Text Sauline Kojababian Photo Armen Poghosyan, Tigran Tovmasyan

Here Comes the Bride

As I walk into an extension of her enchanting world, a pretty girl with a big smile checks me in. I tour the store and patiently wait to meet the woman behind some of the most talked about wedding and evening couture gowns in mainstream media. Out comes artsy-intellectual Armine Ohanessian, owner and designer of R-Mine, wearing a royal blue top with yellow-tip nails to match. As she studies me carefully, “petite you are” she says and continues with, “I can tell you have a simplistic style, “I see you in this one,” she says, pointing out a beautiful white dress with hints of powder blue that virtually screamed my taste. Thus began my two-hour fashion crazed interview.

R-Mine

In bold red letters, her shop sign, “R-Mine” decorates the busy street of Ventura Boulevard. Funny enough, Michael Jackson wrote “Billie Jean” while cruising down this very street. Located in Studio City, one of the most affluent cities in Los Angeles, R-Mine has grand curb appeal. Tall glass doors invite shoppers in to a modern décor wonderland. “When a bride-to-be walks into R-Mine, I want her to automatically feel hip and different. I have my daughter’s art hanging from the walls, which shows my creative side and that there is an artist beyond a store setting. I want to be chic, unusual, and edgy,” she explains. Inside, mirrored closets play with the colors of the walls which are painted a shade lighter than Tiffany Blue. Red chairs accent an avant-garde red chandelier that hands from the ceiling. “Every bridal store has crystal chandeliers, the one I have – I found in my neighbor’s trash can.

It was all rusty and my neighbor mentioned that it would be so much work to bring back to life, but I took it home anyway and painted it red. I wanted red because I am such a color freak. The chandelier completely changed the image of the store,” she says. One of a kind pieces drape across the store with a variety to satisfy any woman’s taste.  Brides that work with Armine and her staff experience a completely unconventional take on wedding dress shopping. Instead of cataloging through countless dress options that make one’s head spin. Armine believes in a slightly different approach. “If a bride doesn’t see something she likes in the store, I can create it. No need to try fifty thousand dresses- trust me and believe in my work,” she says. With a keen judge of personality, she can precisely recommend what kind of dress will suit her clients.

Armine

Some people just have the magic touch, whatever they envision works out beautifully. This is indeed the case with Armine; she is as interesting and unpredictable as her characteristically bold glasses. With an education in arts and fashion design, this multi-faceted designer does it all: she paints, she travels, she buys fine art and, of course, she creates. “I was born to see color,” she says, “I look at a dress as a palette of paint or a canvas.”

Graduating from the Fine Art University in Yerevan, Armenia and continuing her education at the Los Angeles based Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising proved more difficult than one would think. “It was not suggested for me to be an artists because it wasn’t a steady job. Being a scientists daughter, I did try to choose something more practical. For a while, I thought about attending medical school, but my imaginative side took over and pulled me back in,” she explains.

Working in fashion can be as glamorous as a 1940s Hollywood party but, at times, can have its stressful downfalls. In this dwindling economy, Armine manages to stay afloat by sticking to one motto: tuck away the ego. “I think every business is cutthroat – you just have to be the best at what you do and be able to do everything yourself. I don’t take shame in saying I do a lot of my own work.”

The R-Mine Bride

The perfect wedding atmosphere starts with a stunning bride. The sound of the organ plays, guests turn as sunlight illuminates a beautiful figure walking down the aisle revealing a smile behind her bouquet. The groom stares with awe. Aside from picking out the ring, Armine makes these dramatized movie scene clichés a reality for her brides. From one-on-one fittings to personal calls from Armine herself, the R-Mine bride wants an experience to remember when it comes to her wedding dress. Women who come to Armine have a classic yet glamorous touch to them. “An R-Mine bride has a strong personality. She is exceptionally unique, sophisticated, and alluring. She chooses R-Mine simply because she wants a one of a kind dress tailored just for her,” she says. Wedding planning can be stressful for brides. Armine has had her share of “Bridezillas” throughout the years. “I try to give as much of myself as I can, but they are going to be frazzled regardless. Sometimes they scream and yell, but half an hour later, I get a phone call with a dozen apologies. It always ends up working out at the end,” she explains.

