Meet Lesley Brickman, Founder of The One Gown 

I’m Lesley Brickman, the founder of THE ONE Gown, a concierge styling service for the modern, luxury bride. I’m from Louisiana and Tennessee originally, but have lived in Washington, DC, and now Los Angeles for over a decade. I love living in Southern California— it’s the place I’ve lived at one stretch for the longest!

Lesley wears The Mindy Mini in Black/White Palm Toile

I have always loved wedding gowns, and I’ve always been the friend my GFs would turn to for help with their own formal dresses, wedding gowns, party dresses etc. I also love helping women. It’s the perfect marriage, no pun intended, of something I truly love and something I’m skilled at—helping women reduce their stress and time spent searching for “the one” while making them feel beautiful and special for their Big Day. 

My favorite part is being my own boss, but that is also the most challenging. If something fails or if goals are missed, it’s on me—no one else. The absolute most rewarding is helping a client find the dress of their dreams. Seeing the look on their faces when they say “This is THE ONE!!!” is the best feeling in the world. And yes, I cry every time this happens, even when helping a Mother of the Groom or Bar Mitzvah mom. 

This is so hard as I have a “short list” of probably 15. My top three are definitely: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Grace Kelly and Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria was the first modern royal bride to wear the color white, a trend that women have followed now since 1840—she was a game changer! 

Be realistic about your goals and do your homework before you step foot into a salon! Realistic goal setting—such as your budget, your “look” or timeframe to decide—is key, as is education. Learning about which types of gowns look best on your body type and which dresses you actually have access to try on can truly help reduce stress and frustration! Obviously, working with a bridal stylist who is fluent in the entire process is truly a way to ensure a happy and successful shopping experience. 

Follow along in Instagram @theonegown

I am very excited about new designers joining the mainstream, especially women who are creating incredibly intentional and beautiful gowns that we were missing before. Some of my favorites are Eisen-Stein Bridal, Odlyne the Ceremony, and Danielle Frankel. I also am loving that more brands are focusing on sustainability and eco-friendly fabrics and practices. 

“Investing in myself” to me means things that I do that are solely for my benefit, which is a tough concept to master many, many days. It’s hard to find time to invest in myself as an entrepreneur, wife and toddler mom, but I do love to take time to exercise which can help clear my head and make me feel stronger--literally and physically.  

We do a lot, carry a lot, share a lot, take on a lot, give a lot… the list goes on. I want to help women understand that they are strong, smart, beautiful and capable of the hardest things. 

I love the quality of the fabrics and the cut of the garments—both of which are exquisitely done. These pieces feel like couture, but at attainable prices for the modern woman looking to feel special and beautiful for a fun night out, a party or a wedding. Plus, knowing that Mestiza’s founders are women who encourage and empower other women speaks directly to my heart!

Trust your gut. If all the stars are suddenly aligning for that “dream career” you’ve been thinking of launching for a decade, do it. I did, and I’m so grateful I listened to my intuition.