Press Release
By Fashionista
Redefining 'Mother of the Bride' Wedding Fashion
During her 20 years in the bridal retail space, Flora Petakas noticed an essential segment of clientele being underserved at best, ignored at worst.
“Once we were finalizing the bride’s [dress] decision, the mother would come to me and ask — confidentially, away from the bride, so as to respectfully not take any time from her appointment — ‘Where can I go for myself?,'” says the Union Square Couture founder. “I never had the right answer.”
The wedding dress shopper’s trusted confidante, often the mother (we’ll get to semantics in a bit), can peruse restrained evening wear in department stores, visit boutiques in-person, filter through a staggering sea of choices online. More often than not, though, the offerings are less than inspiring.
By The New York Social Diary
The Two Faces of Fashion
Cooler, yesterday in New York with temps dropping into the mid- and even low-60s where after a raft of warm days, at first it seems “chilly.” Furthermore the weather forecasts are talking about very hot days plus storms. Variety is the spice of life.
Last week JH and I had one of our occasional lunches at Michael’s where we discuss our business and activities. After lunch we continued our conversation while walking up Madison Avenue taking in the traffic and activity on one of New York’s snazziest streets when it comes to commercial (fashion and food) activities that draws its audiences from the Upper East Side, including Fifth and Park Avenues.
By Fiancee Bodas & Eventos
Anne Barge New York y Flora on Madison abren boutique en Nueva York
Inaugurada el 14 de junio, la tienda de 1,600 pies cuadrados en 766 Madison Ave., ofrecerá vestidos de novia en la boutique de Anne Barge y más de una docena de marcas exclusivas de ropa de noche en la boutique de Flora on Madison, en ambos casos solo con cita previa.
En un año en el que las bodas están en auge, Anne Barge New York y la firma Flora on Madison marcan el regreso a las bodas y las celebraciones festivas. Shawne Jacobs, presidente y director creativo de Anne Barge, con sede en Atlanta, y Flora Petakas, neoyorquina de toda la vida y propietaria de la feria de novias de lujo de Nueva York, Union Square Couture […]
By the Wedding Style Magazine
Wedding Dresses Come to Madison Avenue
Shawne Jacobs, President and Creative Director of Anne Barge, is bringing the Atlanta-based bridal fashion label to NYC. As of June 14, 2022, Anne Barge has joined forces with Flora Petakas – lifelong New Yorker and owner of the luxury bridal trade show, Union Square Couture – to bring a fresh, luxury bridal shopping experience to Madison Avenue. Their new partnership comes in the form of an eveningwear boutique located at 766 Madison Avenue, which offers designer gowns and bespoke service.
Although Anne Barge and Flora on Madison is under one roof, they are two separate businesses, each available to clients by appointment only.
By the Wedding Style Magazine
Anne Barge and Flora Petakas Open Bridal-Eveningwear New York Store
NEW YORK — Magnolias and olive branches adorn the bannister that leads up a flight of stairs to the new Anne Barge New York/Flora on Madison store. The sunlit Upper East Side boutique is a venture between the Atlanta-based Anne Barge bridal company and the multivendor eveningwear specialist Flora Petakas. The natural accents along the staircase hint at Anne Barge’s Southern heritage and Petakas’ Mediterranean sensibility. As the owner of the bridal trade show Union Square Couture, Petakas is also well-versed in that sector.
By the Bridal Council
10 Questions with Partner at Union Square Couture Flora Petakas
1) Where did you get your start in Bridal? Who have you worked for in the industry?
Bridesmaids! Erica Arkin hired me for Vera Wang Maids more years ago than I want to admit. She and Chet Hazzard mentored me and challenged me. It was my big career “break.” Badgley Mischka, and then ML Monique Lhuillier, were both licensees with JS Group. I’ve been very lucky. I was trained by the best.
2) What made you decide to start Union Square Couture? How long ago?
A few seasons ago several emerging international designers approached me to consult and advise them on how to pave the way in the US bridal retail market. At the same time, I met my business partner David Gomez Pearlberg. We were both talking to the same designers! We joined forces. It was a perfect storm.