beautiful gown of many that she tried on would be the ONE she'd wear. No problem--designer Chris Kole started sketching and listening until she had the gown of her dreams drawn on paper that day. This same gown was skillfully created and appeared at her fitting. No detail was overlooked. No detail was too small. We were never rushed. Chris's assistant Fikre was a constant source of information, good suggestions, and helpful feedback. I remain amazed at Chris's talent in getting fabric to do exactly what he envisions. It's like he wills it where to go and it stays put. Her dress had a very deep plunge in front and back but the fabric did not gap. It was truly made for her--not cut from a pattern and altered to fit. The wedding moved from Hawaii in October to Virginia in January (the groom was on active military duty) and the dress stayed the same but a gorgeous matching stole was added. It was perfect. This was a very stark contrast to my 1st daughter's experience at the retail store of a bridal line with a sterling reputation. There is no comparison to the personalized service at the Cotton Bride, at any price point, and their prices are amazingly affordable. This place is well worth the trip and we are very glad to have found them! read more

The Cotton Bride - Dress & wrap from The Cotton Bride - Bridal Near Me - Long Island City, New York

The now-mister and I met at The Corduroy Appreciation Club on 11|11|07; I made him a cape, he made me blush by confessing he had a corduroy crush on me. So when we decided to get hitched on 11|11|11 - the date that most closely resembles corduroy EVER - it went without saying that we'd be clad in the fabric of our lives. But... a corduroy wedding dress?! Short of Renaissance Faire finery, there existed NO off-the-rack solution. Was such a thing even doable? And who could I possibly recruit to take on such a curious challenge? It seemed I was dreaming an impossible dream until I met the fabulously talented Chris Kole and his fantastic business partner/wingman, Fikre Ayele, at The Cotton Bride. Once I assured all involved that my desire to marry (and be photographed at all angles) in corduroy was in earnest, it was ON! Gorgeous fabric samples (soft! ecru! wide-wale!) were procured and I got to twirl about the CB studio in my own little runway show; trying silhouette after silhouette as Chris put pencil to paper. The dialogue with Chris and Fikre was open, excited and comfortable. We talked it ALL through; what I wanted, what looked good, what was possible with such an unusual bridal fabric and what they envisioned. And the vision was big! But why not? If you're the girl marrying in corduroy, you go BIG! People all around me expressed amusement and a healthy dose of doubt, "You're getting married at the Corduroy Club? So are you going to wear a corduroy wedding dress?" "Yes!" [crickets] I crossed my fingers. I was enthralled with the sketches but it was still a vision on paper. I was nervous but beyond confident in Chris and Fikre's abilities and enthusiasm. Then, a few weeks later, Chris invited me to the studio to see the meticulously hand-sewn bodice and I fell utterly, completely in love; amazing detail! Flawless craftsmanship! A few more weeks and Project Corduroy was complete, and a fitting was scheduled. The resulting dress was nothing short of SPECTACULAR; vintage Hollywood glamour with a textured twist. Completely handmade. Perfectly tailored. All class. Jaws dropped all around. Prospective brides, listen here: Chris and Fikre know how to make a girl look good. I put my complete trust in their expertise, had a fantastic time throughout the entire process AND ended up looking pretty foxy on 11|11|11. What more could a bride want?! I cannot recommend The Cotton Bride more highly. (Ever see a corduroy bride? http://gothamist.com/2011/11/14/photos_corduroy_appreciation_club_o.php#photo-11) read more

I went to the Cotton Bride last week with my mom, sister, and two best friends. I met with Fikre, who was so helpful in choosing styles that worked best for my figure. He was so attentive to my personal style and really tried to find a dress that would work for me. He was definitely professional and knew what he was talking about. He had many options for me to try on, both in my size and smaller. Nobody helps you in and out of the dresses you are trying on, so I would recommend going with someone to help you do that. Highly recommend :) read more

My experience at the Cotton Bride was wonderful!!! Fikre and Chris are an amazing team!!! I can't thank them enough for my beautiful wedding dress!!! If you are looking for high quality and personalized attention, this is your bridal shop. This was super important to me while I was searching for a bridal shop. I wanted a dress made just for me. That would fit me perfectly. And it does!!! I can't wait to wear it on my wedding day in a few weeks!!! Fikre and Chris made me feel like a part of their family. read more

I live in Philly, had my wedding in Texas and got my dress in NY. It felt crazy in my head, but when I was in Chris and Fikre's hands, I felt totally calm and confident. They helped me find the right dress for my personality, my wedding day and my ethics. They were so responsible, on top of things and above all fun to work with. No shame, no pressure, and NO PROBLEMS! On top of all this, my dress was SO original, affordable, and comfortable (mostly.....the temp during the wedding was 112 degrees, so the only thing more comfy would have been inappropriate for a wedding). ;o) My favorite memory is when I had to almost cancel a fitting because I couldn't get anyone to watch my cute little dogs while I came to NY for the day (and they were just puppies at the time). Fikre demanded I bring the dogs in and he watch them while I try on the dresses. And then he demanded that I come back with them again because he loved them so much! But truly the most memorable moment was when my husband saw me in my dress and almost dropped to the ground (also could be attributed to the surprise horse for our photo shoot). Either way, I HIGHLY recommend the Cotton Bride, Fikre and Chris, and hope you do too! read more

