Kleinfeld Bridal

Taylor Wilson

Kleinfeld Bridal Women from all over the world know this name. If not for its virtually unmatched

selection of designer bridal gowns, the New York City shop has

become a household name due to its 7-year, 13-season run on the hit

TLC show, Say Yes to the Dress. (Brooklyn Paper, 2005) But before

Kleinfeld Bridal Manhattan was known as the wedding dress

destination, it had a much more humble beginning on Fifth Avenue in

Brooklyn. (Edelson, 2005)

Founded by Hedda Kleinfeld Schacter and Jack Schacter in 1941, Kleinfeld remained owned and

operated by the couple and their family until they sold to a French investor in 1990. Through a series of

other sales, the store ended up in the hands of M*A*S*H actor Wayne Rogers, businessman Ronald

Ronnie Rothstein, and fashion business mogul Mara Urshel. Between their

countless years of business experience and Urshels massive knowledge and

influence in the fashion industry, the business exploded into the bridal mecca

that it is seen as today. (Brooklyn Paper, 2005)

In 2005, after successfully opening their first Manhattan branch, a bridesmaid-oriented location

called Kleinfeld Bridesmaids Loft, the beloved bridal shop announced that they were moving from their

Brooklyn location to a much larger, more accommodating location in the Chelsea neighborhood of

Manhattan. Within a year of the big move, TLC (The Learning Channel) approached the shop with the

proposition for what would become the worldwide hit series, Say Yes to the Dress. (Edelson, 2005)

After a 2007 pilot season that lasted only one month and 6 episodes, Say Yes to the Dress returned

year after year, now totaling almost 250 episodes spread across 13 seasons. (Say Yes to the Dress Wiki, n.d.)

Due to the popularity of the show, the need for additional

marketing quickly dwindled- the already booming business at

Kleinfeld increased substantially, and what started out as a small, family-owned boutique became a bridal

emporium selling over 10,000 gowns in a year. (Crotty, 2013)

The Kleinfeld of today is known around the world not only for their role in

SYTTD, but for their superior stock and service. The 30,000+ square foot

showroom- where every day is like a trunk show- features hundreds of

designers, including some Kleinfeld exclusives, such as the world-renowned Pnina

Tornai. (Kleinfeld Bridal, n.d.) The team of 250 staff members serves over 17,000

brides in a single year, spending 1.5 hours with each and every one during a

standard appointment. (Crotty, 2013) While they obviously aim to please a

target demographic of young, high-fashion brides (particularly in the

Manhattan area), the brand has expanded from strictly bridal gowns to

bridesmaids, menswear, bridal accessories, and a full alterations department

headed by alterations manager Vera Skenderis. (Say Yes to the Dress, n.d.)

Gowns range from just below $2,000 to upwards of $40,000. Pictured to the

right is a $32,000 Pnina Tornai gown, one of Kleinfelds most expensive pieces to date. (Crotty, 2013)

Kleinfeld Bridal built its empire on a small boutique feel and providing undivided attention to each

bride that walked through the doors of their tiny Brooklyn shop. Although their space and notoriety have

both increased massively, the brand continues to dedicate themselves to the individuality and satisfaction

of each of their brides. With a continuing promise to be with brides every step of the way, they still strive

everyday to impress brides from around the world, and bring the standards of gown shopping to entirely

new levels. (Kleinfeld Bridal, n.d.) From a brownstone in Bay Ridge to a Manhattan mecca, Kleinfelds

superior service, selection, and- lets face it- celebrity has made it the top pick of brides for the last 75

years. So whether youre a bride-to-be looking for your dream dress, or- like me- just a bridal-obsessed

fashion major with an immense love for everything tulle, Kleinfeld is a destination sure to impress.
 References & Photo Sources

Brooklyn Paper. (2005, May 28). Retrieved January 22, 2016, from
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/28/22/28_22kleinfeld.html
Crotty, N. (2013, June 11). KLEINFELD'S FASHION DIRECTOR DISHES ON DRESSING 10,000 BRIDES A YEAR.
Retrieved January 22, 2016, from http://fashionista.com/2013/06/kleinfelds-fashion-director-
dishes-on-dressing-10000-brides-a-year
Edelson, S. (2005, May 26). End of a Long Affair: Kleinfeld Leaving Brooklyn. Retrieved January 20, 2016,
from http://wwd.com/globe-news/retail-features/end-of-a-long-affair-kleinfeld-leaving-brooklyn-
573409/
Kleinfeld Bridal. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2016, from http://www.kleinfeldbridal.com/index.cfm?pid=8
List of Say Yes to the Dress Episodes. (n.d.). Retrieved January 22, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Say_Yes_to_the_Dress_episodes
New York Times. (2008, January 19). Retrieved January 20, 2016, from
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=jacob-schachter&pid=101493801
Say Yes to the Dress. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2016, from
http://www.kleinfeldbridal.com/index.cfm?pid=Say-Yes-To-The-Dress
Say Yes to the Dress Wiki. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Say_Yes_to_the_Dress
Skoniecke, J. (2015, October 19). My Love/Hate Relationship With 'Say Yes to the Dress' Retrieved January
31, 2016, from http://theodysseyonline.com/purdue/love-hate-relationship-say-yes-to-
dress/189190
Yelp. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2016, from http://www.yelp.com/biz/kleinfeld-bridal-new-york-2