Employee Profiles

Debbie Richards

 

Why do you like working in a Bridal / Formal Boutique:
It’s wonderful to be a part of someone’s special day!

Title: President of A Formal Affair Bridal and Formalwear Boutique.

Family: Husband Matt, daughter Catherine, and English Setter Jack.

Hobbies: Running, swimming, Biking, Volunteering as a firefighter.

Educational Background: Bachelors of Business Administration from JMU with Major in Computer Information Systems.

Lisa Miller

 

Why do you like working in a Bridal / Formal Boutique:
I love helping customers find the right dress and I love teaching them why certain dress styles work on their body type and others do not.

Title: English and Photojournalism teacher at Liberty High School.

Family: Mom (Mary Lou), Brother (Rob), and Sister In Law (Morgan). All in Reading PA.

Hobbies: Shopping, reading books and fashion magazines, working out at the gym, watching Project Runway and What Not To Wear, talking on the phone.

Educational Background: I have a bachelor’s degree in English and education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in education and library media from Longwood University.

Style Influences: I love dresses that work well with a brides shape and style and have a unique, unexpected feature of some sort!

Patti Arnoto

 

Why do you like working in a Bridal / Formal Boutique:
I love the group of girls I work with. Though the girls are professional in their work ethic, they make sure to keep the atmosphere fun and friendly.

Title: Formal wear and bridal alterations specialist.

Family: Two daughters.

Hobbies: Soft sculpture dolls (santa’s mostly).

Educational Background: Chaffin Dressmaking School, Lewis Weerburger and Hill Cosmetology School, Northern Virginia Community College.

Style Influences: Loves clothes and styles of the 60’s.

Andrea Gillis

 

Why do you like working in a Bridal / Formal Boutique:
I want to major in fashion marketing. It is exciting to be a part of the bridal experience and find the perfect dress for any occasion. I think that working here is great experience for my future in this field.

Title: Student.

Family: I’m a full time student living at home with my parents and 2 brothers.

Hobbies: Crocheting, running, fashion, and shopping.

Kara Crane

 

Why do you like working in a Bridal / Formal Boutique:
Fashion is one of my options for my future, working here is an excellent experience. I also love working with all the employees as well as the customers!

Title: Student.

Family: My parents are Kevin and Sharon Crane. I have an older brother and a younger sister and a ton of dogs and cats.

Hobbies: Shopping, talking, vacations, reading, pageants, and spending time with my friends and family.

Jillian Morris

Why do you like working in a bridal/formal boutique?

I like to use my detail oriented nature to help ensure brides have as close to a "perfect" wedding as possible. I take great pride in knowing I'm the one helping them through the process because of my knowledge of the industry and my commitment to each and every one of my customers.

Title: NA

 

Family: My parents are Kathy and LeRoy. I also have two sisters, Ali (older)and Katie (younger). I live with my husband Reese and my two dogs Tink, a yorkshire terrier mix, and Rocky a toy poodle.

Hobbies: Running, walking my dogs, and of course shopping!

Educational Background: Graduate of Fauquier High School Advanced Studies Diploma Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University (cum laude) Major in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in English

Style Influences:

My personal style is a mixture of casual and chic. I like to be comfortable, but look stylish at the same time. A celebrity that influences me most is the lovely and talented Anne Hathaway. She's a classic beauty and always looks gorgeous on the red carpet or even in candid photos taken by paparazzi. Her look is polished and put together, but the thing that I love the most is that her look seems effortless. She lets her natural beauty shine.

Jenny Handlin

Why do you like working in a Bridal / Formal Boutique:

I enjoy helping people pick out dresses for that special day/event. you get to help and interact with a variety of different people.

Title: N/A.

Family: Two brothers, one older, one younger

Hobbies: Loves sports both watching and playing. also loves to hike and do anything outdoors like snowboarding.

Educational Background: Attended liberty high school and then graduated from north carolina state university w/ a business admin. degree concentration in human resources

Style Influences: I love kate winslet’s style. I think she always looks classy and elegant. Her simplistic style is always flattering no matter what event she is attending. I try to keep up with all the style trends by reading fashion magazines and tv shows as much as possible.

Sheena Mellinger

Why do you like working in a Bridal / Formal Boutique:
I love working at afa b/c I get to find what looks great on different people and helping them find exactly what they need and want. I love giving a helping hand in their special day!

Title: Applebees as a server.

Family: Only child.

Hobbies: I love to shop!! watch movies listen to music and shop some more!

Educational Background: I went to lord fairfax for an associates degree in liberal arts. I also went to nova to take interior design classes.

Style Influences: My favorite influence on style has to be the many years of watching sarah jessica parker on sex and the city. she is amazing!! I also love to read vogue and watch as many style shows as possible.

Jennifer Dismuke

Why do you like working in a Bridal / Formal Boutique:
I love dresses (wether wearing them, shopping for them or helping others find that perfect fit) and I love picking out styles and designers that our store will carry.

Title: Server at applebee’s.

Family: One younger brother (deceased), one older sister.

Hobbies: I love to read and write. anything involved with art, music, movies and plays, literature, and history really interest me. I’m a jack of all trades and love all subjects of anything. I also love fashion and oddly enough, football ( go skins!!)

Educational Background: I went to liberty high school then attended lord fairfax and nova. I received associates degrees in both liberal arts and interior design.

Style Influences: I love love love sarah jessica parker ( and sex and the city), I always pick up the newest copies of vogue ( usa and usually france’s & australia’s) and I love shopping in vintage stores ( I love 1940’s styles!!) for those classic outfits that never go out of style.

 

Matt Richards

Why do you like working in a Bridal / Formal Boutique:
I enjoy being part of an award-winning team for customer service.

Title: Electrical Engineer and Designated Repairman.

Hobbies: Running, swimming, Biking, Volunteering as a firefighter.

Educational Background: Engineering Degree at George Mason University.

Catherine Richards

Why do you like working in a Bridal / Formal Boutique:
I love to walk on the stage and wear pretty dresses!

Title: Bead Collector.

Hobbies: Dressing up like a Princess.

Educational Background: Preschool.