Andrea Karabatsos, owner of Jenna Studio at Town Center mall, is more than a clothing merchant. She’s also a dress whisperer and a change agent for mothers of the bride and groom who thought they had exhausted every option for the Big Day.
“Over the years, I see them come in starved, with their shoulders down, lacking confidence,” says Karabatsos, who estimates that mothers of the bride and groom constitute 75 percent of her business. “During their journey, they come upon me or are referred to me after they’ve been to so many places that are not suited for them.” What sets Jenna Studio apart, she says, is the quality of the craftsmanship and the design of the elegant dresses, which are as versatile for a gala as they are for a wedding.
“These gowns are more expensive, because they’re not cut in mass production in China. They’re made in Canada and geared for women—not little girls. We’re not like other stores, with dresses sold to the masses, and that have the dated look of a prom queen when you’re 50.”
Karabatsos says she sometimes feels like the “dress police” when potential clients focus too much on their physical imperfections. “When a gown is well cut and proportioned, it doesn’t matter if you’re 5 feet 2 or a size 18,” she says. “When I get them into the dresses, they’re so shocked that they look this great—and that they don’t need A-lines or pleats or jackets. They start crying, because they never imagined themselves looking that way.”
Though Jenna Studio only opened in Boca Raton in 2023, its reputation precedes it. The flagship Jenna Studio, founded by and named for Andrea’s talented seamstress mother, opened in Montreal’s posh Green Avenue in Westmount, and next year it will celebrate its 40th anniversary of providing top-of-the-line eveningwear and special-occasion dresses for Canada’s most discerning clientele.
It’s the same standard of quality and service that drives the Boca Raton shop—and compels Andrea Karabatsos’ singular focus. “I used to carry bridal as well—I did it for 10 years,” she says. “You have to fully concentrate on one part to be successful; I’ve been around for 25 years centering on mothers. It’s my passion. I couldn’t do this job if I didn’t love it.”
Jenna Studio is at Town Center at Boca Raton, 6000 Glades Road. Call 561/888-3378 or visit jennasstudio.com.
This post is sponsored by Jenna Studio
