Our Story

 

Elizabeth Keane


VanSant Atelier was founded in Charleston, South Carolina by Elizabeth VanSant Keane. The atelier started off as a small operation but grew very quickly and we are proud to say that we have many happy customers all over the world. Finding the perfect bridal accessory can be such a difficult journey which is why I want to do everything that I can to make the experience easy and joyful for all of my clients.

The belt with a touch of sparkle; the veil trimmed in delicate lace; these things are what tie everything together and bring a spark of joy!

It’s hard to pin-point the exact moment that I became obsessed with bridal fashion, but it was at least by age eight. As a child, I would pore over my mother’s wedding dress and delicately touch the lace and satin. By high school I had decided on a college career in fashion design, and during my time at university, I narrowed my sights to bridal wear. I designed my first bridal accessory is 2010 and have continued following my passion ever since.

The inspiration behind my accessory line actually came from the brides that I’ve designed for over the years. Every design was realized with a particular bride in mind. When I’m designing a piece, I’m thinking about the shape and the overall look, of course, but I’m also thinking about the feel and drape. The feel of fabric and trim has always been very important to me, which is why a vital part of my process is sourcing the very best materials. From design conception to finished product, every step is completed by hand to produce the highest quality pieces, which is something that I feel very proud to say! It’s so much fun turning these designing dreams into a reality! With every piece that I produce being cut and stitched by hand in my studio from the finest materials, the result is a piece of heirloom quality which can be cherished for generations to come. As much as I love the creative process, my favorite part is receiving photographs of my brides on their special day. There is nothing like seeing a bride completely adorned in her wedding day look and glimpsing the happiness written on her face. It’s absolute food for the soul!