Interview with a Gown Specialist

Renee Barnett: Store Manager and Gown Specialist Extraordinaire

I would like to introduce you to all of the Camarillo Bridal Babes...so I thought I would start this week with Renee since she is currently our longest standing Babe.  She will give you a little insight into what it is like being a Gown Specialist here at Camarillo Bridal. And also what it's like being Renee Barnett.

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Tabitha: "What is your favorite color?"

Renee:  "Red.  As you can see by the hair...and also shoes that I have.  I just really like it.  I like bold."

Tabitha: "You are bold."

Renee: "I am, I am"
Tabitha: "It's true."

Yeah. There was no hesitation.  Red is DEFINITELY her fave color.  I also know this because she has, in fact, said to me before, "Is this red lipstick ok?  Is it too much like all my other red lipsticks? Or is it too circus?"  It wasn't.  It was Renee Red...a.k.a. Gorgeous.

 This is when Renee received the Camarillo Bridal Babes Yearbook Superlative 

"Most Like to Succeed"

T: "How long have you been in bridal?"
R: "Oh my goodness. <extremely long pause and also a slightly scared look which can be translated as "Holy crap I'm giving my age away" or as "Oh crap I have to add."> I have been in bridal on and off for about 12 years.  I started at a boutique in the valley then I worked with a designer for a while.  Then I took time off to have babies and then I found this tremendous opportunity with Camarillo Bridal and I have been here for 3 years!"
T: "That's...amazing."

T: "Do you have a current favorite dress?"
R: "That's a hard one.  I think Fiorella by Maggie Sottero.  It's a one shoulder,  it's curvaceous, the material is wonderful.  The color is really really rich...it's the alabaster and it's not something you see a lot, it's unusual."
T: "Is there an all-time favorite dress or dress style?"
R: "Ya know, I still am a huge fan of sheer sleeves. I am waiting to find a dress that is off the shoulder with long sheer sleeves...not like weird Lord of the Rings type, but something elegant and sexy that is off the shoulder showing the collar bone."
T: "Nice I love it."

We (Renee and I) got all dressed up for the 

 Grand Opening of the new location of Camarillo Bridal!

T: "What is the best part of working in bridal?"
R: "Ya know,  I know that I am not a firefighter saving lives, and I'm not a teacher enriching young minds but I think my job..there is an importance to it because every girl needs a dress. I tell people all the time that the bridal industry and the funeral industry are fairly recession proof...people always need us. But honestly the best part is knowing you're playing a fairly pivotal role in a girl's life even if only for a few months while she's planning her wedding. I think that is what is just really heartwarming for me."
T: "I'm gonna cry!"
R: "I love being a girl!"

Yes.  Yes.  We actually got that sappy talking about working in bridal together. I knoooowww don't make fun of us.
 

T: "What piece of advice would you give to girls who are searching for their dream wedding dress?"
R: "Probably the biggest thing I can say is to not have your guard up when you come see us because honestly the people who work in a bridal store are looking out for your best interest, at least I know Camarillo Bridal prides themselves on that.  We are not out for the bottom line, we are not out to mess up your budget or your dress, so I would say just coming in with an open mind and view us as your advocate instead of a sales person. Because, yes we are, but that's the not the bottom line, we want to find you a dress you feel extraordinary in. So come with an open mind."

Renee dyeing a pair of shoes in "Dyeing for Color"

T: "So with all these years of finding dream dresses for brides, what would you say is the most interesting story that you have been part of?"
R: "Oooohhh..."
<This is the part where she looks down and you can SEE her contemplating "Do I tell this story?!? How do I handle this?!  Thankfully she proceeds>:
"Ok, I've got a good one. There was a bride that came into my salon on the valley.  Very pretty girl, long blonde hair, thin figure.  She said she was getting married in a Vegas in a couple of weeks so we were going to have to go off the rack and I said no problem.  She wanted something really tight, really curvy. BUT she had a special request....And she told me that while she was in Vegas she was immediately going from her wedding to the adult film awards that were going on the night of her wedding.  So she wanted a dress that she could wear to both events...That was a challenge.  UUuuum...believe it or not we found something for her, it was a halter neckline, kind of a white, and we had our seamstress make the neckline plunge to her naval so it was like a really extreme v neck if you wanna call it that.  And she was able to wear it to both events. I never got to see the finished product.  She said she was up for a few awards so I know it was seen, but by far one of the most INTERESTING bridal experiences I've had!"
T: "That is hilarious. Was she shopping alone?"
R: "No Sugar Daddy was with her....he was about 30 years older than she was."
T: "...fascinating."
R: "Ahh romance! Romance in the bridal world!"

Renee playing the role of "Outraged Bridesmaid" in
"True or False: Every gown needs alterations."

T: "A last questions for you.  Do you like soup?"
R: "Mmmm! I DO like soup!"
T: "Do you have a favorite soup?"
R: "There is a clam chowder, a white clam chowder, from this little Mexican restaurant in Ventura that they serve only on Fridays.  By far the best clam chowder I have ever had."

T: "Thank you for letting me interview you!  Is there anything you would like to leave us with?"
R: "Yes.  Particularly about Camarillo Bridal.  We have been in our new location for about four months now and I am so proud of the store and so proud of our team.  And I can't image myself doing ANYTHING else and I think we have something really unique, and really special here.  I really hope anyone who sees this or comes in for their dress is able to sense the same sense of pride I feel every day when I come here."
T: "That is awesome, thank you!"

Renee and Nichole at the 2 mile point when we all participatedin the 

Camarillo Kiwanis 5k.  The best part of running a 5k? 

Walking it.