Philanthropy
romance.nostalgia.poetry in cloth.
Fashion and Philanthropy: In selecting our Designers, choosing our products, and handcrafting our wears we always remember what and who we stand for. How something is made, by whom, when, and where is not just in our consciousness, but it is our purpose. The driving force behind how we work to operate our business, to earn for ourselves the privilege to give, is found in our philanthropic pursuits. How we give is consistent with how we earn.
how is it made…
The best way to support an Artist or a Designer is to invest in them. At Gee June Bridal we have built our product mix to support local, national, and international Designers, both mainstream and indie. Sixty percent of our product mix is made by Designers in the USA who have sourced resources and materials from the best talent in Europe and Asia. One hundred percent of our accessories are made in America, with seventy five percent of our accessories made in New York. Our product made overseas is done so with integrity, guaranteeing free trade humanitarian practices, and/or designed by Designers who began in Upstate, NY. For us, business is personal. We guarantee that our gowns and accessories are of upmost craftsmanship in selecting Designers who have chosen not only a business, but the people in the business first.
Made in America:
At Gee June Bridal we represent the Claire Pettibone and Rebecca Schoneveld collections. Claire Pettibone gowns are designed and constructed in Downtown, LA using European fabrics made by family owned mills throughout the countrysides and cities of Europe.
The Rebecca Schoneveld collection is designed in New York and made between New York, Hong Kong and India with 40% of her collection guaranteed as made in the USA. Rebecca Schoneveld is transparent in her production: Where each piece or gown from her collection is made and why is readily known by her shop owners and Brides.
To Note: All of our accessories, our handmade veils, headpieces, jewelry, shoes, and shawls are made in the USA! More, most are made locally! Please visit our Accessories folder to learn more about our American and New York made adornments.
Global Village:
The best bead work is done in India. The tambour technique is thousands of years old, all of our Designers honor the integrity of this craft by having highly skilled Artisans in India to create their intricate patterns of bead embroidery throughout beaded gown and veil motifs.
Made in China and/or Hong Kong:
It is well understood that much of our clothing is Made in China and has been for over 30 years. The positive in this: We have 30 years experience in both production and diplomatic relations with the East to help us sophisticate our supply chains to be efficient enough that we may successfully reevaluate their nuts-and-bolts to be better for the people, environment, and our commerce.
Fusion lines represented at Gee June are produced between Hong Kong and Taiwan.
sustainability…
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. At Gee June Bridal we represent capsule collections of gently used sample gowns, curated vintage, and custom gowns and accessories made from re-purposed fabrics in an effort to reduce waste, reuse materials, and recycle past designs!
Reduce:
To be a Maker is to experiment. Our independent designers take the risk of creating a design and putting it out into the world. Some designs ‘make it,’ some designs don’t. Those designs that don’t make the cut may be ahead of their time, truly unique and hard to reproduce, or simply specific to a certain sort of Bride looking for something exclusive and unseen.
At Gee June Bridal we host a collection of sample gowns from our independent designers, some straight from the runway, that we sell on a consignment basis for our Designer. In turn, we donate 10% of the sales to The American Rivers Foundation. Why? Because we recognize the importance of investing in and inspiring clean water energies. Millions of gallons of water are used to create our clothing and dresses, this is our way of giving back to what we are all responsible for helping to preserve.
Reuse:
In the beginning, Gee June Bridal set out to make heirloom and heritage pieces. This pursuit inspired us to gather antique fabrics, vintage clothing, old lace tablecloths, hankies, trims, beads, buttons, and unfinished cross stitch designs. Over this last decade our vintage closet has grown strong enough that we can sustain a collection of custom garments made in-house using all we have found. Reusing the ‘old’ to create something ‘new’ to us, is the future we create in the present, while honoring the past.
Recycle:
Designers are really just mature Collectors at heart. In collecting to find our inspirations and references, sometimes we stumble upon articles of clothing too great to take apart and remake. In this, Gee June Bridal has a small collection of curated vintage that may be styled into a new look. If fashion is replaceable then style is the art of recycling, reinventing, and re -imagining a piece into new existence.
community…
To work hard is to contribute so that one can belong. At Gee June Bridal we work to contribute our resources, ideals, and to share our knowledge with our community and co-workers.
Prom Dress Drive
In 2019, Gee June Bridal began hosting a Prom Dress Drive. The purpose was to ensure that everyone wanting a Prom dress was able to have one. Our first drive we collected 51 gowns that we cleaned, steamed, and repaired for a Downtown Prom Dress Party in Downtown, Ithaca. We sold the gowns on a pay-what-you-want basis and donated the money collected towards alteration services for those who needed it! Going forward, Gee June Bridal will continue the Downtown Ithaca Prom Dress Drive in collaboration with Breathe, on The Commons, in Center Ithaca.
Child and Family Services
A spin off of Gee June Bridal’s Downtown Prom Dress Party was a Mother’s of the Wedding Dress Drive. Proceeds collected from the sale of Mother of the Wedding dresses, available at Breathe on The Commons, are donated to the Child and Family Development Services in Downtown, Ithaca. Donated Mother of the Wedding Dresses are collected and shared by Breathe. Dresses are available to be purchased on a pay-what-you-want basis on a continuing cycle.
Collaboration
Gee June Bridal regularly consults and contributes to new and established venues and wedding committees to share our knowledge in producing bridal showcases and fashion shows. To date, Gee June Bridal has helped coordinate, on a volunteer basis, over 100 bridal showcases, fashion shows, and styled shoots, for local businesses and promotion.