Brides-to-be in the Turlock area will now have another option when searching for that perfect dress for that special day.
Master seamstress Karalin Sargizzadeh has opened Karalin’s Bridal Couture at 203B S. Golden State Blvd. — the official ribbon-cutting ceremony was Tuesday — and her nearly five decades of experience in the industry will be a boon for brides, and fans of couture, around the region.
“Seamstress, pattern maker, dress maker, alterations … I do it all,” said Sargizzadeh. “Mostly for wedding gowns, but we also do evening gowns. You know, fancy stuff for women; for all occasions.”
Born in Iran, the young, athletic Sargizzadeh was preparing for life in college when the Islamic Revolution of 1979 erupted. Ayatollah Khomeini rose to power out of the revolution, and that eventually lead to the state’s years-long closure of universities for the Islamization of the curriculum.
Suddenly in need of a new career path, Sargizzadeh met Hazak Hocopain, one of the top dress makers in Iran, and began learning the secrets of the fashion trade.
At 26, she left Iran for the U.S. and soon found herself in San Jose, working on costumes for the American Musical Theater, and Opera San Jose.
In 2013, with a sluggish U.S. economy, Sargizzadeh moved to Turlock.
“I had many relatives here,” Sargizzadeh. “And when I came here, I started my studio out of my garage. I have the shop now, but I still have my little studio, too.”
Customers can select off-the-rack gowns, receive in-house alterations, and browse for custom couture creations.
Karalin’s Bridal Couture is open by appointment only, with appointments being offered from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Sargizzadeh’s children — daughter Shimen Ghazial, an ER nurse in San Francisco, and son Shan’t Ghazarian — both are involved in the business.
“This is a different world from my regular job,” said Ghazarian. “ It’s been nice to have that change, having it on the side. But I’m always helping and always on the phone, crunching numbers, so it’s like having two full-time careers, essentially.”
So, while Ghazarian takes care of business operations and logistics, Karalin can focus on sales and alterations.
“This is my dream,” said Karalin. “I’ve known this is what I wanted to do since I was a young girl in Iran.”