Distinctively R-Mine

Not too long ago, Armine carried a wide selection of couture designs by Rivini, Marchesa, Kenneth Pool, and Pronovias. “I wanted to take the store to another level. The designers I carried, I loved all of them, but what I bring to the table is something very different. Even when I did carry other designers, I created my own on the side. I also don’t believe in designing a collection for every season or every six months – every two weeks, I have something new,” she says. The magic starts in the design room. Armine and her staff sew each bead and meticulously attach each button by hand to create the ultimate customized dress for her clientele. Her touch is especially unique: modern but always rational, artistic, but never over the top. “I love Chanel. I am a Jean Paul Gaultier and Alexander McQueen kind of girl. I love crazy fashion,” she laughs as we discuss our favorite designers. Every designer has their strong point, for Armine it is her understanding of fabrics. Having worked for International Silks and Woolens, the largest fabric distributor in Los Angeles, Armine can easily identify a fabric’s composition worn on the runway from her second row seat.

“I can’t do it all the time because it’s very expensive, but I love working with gazar. I also love handmade lace – I use yards of lace from Italy made by skilled Italian women. I like fabrics with movement and texture,” she explains.

Continuously creating, Armine also designs hair accessories and has a ready-to-wear collection under wraps. As a businesswoman, she wants to organically grown the R-Mine line into three or four fashion boutiques. A vast expansion is not on her priority list. “I see the brand going further. I have a vision in a lot of things – I want to do everything,” she laughs. Naturally, a woman who travels the world attending countless couture runway shows can be classified as a trend expert. According to Armine, the modern bride wants more color. Green, pink, blue, and even black is incorporated into Armine’s latest designs. The current R-Mine custom collection has a lot of assortment from taffeta ball gowns to flirty knee lengths with feather accents. She caters to the taste of each individual client. Every bride wants what they dreamed about as a little girl. As much as Armine follows trends, her success comes from listening to her clients and bringing them one step closer to their fairytale wedding

An astute application of color and distinctive style are all the heart and soul of any successful designer’s line.  With international experience and unparalleled talent, Armine Ohanessian is consistently setting the bar for style and originality.  With and artist’ eye and a knack for creative collaboration, Armine’s dresses are not the work of any dress maker, but a master of her craft.  The ability to register the desires while creatively designing their own gown is a talent that makes Armine Ohanessian stand out in a class of her own.

Raised in Armenia, Armine had an innate sense of refined color expertise.  She could be found sketching and making clothes for her dolls even as a young girl.  She credits her grandmother for her love of art.

Armine began honoring her art at the renowned Fine Arts University in Yerevan, Armenia, where she obtained her degree with honors.  Arriving in the United States, Armine pursued her passion full speed ahead.  While studying at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandise in Los Angeles, Armine worked at International Silks & Woolens becoming an expert in opulent fabrics.  Post graduation from FIDM with honors, Armine began working as the assistant designer for a Beverly Hills fashion house.

After pausing one dream to fulfill another, the birth of her two daughters, Armine opened her first atelier, R-Mine Bridal in Glendale, CA.  Here, she harnessed her relationships both local and international. Her attention to detail and demand of quality earned her the respect of the bridal community.  With her overt knowledge of fabric and design, she became a trend-setting designer renowned for being one of the most astute buyers in the market.

Presently, Armine Ohanessian offers an exclusive, prestigious couture collection in her atelier in Studio City, CA.  Offering progressively evolving designers, her work is being work by celebrity brides and her skills are being used throughout red carpet events in the entertainment industry. With international experience, Armine’s well rounded view on life has given her the understanding to create the dress meant to inspire unparalleled awe.

Hope you all got to see the premiere of “sTORIbook Weddings” on the Oxygen network at 10pm last night.  Tori and Dean did an amazing job planning these weddings.  R-mine boutique was featured in this episode where Samantha’s dress was designed by Armine at R-mine.  We want to thank Tori and Dean for their support and for giving us the opportunity to work with them once again! And we wish Samantha and Steven congratulations and best wishes on their wedding.  Please tune in and check out the encore presentation of this episode.  Check your local listings for times.

Getting excited about “Bridalpalooza” tomorrow! 50 brides coming in to be introduced to Armine’s amazing collection of wedding gowns. Can’t wait to tell you all about it! See more about the event at http://www.facebook.com/drezrehersalEventPlanningCo

R-Mine has been invited to be the exclusive bridal salon for “Bridalpalooza- Los Angeles 2011.”

R-Mine was interviewed by the producer of Drezrehersal Event Planning Co, Kimberly Clark.  Please check out Kimberly’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/drezrehersalEventPlanningCo for a one-on-one interview with Armine!

