Pnina Tornai shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Pnina, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
To me, integrity will always be the most important thing. You can have all the intelligence and energy in the world, but if you aren’t being honest with yourself and with others, what is it all for? I can’t imagine looking back at all I’ve achieved and knowing it was done with anything other than true and honest intentions. I always want to do my best and do it in the most authentic, genuine way possible.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My journey into bridal design began in the most unexpected way. I originally dreamed of becoming an actress, but after leaving an abusive relationship and returning to Israel from Paris, I opened a small boutique to support myself. One night, I had a vivid dream—bridal gowns floating down from the sky, every detail perfectly clear. I knew it wasn’t just a dream, but a calling. I closed my store, hired a seamstress, and began designing.
What started as a leap of faith quickly became a career. After becoming Israel’s leading bridal designer, I set my sights on the United States—and specifically on Kleinfeld Bridal. Today, my gowns are available across the USA and around the world. I’m known for my signature corsets, dramatic ballgowns, and over-the-top sparkle, earning me nicknames like the “Queen of Bling” and “Fairy Godmother of Brides.” I’ve also become Jared’s top jewelry designer, and have starred on shows like Say Yes to the Dress, MasterChef VIP, and Big Brother VIP.
More than just fashion, my work is about connection. I listen to my brides, celebrate with them, and sometimes even guide them through the biggest decisions of their lives. For me, it’s never just about the dress—it’s about making a woman feel truly seen, confident, and beautiful as she steps into the next phase of her life. That’s the real magic, and I feel so blessed to do what I do.
Currently, I am working on my 2026 Couture collection, debuting at New York Bridal Fashion Week this October.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
There are two answers to this question. The first I would say is God. While I always loved fashion and used to draw Victorian dresses on the walls of my home as a child and cut up my mother’s tablecloths to make clothes, I never considered it as a career. It wasn’t until I had that dream that I realized what my true calling is. It was more than a dream I would say, it was more like a vision from above.
The second answer to this question is Mara Urshel, the co-owner of Kleinfeld. I remember meeting with her after my first trunk show at Kleinfeld, and she said to me, “Young lady, I don’t think you know where you’re heading to – what you’re going to become.” I didn’t have a clue that it was going to be such an amazing and successful journey, but Mara saw the potential in me and in my work.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I am so grateful for the success I have found in my career. With that said, I truly believe that the challenges I have faced throughout my life have made me who I am today and brought me that success. It’s often in our trials where real growth occurs and where we learn our best lessons. I started designing at a very difficult time in my life, after surviving an abusive marriage and having my son taken away from me, and that suffering is what led me to my calling that has brought me so much joy throughout my life. I believe that what I have been through in my life is part of what allows me to connect deeply with the women I meet and empower them to overcome their own struggles.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes! What you see is what you get with me. I extend the same warmth and care to my brides that I share with my closest friends, my family, and the team in my atelier. I always share my true feelings, whether I’m talking to a friend who came to me for advice or working with a bride who I can see is hesitant to get married. I love to laugh and cry with my brides and their families. I think real authenticity is something missing in today’s world, especially on social media. We mold ourselves into something we believe the public will accept or like, instead of being true to ourselves— but I have found that I get the most love back when I am true to who I am and share my genuine love with the world. My hope is that my brides feel that I am exactly who I am on TV, on social media, and in person.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
How I made people feel. If everything went away tomorrow, I know I could find peace in the fact that I made so many women’s dreams come true, that I empowered and uplifted them, that I made them feel their most confident and beautiful, and for some, that I helped them choose themselves instead of a relationship that wasn’t right for them. I also know that the connections I made with brides and the relationships I have with my team, my friends, and my family would all still be there. Love is always the core of all that I do and it will always remain, along with precious memories. I can’t help but think of the hundreds of thousands of photos of joyful brides being passed down from generation to generation for years to come. It really is a legacy of love.
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
Jewelry photos: Shai Franco
Gown photos: Daniel Elster
Pnina photo: Dudi Hasson
