She runs on hot cocoa and nonpareils and is like a kid at heart with her infectious energy and passion for design. Her resume is posh and polished; she came to Lancaster via Paris and Rodeo Drive and today creates a line of bridal gowns (a new design is being made in this shot). She has a flare for theatrical costuming that evolved because she “got bored with white,” which is surprisingly about half of her business. Meet local Style Setter Janell Berte, owner of Posh Bridal.
For someone who works in the fashion industry, Berte explains, everyday wear must be very minimal. For instance, jewelry can be a danger around machinery. “Likewise, I don’t wear makeup or perfume because fine materials adsorb oils from touch. We want our products to be as pristine as possible. I wear an apron, and it holds my favorite scissors, a pen, a thimble, sticky pad, some safety pins, lip gloss, Apivita or L’Occitane hand cream. I wear flat shoes or sometimes a pair of Isotoner slippers, black jeans, t-shirt and in the winter a turtleneck and cashmere sweater. My NY public persona: a black Thierry Mugler or Chanel pant suit, pin, pearls, Ferragamo heels, nylons, a small bag, and a touch of makeup (which Lancaster rarely sees).”
How did you get your start designing dresses? In 1979, I was hired to design RTW [ready to wear] on Rodeo Drive for Elegance of Paris for two years. My So[uthern] California fan base propelled me into starting my own label. Four years later, I met the buyer from Bullocks Wilshire who asked me to design a line of debutante gowns. She then introduced me to the I. Magnin’s buyer, which led me to the buyers of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Gimbles. In the late 80s/early 90s more debutantes in America wore a Janell Berte gown than any other label!
How did you transition into wedding gowns? I got a call from Elegant Bride magazine in ‘89 to design a gown for their cover. That launched my career into the world of wedding gowns. By ‘92 the Janell Berte collection was carried in 175 stores nationwide including Kleinfeld’s, Vera Wang and Suky Rosan, along with all the specialty department stores.
Where are you from? North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Where do you live now? On the edge of Lancaster in Millersville Township in a 247-year-old restored grist mill
Where did you go to college? Drexel University for a BS in fashion design. I have been an adjunct professor at Philadelphia University teaching patternmaking, draping, and senior design and at Drexel University, teaching draping and couture sewing.
Do you speak any other languages? French, terribly!
How long have you had your shop in Lancaster? Posh opened in 2009, two years after we closed the Janell Berte Bridal Salon at Doneckers, which was open for five years.
What perfume do you wear? Fracas, only on special occasions
What are you reading? A Walking Tour of Paris
What do you do to unwind? Gardening or cooking, I hate to shop!
Is there a particular item of clothing or shoe that you like to wear that you buy over and over in multiple colors? I probably have a dozen straight-leg black jeans in my closet. It’s my daily uniform.
What shows are you planning to see this year? War Paint, My Fair Lady, The Devil Wears Prada, Roman Holiday, and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (fingers crossed it makes the leap)
Wine or martini? Wine, Californian of course!
Favorite movie? Anything Audrey Hepburn or Cary Grant is in. I also think Mel Brooks is one of the most brilliant writers alive; The Producers, Young Frankenstein, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights are my favorites. We all need a good laugh at the end of the day!
Best dish in Lancaster? Belvedere’s grilled Caesar!
Most meaningful possession? My wedding ring
Family/Pets: My hero husband, Richard. My two fur children, both bi-black Shelties, Weaver, 14+, and Suky, a five-year-old rescue.
What’s one thing people would not guess about you? Studio 54 is my go-to Sirius channel
Who is your style icon? Personal: Katharine Hepburn. When I design: Audrey Hepburn
My Favorite Things
- “I have a favorite necklace that my sister gave me that I wear most days.”
- When her niece was married in Cyprus a couple years ago, this mug was the favor. It has become her daily go-to for her hot cocoa (which Janell says actually has more caffeine than coffee) to keepher going.
- Penguins everywhere! When she first moved out to California at 21, she went to Sea World with her parents, where her father bought her a small stuffed penguin. From then on, her family and SoCal friends started buying them for her for every occasion. Soon, her apartment had more than 250 penguins when she met her husband! Now she keeps them at her shop, and they make her smile still.
- Tools of the trade: Janell’s trustyscissors hang around her neck; a thimble, blistex, and other miscellaneous items she keeps in apron while she works.