You won’t believe what’s on sale!  
 
Was in R-mine  the week of Christmas looking for “my perfect dress” for my wedding.  I was thrilled to find out that she was having a sample sale on some of the designer dresses that she carries as well as her own custom designs!  I tried on some beautiful dresses!  And the prices were hard to beat!  I ended up going with a custom designed dress as she is able to make it just for me and for the same if not less than what the designer dress cost.  It’s amazing!  I’m so excited!  It’s going to be a one-of-a-kind dress!

Amongst the lovely and holiday spirited floral arrangements, were  two of R-Mine’s Custom Couture dresses for the opening of Dolce Design Studio, a new floral design studio on Melrose in West Hollywood.   R-Mine was in attendance along with several  wedding coordinators, photographers and bridal magazine representatives.

The minute she put on R-Mine’s custom dress, you could just see she was feeling like the bride she is soon to be!  A list actress, Sara Rue who is soon to be married was just beaming during her photo shoot today for OK! Magazine.  She was fun, friendly, warm, and made her crew and the store staff feel comfortable.  She tried on a couple of other designers but it was R-Mine’s custom dress that made her look and feel so very special.

Angeleno
February 2010

THE COUTURE

A ball gown skirt, hand embellishments, the sophistication of a one-shoulder dress – all elements a modern day princess might wear. But how do you find the one-of-a-kind masterpiece worthy of high society or foreign royalty? Call in reinforcements like Armine Ohanessian, owner of R-Mine Bridal, who is now bringing her versions of couture to life for lucky bride-to-be. From asymmetrical necklines to impeccable detail, inspiration and fruition have no bounds when you put your bridal attire in the hands of Armine. rminebridal.com

Spring/Summer 2010

Uniquely Yours

When the dresses on the racks simply won’t do, there’s only one solution: a custom-made wedding gown. By Nora Zelevansky

As soon as I got engaged, I began to envision my wedding-day self. A fashionphile, I’d be wearing something nontraditional yet classic – perhaps a runway look from Zac Posen or Karl Lagerfeld. I would rebuff bridal shops in favor of the racks at exclusive fashion house on Rodeo Drive and Fifth and Madison avenues. But once my boyfriend had popped the question, I quickly learned a crushing lesson: those silky red-carpet gowns I admired that drip, sans structure, off sinewy celebrities are not forgiving on five-foot-four-inch civilians. In miles of luxurious satin, I looked less like Uma at the Oscars and more like an Oompa Loompa. When I finally gave in and began hunting for a real wedding dress at department stores, I fell in love with a Reem Acra number that made me look like a character in a Jane Austen novel. In a period of bridal lunacy, I bought it, returned it and five minutes later was second-guessing my decision. This was not the delightful quest for the perfect dress that I had imagined. My search eventually hit a dead end. It was too late to order from the bridal shops I’d snubbed. The dresses at sample sales all looked the same when viewed from an endless line of hysterical customers. Vintage options were limited. Then, two months before my wedding day, a miracle happened. I called an industry-insider friend and lamented, “I’m dress-less!” she brightly suggested, “What about custom?” And so began the happy ending of my wedding-dress story.

DRESSMAKER, DRESSMAKER, MAKE ME A DRESS

Fashion houses like Chanel and such bridal heavyweights as Vera Wang create drool-worthy couture gowns, but with brides with short timelines, realistic budgets and/ or a desire for a more creative collaboration, smaller gown-making operations are ideal. My industry friend, Harmony Walton, Of the Bridal Bar in Los Angeles, sent me to R-Mine Bridal, a Studio City boutique run by Armine Ohanessian, who had recently shifted her focus from high-end retail to mostly couture dressmaking after more than fifteen years in the bridal business. Over champagne and mini cupcakes, Ohanessian, in her signature horn-rimmed glasses below the dark-brunette fringe, discussed with my mother and me the look I wanted to achieve. She explained that her gowns generally range from $2,000 to $20,000 (mine would cost $5,500) and can take between eight months and a year to create (rushing is possible but discouraged). I had eight weeks. The clock was ticking. I immediately surrendered my manila folder of “inspirational” pictures: Oscar dresses, runway designs, old Hollywood starlets and beautiful textures and patterns. Because most of us are not versed in dressmaking lingo, communicating our vision verbally can be difficult: one woman’s “flounce” can be another woman’s “ruffle”; one’s “demure” is another’s “Lady Gaga.” Visual references, therefore, are invaluable. R-Mine also carries a heavily edited collection of gowns from Amsale, Melissa Sweet, Elie Saab, Valentino, Kenneth Pool and other established names. As an artist, Ohanessian would never copy existing designs, but having me look through the selection provided her with some visual and tactile cues. I pointed out a simple Oscar de la Renta, for example, which helped her understand my stripped-down taste (as opposed to her embellished aesthetic). Personality figures heavily in Ohanessian’s designs as well, so she asked me lots of questions, especially about my art-world background (my mother is a contemporary-art curator; my father is an artist). “Then you’ll be open to the more avant-garde!” she said enthusiastically. Hmm…maybe?

