Tulle and feather skirts poke out of the entrance to Carmen Creation, a family-owned boutique specializing in handmade Victorian-inspired dresses for women and girls. It's impossible to miss the store at 321 1/2 Olympic Blvd., as onlookers constantly "ooh" an "ahh" while passing by Carmen's creations. Carmen has been sewing Victorian couture dresses and accessories for over 24 years. Each gown is one-of-a-kind, and often times custom made to order. Every aspect of the design and manufacturing process is directly overseen by Carmen herself; she picks every fabric and applique used in each design. In fact, most of the fabrics used are hand-dyed, and detailing is so important in the creation of each piece that on average a dress takes an entire day to make.
Carmen specializes in flower girl, Christening, and Quinceañera gowns. Wedding gowns are available for custom order, as are First Communion dresses and costumes for plays and theater productions. Carmen's costume work has been featured on shows such as So you think you can dance? and American Idol. She's also dressed A-list celebrities, the likes of Heidi Klum and Jennifer Lopez!
A self-taught seamstress and designer, Carmen began her career in interior design creating Victorian inspired home accessories. However, creating art has always been a passion of hers. As a child in Mexico, she taught herself ceramics and has been creating ever since. We don't think she's ever looked back.
What we love about Carmen is not just the obvious passion she has for her craft, but the love she sews into every piece. Every one of her dresses tells a story. Whether it be a fairy tale, a love story, or the simple beauty of a new beginning, she has the perfect dress for every special occasion.
Carmen Creation
321 1/2 Olympic Blvd.
213-841-6162
321 1/2 Olympic Blvd.
213-841-6162