Jennifer began her creative journey working in opera and theater costume shops on the East Coast and West Coast – learning from and apprenticing with creative, experienced, and artistic crafts persons along the way.

Costume shop teams work in groups of four – Patternmaker, First Hand (assistant to patternmaker) and two seamstresses. Jennifer started as a seamstress, then became a First Hand. Under the capable guidance of her Patternmaker, her first patternmaking opportunity was to create a leather doublet, a far cry from the wedding gowns she makes today, but still a wonderful challenge in creating a beautiful garment with intricate details.

“Theater and opera costuming was an absolute joy to do. The mentoring that goes on in those shops is truly generous and in the interest of carrying the craft forward to the next generation. I loved the period costuming that I was involved with – La Boheme with all these gorgeous fitted women’s jackets, Shakespeare productions with corsets and crinolines and fantasy costumes, making corsets from scratch with many, many seams and boning. The research was very concentrated as well and so fascinating. We studied historical drawings, photos, and actual garments from the period to learn how to recreate the look. All of that knowledge and skill I learned early in my career has translated very well to creating gorgeous wedding gowns today,” ~ Jennifer

Jennifer then headed to Hollywood, creating custom, couture clothing and high-quality costumes for films, television shows, and many private clients.

She worked closely with talented costume designers on numerous productions, and learned from many brilliant and gifted artisans – people who had been working in Hollywood costume workrooms for decades.

“The costume designers and dressmakers! What amazing people. They came up with wonderful ideas, great designs. They were great problem-solvers, making the actor look fantastic in spite of his or her figure flaws. They were clever, kind, and discreet. They were so creative with materials. I saw every type of fabric being used, including things like fish-skin, reflective fabric, fireman’s reflective tape, heavy upholstery, leather, silks, super luxe beaded chiffon and more.” ~ Jennifer

In Hollywood, she worked her way up the ladder of the costume/wardrobe workroom by starting as a seamstress, becoming a First Hand and then a Patternmaker in her own right. Finally, she became the youngest Costume Workroom Supervisor in her union, the Motion Picture Costumers, Local 705. She served on the Executive Board, Contract Negotiation Committee and was Founding Chair of the Education Committee, which still stands today.

A move to Maui in 2001 resulted in a new direction for Jennifer – wedding gowns, bridesmaids and special occasion dresses.

Instead of a film industry, Maui is known for weddings. She decided to focus entirely on wedding and special occasion gowns, and created a custom wedding gown business in the islands. She creates beautiful gowns for creative brides.  She also provides her services as an alteration specialist for brides who already purchased their gowns.  In addition, she works with bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and groom, and occasionally the groom.  Her background in costuming included training with some of Hollywood’s top tailors, so she is able to provide tailoring services on wedding suits as well.

“In Hollywood, I was known as the person to call upon to make beautiful dresses for the actresses.  So, moving into wedding gowns on Maui was a natural, easy transition.  The brides are the stars, rather than the actresses, and I love working with the brides!  They are full of joy and happiness and it’s the most important day of their lives!  I love helping them fulfill their dreams of the perfect dress.” ~ Jennifer

The bustle of Denver attracted Jennifer to bring her business to the city.  She acquired a sewing studio in the vibrant historic Highland Square neighborhood,  and began cultivating client relationships in the area.

During her time there, she and her two assistants served 100 brides, bridesmaids, and mothers of the bride and groom, providing custom dressmaking to create new gowns, and couture alterations on beautiful gowns by designers such as Galia Lahav, Claire Pettibone, Jenny Peckham, Liancarlo, Matthew Christopher, Naeem Khan, Robert Bullock, Anne Barge, Carolina Herrera, Lela Rose, and more.

Denver was an exciting place to be.  There was so much going on, and so many great connections being made in the city.  There are excellent bridal shops in Denver with amazingly beautiful gowns for the discriminating bride.   It was wonderful to be in that gorgeous state and have the opportunity to work on incredible gowns. ” ~ Jennifer

Jennifer and her family returned to Maui in 2016.

She lives there with husband Craig Mullins, a movie concept designer, illustrator and artist, and their two children. Jennifer enjoys supporting philanthropic causes and education on Maui.  Her interests include Becca’s Closet, King Kekaulike Foundation for the Performing Arts, Maui Humane Society, Assistance Dogs of Hawai’i, Book Trust, Roots School, Montessori School of Maui, Seabury Hall, Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center, Haiku Ho’olaule’a and Flower Festival, and the Haiku Elementary School Foundation.

• Motion Picture Costumers, IATSE Local 705, Hollywood, California
• Association of Sewing and Design Professionals, United States
• Maui Wedding Association, Maui, Hawaii
• Maui Wedding Creatives, Maui, Hawaii

EDUCATION

• Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles – Apparel Manufacturing Management
• London College of Fashion – Professional Patternmaking