The name Pnina Tornai probably rings a bell for many of our brides-to-be. This fabulous designer made a name for herself when her jaw-dropping gowns were featured on TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress. As a child Tornai dreamt of becoming an actress but continued on to receive her high school education. The Israel-born teenager continued to chase her dream and enrolled in an acting school in Paris following high school graduation. She was inspired by the people and the fashion and when she returned to Israel with a husband and son, she opened a small store with one seamstress to help her bring her visions to life. They started by making day and evening gowns. In 1992 she made her first wedding gown when a woman came to her asking if she could create a wedding dress that was inspired by an evening gown displayed in Tornai’s shop window. When this woman’s wedding photograph was published on the front page on an Israeli newspaper, other brides fell in love with Pnina’s design.
When you think of Pnina Tornai, you can probably envision silhouettes from sultry to sophistication and ravishing to royalty. Pnina Tornai never ever fails to hit the high note during New York Couture Bridal Fashion Week. Right from the start her Fall 2017 Collection began with a brilliant gown with a Swarovski covered bodice that took the audience by surprise with gasps of amazement, from her satin slip dresses with low necklines, and lace with intricate beading, the start of Pnina’s runway show dazzled everyone. Her organza high-low ballgowns with an illusion back and a skirt with embroidered trim set the stage for more to come. We were treated to more gowns in a fit-and-flare look with intricate re-embroidered lace and illusion necklines, a gown with 3-D floral embellishments, and a laser-cut ballgown with dimensional layered ruffles that filled the runway with regal splender for every royal bride on her wedding day. Each year we attend Pnina’s fashion show and we are always astonished with her ability to hit the mark setting the bridal fashion industry on edge with her looks for every bride from the simple demure silhouette to the Haute Couture Avant Garde.