I got married back in November of 2013 ... I can't even begin to explain how blessed I am to have found these guys! Without Chris and Fikre my wedding would've never been the same!! Everything was done efficiently and on time. They are such good people and a pleasure to do business with. My wedding dress is indescribably gorgeous. (At least to me it is!!) :-) Once I tried it on, I fell in love... and Fikre was always so helpful and sweet. Chris of course this wouldn't have been possible without you. My veil was perfect- I know it took him forever to put all of the little bling gems on but he did it all for me..really went above and beyond with all of the little add ons I wanted :) it was perfect!! I highly recommend going to The Cotton Bride to help find you the dress of your dreams!!! don't waste your time with other places...this is where you want to go!!!! xoxo read more

We really waited until the last minute to plan our elopement in the Teton mountains of Wyoming. We had five short months to select a location, acquire our attire, and get the photographer, officiant, chocolatier, and florist on board. I looked at thousands of dresses online by designers we've all heard of and tried on about 40 dresses before arriving at the Cotton Bride's studio. This was the best decision we made regarding the wedding. As I walked around the studio selecting which dresses to try on with the friendly business manager's (Fikre) assistance, I was certain that it was the worth the 7.5 hour drive. Even on the hanger, each dress had a unique personality. The fabrics are soft, come in a variety of shades of ivory and white, and are not stiff like most other dresses comprised of man-made materials. The lace is gorgeous, and it made the dresses look timeless and expensive. If you love lace like me, Chris has mastered the use of this fabric. It is cut so that it flatters your figure, hangs appropriately, and flexes with your movements. There were a number of dresses that were suited for the more trendy bride that keep pace with what is current in magazines, but I was going for something that would look ageless decades from now. I had no trouble finding many dresses that fit this category, but it was very hard to leave with just one. When I got dress number one of Chris's vast collection zipped up, I glanced in the mirror and knew that this was the last few hours I would spend searching for a dress. Despite knowing this, I took up the entire time allotted to me because I had such a fabulous time with Fikre and Chris. I was truly blown away by the craftsmanship and artistry. My grandmother had hand-made garments and quilts for 8+ hours a day for over 30 years so I had high standards for the fit and construction, and they were greatly exceeded at the Cotton Bride. If you want to hide, accent, or diminish certain body parts or create a shape that you don't have, you will undoubtedly find a dress here that will make you feel beautiful and more importantly, unique. Fikre is marvelous at helping you select a dress style that matches your body, your personality, the wedding's setting, and the mood that you are trying to create. I was very impressed with his keen eye in that he could easily identify when a dress was too long or short in the waist for me, if a dress overwhelmed or flattered me, and what type of bust best suited the slope of my shoulders and my size. He created different necklines on dresses using pins and clipped up the bodice so that I could temporarily see how the dress could be tailored to fit my body. Every time he would clip it up, I would exclaim that it looked infinitely better. You will not find someone with Fikre's attentiveness, abilities, positivity, and patience at your average dress shop. I had a hard time deciding which part of my personality I wanted to channel in the wedding dress, but luckily my fiance and Fikre were both sold on one. Chris then altered the bustline and back of the dress by creating a more dramatic scoop, and I was sold. It was timeless, looked like a handmade antique, and had just a touch of sexy. Perfect! I walked out of the studio grinning from ear to ear and have not looked at another wedding dress since. I truly love my dress, and I loved feeling like "the only bride" for a short period of time in Chris's studio. The experience that you will have there will be one of the best parts of your wedding. Aside from my one day spent in the studio selecting a dress, I went back for a fitting shortly before the wedding. As expected, the dress was stunning and fit perfectly. I still can't believe that I was able to acquire an exquisite, handmade dress in just a few months. Compared to every other dress I saw outside of Chris's studio, I feel like I stole it from him at his pricing structure. The dress was not cheap by any means, but the value of the dress far outweighed what I paid it for it. The price was well under what I imagined I would have to pay for a gorgeous, intricate, finely constructed dress, and I would have readily paid three times the price for it. I got a dress, a priceless experience, and a sketch of my dress that Chris made that I will treasure for a lifetime. On a customer service note, I have had no problems reaching the Cotton Bride by email and phone regarding scheduling, where to park, and where to eat, and everything occurred according to schedule. I had my dress shipped to my workplace, and it arrived perfectly safe and without creases. I highly recommend the Cotton Bride collection, the studio experience, Chris Kole, and Fikre. read more

I thought finding a vegan wedding dress was going to be difficult, until I found The Cotton Bride! Before going to the studio, most of the wedding dresses I tried on felt like a halloween costume and were unflattering. My experience at the studio was wonderful, the studio was clean and comfortable. My appointment was one on one with Chris and Fikre who were so helpful and really listened to my ideas. I liked almost every dress which made it difficult to decide, then Chris ended up designing my gown. The Cotton Bride has an impressive selection of gorgeous cotton, organic, and vegan friendly wedding dresses to choose from or you can design your own! I do not live in New York, it was very easy to fly in and head straight to the studio. Fikre and Chris are very flexible and easy to work with. I cannot wait to wear my dress! Thank you Chris & Fikre!!!!! read more