Today we’d like to introduce you to Pnina Tornai.
Hi Pnina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The beginning of my story may be surprising for some, because my plan was never to design wedding dresses! Growing up, I always wanted to be an actress, but my first husband discouraged me from pursuing this dream. I had always had an eye for fashion, and I ended up opening a store in Israel to support myself at a very difficult time in my life, when I had just returned alone after 10 years living in Paris and getting myself out of an abusive relationship.
One night, I had a very vivid dream that I was laying down in a field and I could see these incredible bridal gowns falling down from the sky, and I saw every little detail of the fabrics, beading and embroidery. I woke up and I knew this was not just a dream but a vision, and that my calling was to bring this beauty down to earth and to empower other women by making them feel like the most beautiful versions of themselves while they commit to the loves of their lives.
I closed my store for a week, hired a seamstress, and began designing wedding dresses.
My designs began to grow in popularity, especially after one was featured on the front page of a newspaper, and after conquering the bridal space in Israel, I set my sights on America– specifically Kleinfeld Bridal.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I definitely faced a number of obstacles on the way to where I am today. When I flew to New York to meet with Kleinfeld, my gowns were considered very sexy and daring for the American market. After looking at my designs, they said, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you,” and I cried the entire 12-hour flight home! But as my mother always said, if you throw me out the door, I’ll come back in through the window. I designed a small collection that was still me, but a little more adapted to the American market, and I sent it to Kleinfeld and told them I would take the dresses back if they didn’t sell. After a few weeks, Mara, one of Kleinfeld’s co-owners, called me and said they had a problem – they were selling so many of my dresses and were concerned that I couldn’t manufacture enough to meet the demand. I hung up the phone and hired every seamstress in Israel, and the rest is history! If I hadn’t fought for my designs, I would never be where I am today.
Besides this story, there are always other bumps along the way. The pandemic, wars, and ups and downs in the global economy have all brought growing pains and have required creativity to find solutions, but this is what makes us all stronger. Now, expanding my business to sell my Love by Pnina Tornai collection in bridal salons throughout the United States is my newest and most exciting project, which of course also requires a lot of work!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a fashion designer specializing in bridal and eveningwear, and now I’m very happy and proud that I also have multiple jewelry lines exclusively available at Jared the Galleria of Jewelry! I’m also a television personality in the USA and Israel, starring in “Say Yes to the Dress,” “MasterChef VIP Israel,” “Big Brother VIP,” and more.
I’m known for bringing a sexier bridal aesthetic and over-the-top sparkling gowns to the USA. That’s how I got nicknamed the “Queen of Bling” and “Fairy Godmother of Brides!”
When I look back on my career so far, even though there have been so many unforgettable moments, I’m most proud of making my brides’ dreams come true. It’s always my goal to make my brides feel their best, and making a bride happy on her most special day is a huge mitzvah and one I am honored to have the power to do.
I think what sets me apart in terms of my designs is the structure of my gowns and my signature corsets that shape the body. On a much deeper level, however, it’s the relationships I have with my brides. For me, it’s about much more than selling a woman a white dress. I hear about their joys, concerns, careers, families, and fiancés, and I genuinely connect with them during their appointments and even over social media. I’ve even told brides who have expressed concerns over their relationships to take some time to think before jumping into marriage, even if their gowns were already made. Their happiness will always outweigh a sale for me, and I think my brides feel my love for them when we meet. I’m so blessed to say that I feel that love in return every single day.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
It was a reminder that life is so precious and fragile, and we need to live our lives to the fullest every single day and never take a single second for granted. There were so many beautiful moments of people connecting and helping one another, but there were also so many dark and isolating moments. I think many of us were stripped down and had time to rediscover ourselves.
Personally, when weddings were postponed and my team and I were under lockdown, I dove into my other passions and discovered new ones. I cooked A LOT and learned new recipes, and I found out that my audiences loves to watch cooking content as well, so we have a ton in common besides wedding dresses!
I was also reminded that when God takes away, God also gives. I may not have been able to see my brides in person or send gowns down the runway, but during that time Jared and I connected, and I designed my first collection of engagement rings and wedding bands with the help of the Jared team over Zoom! I’ve always dreamed of designing a fine jewelry line, so this was a dream come true. It opened up a new way for me to connect with future Pnina brides and to be a part of their journeys from the moment they say yes to the loves of their lives. Now, it has expanded into multiple fashion jewelry collections, a lab-created diamond collection, a pearl collection, men’s rings, and, coming soon, a colored gemstone collection! It truly opened up a new world for me.
Pricing:
- P by Pnina Tornai Collection: $3200+
- LOVE by Pnina Tornai Collection: $3200+
- Couture Collections: $5200+
- Pnina Tornai Jewelry exclusively at Jared: $500.00+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pninatornai.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pninatornai/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pninatornaiofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PninaTornaiofficial
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pninatornai?lang=en
Image Credits
Pnina’s headshot: Dudi Hasson Dress photos: Alexander Lipkin
