Be naturally stunning in one of our gowns!

Explore our Collection     or     Have it Custom Made.

Upcoming Events:

Gown Gallery Trunk Show- May 24-25, 1901 Main St, Kansas City.  By Appointment.  See, touch, try on, or have your own custom creation designed!

Kelly Gallery Runway Show- May 30th.  Models in Janay A Eco gowns in a beautiful outdoors setting. (flyer below)

Bella Patina – June 2nd.  Runway show featuring Janay A (flyer below)

 Their story…

Nikole and Amy met in 2004 at Nikole’s coffee shop, became friends, and watched each other grow throughout their twenties.  In 2009, Nikole hinted towards dating multiple times and finally went out on a limb and sent Amy a text saying, “I can’t help but be curious to if I could give you butterflies that would carry you away?”

All photos by Morgan Miller of Cornerstone Photography

Janay A Handmade was recently featured in the Pitch, along with In the nation’s couture capital earlier this month, along with 3 other Designers… full article here.

“Teisha Barber realized that Kansas City Fashion Week had arrived.

Barber, executive director of the KC event, was in New York to attend Fashion Week. She says: “I was hearing, ‘Oh, we’ve heard of you guys’ and ‘You all are doing some fabulous stuff.’ ”

She credits Midwestern designers, 30 of whom are set to bring their best work to the local five-day fashion marathon. Kansas City Fashion Week returns February 27–March 3 with its 2013 spring showcase. The runway dazzle goes down at 28 Event Space. (See kcfashionweek.com for tickets.)

Here’s a look at four Kansas City designers who are putting our city on the fashion map.

Designer Janay Andrews, Photo by Brooke Vandever

Hopeless romantics, prepare for Janay Andrews’ bridal collection to whisk you away to a place where mad, effortless love swirls with subtle surprises and organic whimsy. You know: the South of France.

Andrews was there to attend a client’s wedding when she found inspiration for her runway look. “I’m going for simple elegance,” she says. “Like, it’s after the party, and you have this beautiful, careless look after dancing in the night.”

This is KC Fashion Week’s first bridal show, and Andrews — a designer of custom, eco-friendly wedding dresses — is also new to this event. She has been designing since 2005, though, and she plans to move her studio and shop from midtown Kansas City to Mission this spring.

Andrews says her collection this week is a fashion-forward, conceptual take on her typical work. She’s elevating her look with chunky jewelry, a bold color palette and texture-heavy pieces. Her clean, focused designs are usually made-to-order, and she loves hidden pockets, colorful tulle, open backs and art-nouveau screen printing. She uses only natural, organic fabrics — often a silk-and-hemp blend. She dyes with tea to turn dresses a champagne color.

“I’m very passionate about sustainability, and I definitely feel like the way you live your life should reflect what you believe,” she says.

Janay A Gowns, Photo by Brooke Vandever

“I want to use my work to make people more aware of their impact on the environment and give people a new perception of natural and organic. Ecofriendly weddings go beyond burlap. I also want to show that bridal does not mean stuffy or homespun. I’m certainly not your grandmother’s dressmaker.”

Photography Credits (in order): Amy Zumwalt Photography, Ampersand Photography, Tracey Robillard Photography, Jose Villa Photography, Ampersand Photography, Melissa Perella Photography, Meg Wilson Photography

1. Clarify: Define your aisle style.  Collect images, labeling each with what you do and don’t like. Consider what will look best on you over what is the trend- those wedding photographs will be with you for life (80′s puff sleeves, ’nuff said).

2. Time It: Most dresses are made to order, so it is advisable to begin shopping 6 months- 1 year in advance.  Shop only when you are ready to find and buy it.  Finding the dress of your dreams and later discovering that it’s no longer available is the fast track to a bridezilla-worthy-roar.

3. Where to go: Research bridal shops in your area- but also consider unconventional options like vintage shops, wearing a family heirloom wedding dress, or having your gown custom made (especially if you are a budget, eco-minded, or alternative-taste bride).  Wherever you go, make an appointment first!

4. Who to Bring: Hit the town, but don’t shop with too big of a posse.  What happened to the bride who brought 12 people shopping with her? Epic meltdown. Limit your guests to 2-3 whose opinions you value.

5. Prep for It:  When trying on wedding gowns, bring a strapless bra, hair tie, shoes of the approximate height that you will be wearing, and if needed, a shaping garment like spanx.  Most importantly, bring a smile on your face. Being nice goes a long way for having the best experience.  You get what you give out- capiche?

6. Find It: In most designer salons, you are going to be brought dresses to try on.  Have an open mind about trying on, all dresses look different on the hanger.  Taking suggestions about what styles suit you can lead to finding the best dress for your shape.  Don’t hesitate to clarify your’ vision if you are not seeing what you want.

7. Make It Yours: Get your gown professionally altered and customized (1-4 months prior to your wedding date).  Personalize your gown by add a belt or fun accessory.

You’re set.  Rock that aisle, girl!

And ohhhh… the flowers!

 Photos by Morgan Miller of Cornerstone Photography.  Flowers by Andy Newcom.

We love that the stylish couple had a natural backdrop for their nuptials, too… Stephanie says “We looked for venues but couldn’t find one that fit what we wanted, so my parents were supportive enough to let us invite 200 family and friends to their house. The ceremony was in their field that over looked the pond.” LOVE that!

Bride says: “A wedding does not have to cost thousands of dollars nor does it have to be filled with expensive vendors. I wanted something simple and enjoyable because what was most important was just marrying Scott… And of course wearing my gorgeous dress that I love so much!”

The Vendors:

Design by Janay A, with bustier bodice, off the shoulder sleeves, and a flowey skirt.

Thanks to M/E Photo Studio for capturing my sketches!