Justina McCaffrey
Aisle Style

When Justina McCaffrey entered the bridal market in the ‘90s, wedding gowns weren’t exactly considered glamorous. "When I came in it was before Vera Wang," explains the Apparel Manufacturing grad. "I kind of jumped out on a limb, but it’s always good to try things that no one wants to do." Fortunately for McCaffrey and bridal designers everywhere, the industry has shifted and now bridal is taken seriously on and off the runway.

Justina McCaffrey is one of the top five designers when it comes to the bridal market today. Her gowns are regularly featured in wedding magazines such as In Style Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings and Brides. Hollywood has also taken note of Justina and her gorgeous gowns. Director Robert Altman handpicked Justina to create Kate Hudson’s billowy dress in 2000’s Dr. T and The Women starring Richard Gere. Justina designs wedding gowns for numerous notables and dignitaries, as well as women who are seeking high quality design at a reasonable price point. Justina’s gowns range from $2,000 to $5,000. The company’s busy factory in Hull, Quebec creates the gowns, thousands each year. Justina McCaffrey dresses include the tiniest sheath, beaded styles and even big fairytale Cinderella gowns. "I put myself in the character of a bride and I think about what she would want," says the designer who created her own gown when she married David McCaffrey in 1989. All of Justina’s designs carry a strong tie with her love of ballet. Her dresses capture the fluid lines and graceful movements of the art, which are created entirely out of the finest silks in the world.

Justina graduated from FIDM in Los Angeles in 1985, where she studied Apparel Manufacturing. "I had looked at a few schools all over the US and in Toronto and the FIDM group just felt more welcoming," she explains. "They had everything set up to prepare me for my move." Justina specifically liked the fact that FIDM instructors were people with real world fashion industry experience. Justina took courses such as the History of Fashion, Color Theory and Pattern Drafting. In her manufacturing classes she learned about costing, purchasing and selling.

After graduation Justina worked under a prominent designer in Toronto and learned the ropes. While taking some time off to get married and have children, Justina began to create gowns in her attic at home. After fielding requests from friends, Justina decided to officially start a business. With her husband serving as CEO, Justina McCaffrey launched in 1996, when they opened their Sussex Drive flagship boutique and showed at the New York couture bridal market.

Even though Justina and her company are at the top of their industry, the busy designer has taken time out to visit with FIDM students. "It’s good to give people hope," says the mom of three. "When I started out, bridal wear was considered a bit goofy, but I’ve taken something that was unfashionable and I’ve made it fashionable." Justina strongly believes that opportunities can come from anywhere and that they shouldn’t be ignored. "The fashion industry is just so huge with other opportunities," she says. "Think about being a graphic artist for a magazine or a stylist for a photographer."
This alum also credits FIDM President Tonian Hohberg for her strong vision. "By having someone like her as the head of your school, everyone under her is thinking they can accomplish anything. I like that mindset."

You may visit Justina McCaffrey’s website at www.justinamccaffrey.com.

Please Note: The information contained herein was confirmed at the time of original publication