Working Women--The Perfect Dress--Kimberly Wehrbein

Welcome to the first part of my newest series: "Working Women--she works with willing hands," which takes a look at several women in my life who have and do work incredibly hard to help provide for their families--many of them starting their own businesses. 

My hope for this series is to encourage women out there to not only work hard, but also serve and glorify God where ever they are. I hope you enjoy these inspiring stories of these amazing, strong women.

As we sat at her dining room table having coffee, Kimberly Wehrbein and I talked easily about her growing business, The Perfect Dress, based out of West Omaha. Kimberly's passion for styling and designing bridal wear was evident during our conversation.

This woman has fantastic taste and a flawless eye for fashion and design. She uses these gifts to help brides in the choosing, designing, or altering of their wedding dresses. Kimberly's business is a passion of hers. She strives to help her clients find the perfect dress for them, and that can include anything from alterations to design or even vintage restoration. She has a respect for the industry, a heart for the clients, and a love for the art of design.

Kimberly Wehrbein--owner of The Perfect Dress

"To me, it's three-dimensional art; sculpting with fabric."

The prettiness of the business drew her in nearly twenty five years ago as a student at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, where she graduated with honors attaining a Bachelor's of Arts in textile and design. For the next two decades, Kimberly immersed herself in the full spectrum of the industry. She has had experience in retail and selling, buying, designing and styling, and vintage restoration. 

Formal wear, bridal wear, and vintage restoration has become her focus over the years. "I've concentrated on perfecting and fine-tuning my interest in formal and bridal wear," Kimberly said.  Being familiar with the delicate fabrications, laces, ruffles, and textiles of this category of design and how they work together is a lot like painting, she explained to me. "Just like painting, you choose watercolor, oil paints, or pastels when you begin. Designing formal wear is similar. I layer mediums and combine them to make a three-dimensional piece of art."

The purpose of The Perfect Dress, Kimberly's business, is simply to make girls happy. Kimberly offers her brides professional expertise, an honest opinion, and a customized, coordinated look. 

The personal style of the bride plays into her gown as well. "Clothing is so important to who people are and how they communicate that," Kimberly said. "You become a student of the client; studying their mannerisms, asking questions, listening, and watching." Kimberly takes all of what she observes and layers it into a truly eclectic, unique, and custom three-dimensional sculpture.

The Perfect Dress offers alterations, vintage restoration and redesign, as well as custom pieces. She gives advice and ideas on wedding jewelry, veils, shoes, and the other accessories that go into making a bride look absolutely perfect on the big day. "I have come to realize that styling is a lot of what I do. Coordinating the whole look."

Kimberly gains inspiration for the pieces she creates from the brides themselves. She asks brides about their weddings: the flowers, the food, the venue, and even the bride's family heritage.

I asked Kimberly what her favorite part of working with brides and formal wear is. She said without hesitation that it is getting to jump into their lives at a personal part, and serving the people God brings to her. "And because of that," she said, "You make fast friends." Kimberly doesn't shy away from challenges either. She likes the hard stuff, the problems, the unexpected. She enjoys taking a detail that was the low point of a dress and making it the high point.

Brides can expect not only a friend when they come to The Perfect Dress, but also an enjoyable, easy experience. Kimberly is someone who will listen, offer trustworthy help, work with professionalism and integrity. She is someone who offers quality work and style as well as straightforward, honest answers and opinions. "If they ask me, I will tell them."

Kimberly Wehrbein's goal and vision for The Perfect Dress is to glorify God and bless others by using the talents He has given her. She does. The works of art Kimberly has created are truly exquisite. They not only capture the beauty of each woman, they reflect that woman's personality and style, making it the perfect dress for them and a work of art.

Kimberly helped me decide on a beautiful dress out of all the options that are out there! 

My mom (left), me, and Kimberly (right). What a special moment together! 

I was in good hands with the bustle, that's for sure! 

Check out Kimberly's website at www.theperfectdressbykimberly.com or follow her on Facebook!

Kim did an amazing job on my wedding gown--I was so very thankful for her help! It was the Perfect Dress for me! grace & peace Mairin