Carlucci Designs & My Favourite Dresses

Are you intimidated by that upscale department store? Do you have a big event coming up and can't afford that 4 digit price tag?

Not A Model sat down with Canadian fashion designer Juliana Carlucci and stylist/boutique-owner/dress guru Trisha Mishich to talk gowns and girls. 

Mishich is the owner of My Favourite Dresses, a luxury dress rental shop that offers clients the option to rent international and Canadian designer evening gowns for special events. Trisha dubs her business, "luxury on loan." The shop offers online dress rentals or in-person appointments at her condo in Toronto. The cost of a rental ranges from $50- $300 for 4 nights. "Even if a woman can't afford a designer dress, I want to be able to give her the experience of wearing one," she says. My Favourite Dresses boasts evening wear from Canadian designers such as Marika Brose, Joeffer Caoc and lastly Carlucci.

Carlucci by Juliana Carlucci is an evening dress collection designed by Ryerson fashion design graduate Juliana Carlucci. Carlucci uses imported fabrics for her designs and creates each dress by hand. Her attention to detail varies from hand-sewn silk flowers to Swarovski crystal beading. Her latest gown collection can be rented at My Favourite Dresses or purchased by contacting her directly. The collection (below) is named after all the important women in her life. Carlucci explains that she wants to, "dress the average woman and eventually provide a really good size range so women don't feel left out when shopping."

 

Carlucci (left)

Trisha (left) Juliana (right)

After the interview, we all thought it would be best for me to try on one of the dresses to get the full experience. I chose the "Leah" (rental $155) which is named after one of Juliana's best friends.

As soon as I tried the dress on, I felt glamourous. While it looks 'cutesy' and sweet on the rack, it is anything but. The back is much lower than I anticipated, and it hugged my body like it was made for me. My favourite part is the large fan accent on the front. Below is my gala moment. (Keep in mind I went from schlepy writer mode to red carpet ready with little prep in-between)

You can check out more rentals at My Favourite Dresses on Facebook and for more photos and the full collection check out Juliana at http://www.julianacarlucci.com/