10 Questions with Gilles Mendel & Chloe Mendel Corgan of House of Gilles Couture
Chloe Mendel Corgan and Gilles Mendel
1) Chloe, tell us about this partnership with your dad and when did this company form?
We've always been close. I actually grew up interning in different departments of J. Mendel — from PR to the atelier — so working alongside my father feels like an extension of my childhood in the most beautiful way. He's not just my mentor; he's my best friend.
The idea for House of Gilles came very organically. My father has an incredible passion for creating beautiful works of art, and when the opportunity arose to focus on couture — to really center everything around the woman and her dreams — it felt inevitable. Naturally, bridal became an important part of that story. After collaborating with him on my own wedding gown, which was such a sacred and unforgettable experience, we knew we wanted to offer that same deeply personal journey to more women. House of Gilles was born from that desire: to create heirlooms of emotion, craftsmanship, and spirit.
2) Gilles Mendel is known for evening /red carpet couture and bridal, tell us about the concept House of Gilles?
House of Gilles is a very personal evolution for me. It’s a return to true artistry — where every creation is made by hand, with time, precision, and heart. At its core, we dress women for life’s most beautiful moments — whether it’s a red carpet, a wedding, or a milestone worth celebrating.
Each of those moments is about honoring the woman herself — her dreams, her spirit, her story. I wanted to build something intimate, where the focus is entirely on her. Working with my daughter, Chloé, brought a fresh, modern energy to that vision. Together, we carry forward a legacy that spans six generations in the industry, while shaping something entirely our own.
House of Gilles is about creating modern heirlooms — pieces that carry not just the craftsmanship of couture, but the memory and emotion of life's greatest celebrations.
3) How do you work together? Who does what?
It’s very collaborative. Everything — from the business to the creative — is shared between us. We have a constant, open dialogue about every part of the process.
Chloé has an incredible instinct for people — she’s deeply connected to the customer’s journey, their desires, and the experience we want them to have. She’s also the one with a clear vision for the future, always organizing and shaping how we grow.
I’m at my happiest in the atelier, crafting beautiful things by hand, draping fabrics, and working closely with our master pattern makers and artisans. We are a small, intimate operation — a true family business — and naturally, we both wear many hats. Every decision, every gown, is touched by both of us.
4) What do you like most about working together?
We’re very honest with each other. There’s complete trust, which makes everything more creative, more efficient,
5) Is this an atelier only or do you sell wholesale as well?
We currently sell exclusively through our atelier in New York City. It’s a very personal experience, and one we hope every bride will consider when they come to visit NYC.
6) Describe some of the process of having a gown custom designed?
It begins with a conversation — about the venue, the inspiration, the personality and story of the bride. From there, we take precise measurements and build a custom bustier, which becomes the foundation of the gown. The structure — how it embraces, celebrates, and supports the bride — is the true art of what we do.
Once the fit is perfected, we begin draping, adding embroideries, and layering in the details that bring the gown to life. The process requires a few fittings, and we recommend planning about a year in advance to allow time for creativity and refinement.
Each fitting is personally attended by the Mendel family. It's more than a couture process — it’s a door into our home.
7) Tell us about the inspiration for this season?
This season is all about timelessness — creating modern heirlooms. We imagined the feeling of walking into your grandmother’s attic and discovering pieces so beautiful you couldn't tell if they were old or new.
We were also inspired by sculpture — as if the gowns had been dipped in plaster and emerged perfectly molded to the body. The satin is buttery and light, the pleats are delicate. You’ll find hand-sculpted fabric flowers, each hand-painted with crushed rose quartz to create a natural, gentle tint of rose and a soft, luminous sparkle. There are also ruffles made from hand-crimped and pleated organza, adding a feeling of movement and lightness. Every element is designed to feel both ethereal and enduring.
8) Describe some of the looks and fabrics?
We work with duchesse satin, pleated chiffon, and delicate Chantilly lace. One of the standout looks this season is a lace gown that cascades into a storm of hand-pleated, crimped organza ruffles — flowing like the raging sea. It’s about combining softness with strength, and movement with structure.
9) Tell us about the new partnership with Casadei shoes?
We partnered with Casadei to create a couture bridal footwear collection focused on craftsmanship and timeless elegance. The shoes feature hand-pleated duchesse satin, crystal floral embroideries, and sculpted flowers. Since the pleating is done entirely by hand, no two shoes are exactly the same — which is quite counterintuitive in an industry built on uniformity. You can truly see the artistry in each pair. They are made to order and available through House of Gilles and select partners. The collaboration was a true pleasure — the shoes are stunning and such a beautiful complement to the gowns, unique and really special.
10) Will the shoes be made to order as well or available for wholesale??
At the moment they are made to order! Contact us office@houseofgilles.com for special orders!
