LGBTQ+ Friendly Formal Wear
BABE. Boutique
Owners: Lambsey Reeves (she/her)
Established: 2020
Services: BABE. helps fill the absurd gap In the mid and plus-size market. We aim to provide a stylish, comfortable, and inclusive shopping experience. We offer a variety of high-quality, comfortable, and chic items for a variety of styles and budgets. BABE. encourages customers to embrace the vision board version of themselves.
Member Statement: “As only one of two mid and plus-size boutiques in Louisville, it is important to support other businesses also trying to make a difference. BABE. is about fashion, but ultimately BABE. is about kindness and inclusivity for all.”
The Couture Closet
Owners: Tera Davis (she/her) and Lauren Montgomery (she/her)
Established: 2007
Services: The Couture Closet offers wedding gowns and wedding accessories for marriers. We offer one on one appointments with a bridal consultant in a comfortable, supportive, and loving atmosphere. We are welcoming and support people of all ages, races, abilities, and sizes. No matter who you are marrying, or what your faith or affiliation may be, we love you for YOU!
Member Statement: “We are passionate about giving every marrier an amazing dress shopping experience. We have seen too many couples or individuals in the LGBTQ+ community feel they will be unwelcome in a Wedding Gown Shop. With Couture Closet, you are always welcome here. In fact, you are more than welcome here. You are celebrated for who you are and who you love! We may not have a wedding outfit for everyone, but if your jam is stunning and unique wedding gowns and accessories, we have that. You will receive no judgment here, just a relaxed and accepting atmosphere.”
Email // Website // Facebook // Instagram // Pinterest // Twitter
Images (from left to right) #1 & #3 by Susan Jordan Co and #2 and #4 by Brizzy Rose and Emma
Elizabeth Crum Bridal
Bespoke bridal gowns and accessories for the adventurous and thoughtful bride
Owner: Elizabeth Crum (she/her)
Established: 2014
Services: Through high-end patterning and sewing techniques Elizabeth designs and creates custom gowns, veils and headpieces, which are textural, evocative and entirely unique. Elizabeth provides a platform for storytelling and an opportunity to immerse a client in the design process from start to finish. She also provides alterations, tailoring, and heirloom gown restoration.
Member Statement: “Elizabeth Crum Bridal is an independent design studio in Louisville, Kentucky offering made-to-order gowns and alterations services. Each piece is designed, patterned, and sewn on location with an emphasis on sustainability and a loving attention to detail. Responsibly and locally made, LGBTQ friendly and size-inclusive, my goal is for brides to feel confident and beautiful in a relaxed atmosphere.”
Phone // Email // Website // Instagram
Image 1 by Crystal Ludwick Photo, 2 & 4 by Winters Photography Co, 3 by Destiny Smith Photography, and 5 by Rachel Lutz for Visionspire
Esi Bani Couture
At Esi Bani Couture we bring your Dream Dress to life.
Owner: Esi Bani (she/her)
Established: 2017
Services: At ESI BANI COUTURE, our oxygen is the sheer joy that radiates from our clients’ faces when they step in front of a mirror wearing their dream outfit that we created, and see themselves transformed in magical ways. We design and make custom wedding and couture formalwear for ALL SIZES, SHAPES, CULTURAL & ADAPTIVE needs. All facets of our services are performed in-house from scratch using fabrics and embellishments from around the world. We also upcycle our fabric remnants & waste to create beautiful accessories and new manipulated fabrics.
Member Statement: “Designing and making original wedding outfits for ALL types of people gives us at Esi Bani Couture such a creative thrill, as we have relished the challenge of stretching our technical skills to make our clients’ dream outfits a reality. That’s the stuff we live for— “painting” all types of body canvases with fabric, thread, inner structures, beads, and crystals, to celebrate bonds of love.
The celebration of lifelong commitment to love is a fundamental grist that nurtures community for all of us no matter who we are, whom we love, where we come from, or what we believe. So, if we say that “Everyone deserves happiness”, then we have to really mean it and back it up practically by serving ALL people with the best of our creative talents. It is a simple affirmation of our humanity.
At Esi Bani Couture, everyone, including people with adaptive needs, is welcome with their wildest, zaniest, or subtlest wedding outfit ideas. We’ll brainstorm, design and custom make it to fit you perfectly on your special day, and at a budget that works for you.”
Founding formalwear members: J. Alan Formal Wear