Edith Élan is an independent bridal designer based in the United States whose creative soul are the designers Gretchen Anderson and Lourdes Castañeda. The gowns are designed with a keen attention to detail so that each dress is a perfect balance of modern sophistication and vintage charm.
So then, who is Edith Élan?
"Edith Élan is strength. She is style. She is vivacity. She is energy. She's an embodiment of who we are as a brand, and a reflection of our brides. She was created for the bride with élan." - Gretchen & Lourdes
And while Edith Élan is neither of the designers, she is simultaneously both of them. The name itself came about after a long day of brainstorming. It's both an homage to the place where Gretchen and Lourdes met, and to an extraordinary woman who, in her own right, was a pioneer in her field.
All Edith Élan designs are made to order in the United States. They are available for sale at select stockists across the country.
A BRAND FOR THE BRIDE WITH ÉLAN
Edith Élan brides possess style and confidence. They exude a joie de vivre. They are enthusiastic about their life’s passion and are filled with an eagerness to do it.
THE EDITH ÉLAN STORY {AS TOLD BY GRETCHEN & LOURDES}
We started Edith Élan in October of 2014. But that’s not really where the story starts. We met our Junior year of college at Philadelphia University (now Jefferson University) where we both studied Fashion Design. As students, we came to rely on each other for support and advice, which we still do to this day in running Edith Élan. It was during our Senior year that we talked about one day starting our own company.
After graduation, we went our separate ways, but we still kept in touch. In the years before launching Edith Élan, we each held various positions in the fashion industry. At one point, we each were bridal consultants! Those invaluable experiences and the hands-on education that came with the positions, along with our unique design aesthetics, became the foundations for the brand.
In 2014, we both found ourselves at a point in our lives where we were ready to start a business. It was a “right place and right time” kind of thing. But why bridal? As Gretchen likes to say, “I wanted to do women’s ready-to-wear and Lourdes said ‘No.’” So after some back and forth, we decided on bridal. And like the saying goes, the rest is history!
PICTURED ABOVE The female design duo behind it all: Lourdes (left) & Gretchen (right)
