Abby's Sew Right reborn as bridal boutique Businesswoman's goal is to make affordable formalwear

By Ginny Privitar
HEWITT ‑‑ "I have explicitly made my place into a full bridal boutique," says Abby Beyjoun, a West Milford businesswoman who had previously sold other types of clothing as well.
Tuesday, Beyjoun celebrated four years in business and now is cpecializing exclusively in bridal and formal wear, and, of course, the flawless alterations for which she is known.
Beyjoun grew up in Tartus, a big city on the coast of Syria. She graduated from Esmod Fashion University in Damascus, and specialized in bridal wear. She's been sewing since she was 14 and working for others since she was 19.
The West Milford resident came to the United States in 1996.
Her goal is to make beautiful dresses available at reasonable prices, which range from $600-$2,500.
"I'm investing in couture a little at a time," she said. "Believe it or not, I have 4 companies that are in Kleinfelds: Casablanca, Justin Alexander, Allure and Martina Liana."
In all, she has 16 suppliers, including Giovanni, Mon Cherie, and Terani. The shop has sample dresses and catalogs and if the client desires a custom look, Beyjoun can make a sketch.
Some of her suppliers can make the re-designed dress and she will do the alterations when it arrives. Beyjoun also creates veils to match. She carries designer plus-size gowns -- up to size 28; larger sizes can be ordered.
"We have so many (dresses) in stock," Beyjoun said, "mother of the bride, cocktail and semi-formal, and accessories to go with them like jewelry and clutches and head pieces for the bride -- all very affordable."
Many brides decide to change their dress a bit by adding more beading, straps or sleeves, for example. For one client, Beyjoun added an illusion top, beading and beaded sleeves. She also created a dress for a bride from her mother's and mother-in-law's dresses.
Besides Beyjoun's talent and skills, the business is successful because they have great customer service. "We try to accommodate everything and go out of our way to make customers happy."
"I just love making brides happy. Some walk in upset and at the end have a big happy smile on their face," she said. On a recent Saturday, on an emergency basis, she fixed an uneven hem on a dress that a bride had altered somewhere else. Thanks to Beyjoun, the relieved bride was able to walk down the aisle the same day.
I don't have a daughter, so I enjoy all of them," Beyjoun said. She's been known to cry when a bride has her final fitting. "It becomes emotional; I'm a softie," she said.
Abby Beyjoun and her husband Anise have two sons: Anthony, 20, and Nicholas,17. They all help out in the business.
Once a woman left Abby's Sew Right without trying on pants that had been altered. She called to complain that the alteration had not been done. Beyjoun asked how she came to that conclusion. The woman said, "I haven't tried them on yet, but I looked at them and it looks too professional -- like they haven't been touched." Beyjoun said she would take that as a compliment.
Beyjoun is a school aide at West Milford High School in the Transition to Employment program and participates in the Cinderella Project, which provides prom dresses to young women who can't afford to buy a gown.
On their own, Abby and her family also have a "purse project." The community donates purses filled with hats, gloves, and other items which are given to homeless people in New York City.
Abby's Sew Right
1925 Greenwood Lake Tpke
Hewitt, New Jersey
(973) 506-6200
Hours: Tue. and Fri.: 3-7 p.m.; Wed:3-8 p.m.; Thursday by paid appointment only; Sat.:10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Closed Sun & Mon.