WAIST NOT, WANT NOT

Like marriage, commissioning a dress that exists only in the mind’s eye is a leap of faith, so due diligence in choosing a shape is key. Eons into my search, I encountered an essential truth: there are but five silhouettes, and for each woman only one or two work. Even if you’re Heidi Klum. Especially if your not. That said, brides must try them all, because what’s flattering proportionally is often counterintuitive. A busy girl, I’d never have chosen strapless, but a heavily boned, corseted top was narrowing. I assumed that my high waist should be hidden by an Empire cut, but a ”natural” waist slimmed me down. This was thrilling: I desperately wanted a mermaid silhouette, inspired as I was by retro vixens like Veronica Lake and Jessica Rabbit and by an old photograph of my maternal grandmother in the mid-1930s. In the picture Grandma is wrapped in an emerald green getup that hugs her hourglass figure. Ohanessian promised to build me a mermaid gown with proportions to balance my top and compensate for my lack of bottom. But at the follow-up muslin fitting, the dressmaker shook her head. “The seam at the waist is foreshortening,” she said. “It looks unfinished.” I was aghast at the idea of a change. At this point, a stitched waist seemed as essential to the dress as food to my survival (albeit less food than usual in the run-up to my big day). I had yet to realize that a good bridal dressmaker has a gift: she can instantly register unusual proportions and inadequacies and thus correct them in the creation. The expert, it turned out, was right.

COLOR ME BEAUTIFUL

With silhouette and shape set, we marched to a sewing room awash in organza, Mikado and French Chantilly lace. R-Mine carries only silk fabrics–including Ohanessian’s own, locally made materials–each suited to a different season, price and draping. Although stitched taffeta puckers more than satin and can have an almost crumpled look, the effect felt youthful and less formal. To continue the textured theme, I chose edgy gazar (like frayed cheesecloth) for the elaborate bottom ruffle. Luckily, some was in stock: the rare fabric can take six months to order. As for hues, I didn’t even know that white was a color. In fact one must choose between gradations of pure white, ivory and vintage-like cream. I practically had an out-of-body experience as I heard myself utter the words “ivory taffeta would be perfect.” After all my anti-traditional-wedding-gown protests, I’d be head –to-toe in ivory taffeta? Why, yes, I would.

FITTING IN

Once the basic skeleton was created, I returned regularly to R-Mine to fine-tune the sizing and detailing, from the pleated bodice flaps (which shifted about 500 times) to the fower-inspired bottom pouf. Ohanessian’s straightforward approach to design inspired confidence and (admittedly) a little fear, but I didn’t always cave. Though we compromised on a few elements, I sometimes fought for a simpler vision; the dressmaker loves beading and adornment. And despite my long décolletage, Ohanessian eventually agreed to make the neckline more plunging. After all, what would Jessica Rabbit do? The final fitting was scheduled within one week of my event to accommodate inevitable pre-wedding weight loss. That day, I slipped on my accessories – iridescent Loeffler Randall heels and my grandmother’s diamond and ruby bracelet – and slipped into my dress. At last this dreamy art project was complete; we had created a mermaid-shaped gown to suit the particulars of my frame and my taste alone. The result was heavenly. Even more than gorgeous, the dress was comfortable. That’s the beauty of a custom gown: it fits like a glove and doesn’t require a single shaping undergarment, not even a bra. Wearing a look that reflected my style, I felt like an elevated version of myself, with hints – I hoped – of my grandmother’s elegance and my mother’s edge. On D-Day, guests gasped at the flawless piece. And now, whenever I show off pictures, other brides-to-be ask where they can find it. My answer is always the same: “I’m afraid you can’t.” The final benefit of a custom-made dress: it is one of a kind.