Designer Julia Berkhofer at work researching one of her bridal gowns.

Costume designer Julia Berkhofer has spent her life in search of the ones that got away—dresses that is! Her father, accomplished 19th century historian, George H. Berkhofer, brought history to light for her from the time she was born. It was in pouring over his library of Moore’s Irish poems and bound Godey’s Lady’s Book magazines that the sublime beauty of period fashion first made its impression upon her.

Drawn to the theater at an early age, she became a costume designer, earning her degree from the University of Cincinnati’s acclaimed College Conservatory of Music. While living in Chicago, she was asked by a number of friends to design their wedding dresses, using her costuming skills. With every new client, it became more apparent that modern women had a desire for exquisite gowns that evoked a romantic sense of history: a gown to bring out the beautiful . . . and timeless . . . heroine in each of their lives. In filling this need, she has not only found her niche as a designer, but feels that she fulfills her brides’ truest desire for the perfect wedding gown—the one that won’t get away.