Brand: Bari Jay Roles: Co-Presidents Bari Jay was born out of a special friendship between Howard Bialick and Bruce Cohen. “Our dad, Bruce, was in sales in the garment center and was offered a partnership by Howard, who loved him like a son,” say Susan Parker and Erica Cohen Rosenfeld. “Howard handled production, and Dad handled all sales, merchandising, market weeks and retail.” When Howard died, Bruce was uncertain about continuing the bridesmaid dress business on his own. With the unwavering support of his wife, he rose to the challenge and embraced his role as the leader of Bari Jay. This theme resurfaced in 2008 when Parker and Rosenfeld
Gisele Del Busto & Annia Lopez Brand: Maria Elena Headpieces Roles: Fashion & Sales Director, Marketing & Communications Director
Maria Elena Headpieces & Accessories came to life when hands-on mother Maria Elena Fuentes designed a hair accessory for her daughter’s wedding. The elaborate, one-of-a-kind piece caught the attention of friends, sparking an idea that would become a booming business. Two generations later, Maria’s granddaughter, Annia Lopez, is set to take over the business along with Gisele Del Busto, who has been with the company for over 17 years. The design studio has been Lopez’s playground and second home since childhood, a place where she has had the freedom to create her own designs and voice her opinions about others. “I always felt a spark when speaking about my grandmother’s business. It made me 42
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realize my true calling was to continue her legacy,” she says. Looking to the future, Lopez and Del Busto aspire to expand Maria Elena’s global presence, making the brand synonymous with unparalleled craftsmanship. They hope to not just stay on top of bridal trends, but set them. “Our design process is collaborative and intuitive, often drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as art, culture and nature,” says Del Busto. Speaking of nature, Del Busto says they are also committed to fostering sustainable practices, helping the bridal industry become more responsible and ensuring that their creations become cherished heirlooms.
found themselves at a crossroads after their father’s death. Again, with their mother’s guidance, they carried the business forward, leveraging their knowledge of finance and public relations to modernize Bari Jay while honoring its core principles. “Like our father, we watch all of the awards shows and stay close to the runway,” they say. “We maintain the same small, familyrun environment while keeping up with trends.” Guided by their company motto, “making memories,” the sisters’ ultimate goal is to remain a family business that helps others create cherished memories. Hearing stories from those wearing Bari Jay has been especially meaningful, as it reinforces the bond they share with their father. One of the best pieces of advice he imparted was to always be good, honest and fair. He was, in their words, “one of the best.”
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DESIGNERS
Susan Parker & Erica Cohen Rosenfeld