Our Mission

Our mission is to make every customer feel their most confident and beautiful, whether it’s in the clothing we custom make, curate off the rack, or alter to perfectly fit their figure. We take pride in our ability to accommodate any shape, size, and style, and to celebrate each individual’s unique sense of fashion.

We specialize in offering women high-end custom-made clothing services ranging from custom gowns, wedding dresses, cocktail dresses, pants, blouses, skirts, and more. When your own clothes need a bit of refreshing, we can help with the simplest alteration to the most complex redesign. We are also happy to accommodate last minute fashion emergencies. To complete your ensemble, we carry an extensive collection of evening bags, ready-to-wear dresses, travel jewelry, and other accessories.

In a world where true custom-made clothing experiences are rare, we stand out by crafting garments entirely from scratch with handmade patterns, and a wide selection of fabrics to choose from. All of our work is done on-site, so you never have to worry that your work is being outsourced overseas. 

Behind our operations stands a dedicated team of highly skilled tailors and seamstresses, ensuring a swift turnaround for most projects without compromising on precision. Our values—creativity, authenticity, exceptional craftsmanship, personalized service, and a relentless pursuit of excellence—guide us in every stitch we make, every fabric we select, and every customer we serve.

As a part of life’s most cherished moments, we consider it a privilege to participate in your journey. Welcome to a world where elegance meets artistry, and every individual is a masterpiece.

History

Meet the Team

Gloria Petri

Founder & Lead Designer

Gloria is the founder of Gloria Couture and has been a pivotal figure in South Florida’s bespoke fashion scene for nearly 50 years. Born in Colombia, Gloria was inspired by her father, Miguel Angel Granada, an expert tailor, and began learning the craft alongside him. At 16, her family moved to the United States for her younger brother’s medical treatment, marking a significant turning point in her life. At 22, Gloria opened her first atelier, North Miami Custom Tailoring, with a $600 loan from her father. Her incredible talent, vision for fashion design, and perseverance to overcome challenges over the years transformed an initially modest setup into a thriving business. Over the years, Gloria expanded her boutique, partnered with her father, and later incorporated her daughter Joanna into the family business. 

Joanna Tourgeman

CEO

Joanna’s journey in the world of fashion began the moment she entered the world, nestled in the heart of her mother Gloria’s bustling atelier. From her earliest memories, she was immersed in a world of creativity and design, watching in awe as her mother’s vision transformed into reality for countless clients. Joanna’s own creative spark ignited at the tender age of two, as she eagerly took to sewing buttons and by five, she was fashioning her own creations from fabric scraps.

As she grew, so did her role in the business – at eight, she was already dressing window displays, and by eighteen, she possessed the knowledge to run the entire operation. As she matured, Joanna explored other passions, pursuing studies in theater arts and opera at the University of Miami before venturing to Los Angeles.  Life took an unexpected turn when her mother’s assistant fell ill, prompting Joanna’s return to Miami. It was here that her love for fashion was reignited, propelling her to pursue an MBA in Management from Barry University. Today, Joanna stands as the torchbearer of her family’s legacy, owning and operating Gloria Couture with the same passion and dedication as her mother and grandfather before her.

Mercedes Sarmiento

Custom Seamstress

Mercedes first discovered her love for sewing as a child in Colombia, where she would modify the dresses her mother made for her, infusing her own sense of style. This early passion led her to formally study fashion with a specialization in alta costura. Mercedes’ expertise lies in creating fine evening gowns adorned with intricate details and handwork. She honed her skills working for Carolina Herrera for many years in Venezuela. In 2002, after relocating to the United States, she joined the Gloria Couture family, continuing her dedication to haute couture.

Luz Castaneda

Custom Seamstress

Mercedes first discovered her love for sewing as a child in Colombia, where she would modify the dresses her mother made for her, infusing her own sense of style. This early passion led her to formally study fashion with a specialization in alta costura. Mercedes’ expertise lies in creating fine evening gowns adorned with intricate details and handwork. She honed her skills working for Carolina Herrera for many years in Venezuela. In 2002, after relocating to the United States, she joined the Gloria Couture family, continuing her dedication to haute couture.

In 1998, Luz embarked on a new chapter in the United States, where she found her home at Gloria Couture. For over two decades, she has graced the atelier with her expertise, continuing to craft exquisite pieces with unwavering passion and dedication. Luz’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and the enduring joy of bringing dreams to life through fabric.

Lucy Estremadoyro

Alterations Seamstress

From stitching dresses for her dolls as a little girl to mastering the art of hand sewing, Lucy’s passion for creating beauty through fabric has been evident since her earliest days. Hailing from Peru, she embarked on a journey to perfect her craft, first learning at home and then honing her skills at a prestigious sewing academy. Upon immigrating to this country, Lucy’s talent led her to work as an alterations seamstress for a hotel and later at Neiman Marcus. Her heart, however, found its true home at Gloria Couture, where she embraces each day with her newfound family. Specializing in intricate hand sewing, Lucy’s work is a testament to her love for her craft and the bond she shares with her colleagues at Gloria Couture.

Rosa Chacon

Alterations Seamstress

Rosa’s passion for sewing blossomed at the age of 13. Hailing from El Salvador, she dedicated herself to mastering her craft, studying alta costura at her local academy. Upon immigrating to the United States, Rosa lent her expertise to various ateliers, including the prestigious stage of Sabado Gigante. Seven years ago, she found her home at Gloria Couture, where her talent for complex alterations, particularly with evening gowns, shines brightly. With each stitch, Rosa weaves her love for her craft into every garment, doing her part to make customers feel confident and beautiful for their milestone life events.

Merita Halili

Bridal Seamstress

Merita’s journey into the world of fashion began with a remarkable dream in her early twenties, where a divine figure foretold her destiny as a fashion designer. Initially hesitant, Merita was spurred by the figure’s assurance that she would indeed be able to learn. With determination and the guidance of her sister, she swiftly mastered the art of sewing, designing, and crafting garments from scratch.

Her talents quickly gained recognition, propelling her to become a prominent fashion designer in her native Albania. Merita established her own esteemed house of design, a legacy now continued by one of her daughters. Upon relocating to Miami a few years ago, Merita brought her expertise to Gloria Couture, where she specializes in creating exquisite custom-made wedding gowns and expertly altering bridal dresses.

Alejandra Hernandez

Apprentice

From a young age Alejandra has been passionate about art, design, and culture, a love that began at home with her grandmother. She enjoyed making handmade bags and taught her how to hand weave. She continued pursuing her interest in sewing through elementary school, and since then has continued studying the art of sewing.

Olga Valderama

Alterations Seamstress

“In Loving Memory” – she worked for the company for 47 years

Olga first began sewing as a young girl of 14, under the tutelage of her aunt Melba who was an experienced seamstress. Growing up, she honed her skills and eventually found herself working alongside her sister in Bogotá under the guidance of a renowned local tailor. Upon moving to the United States, fate led her to Gloria, marking the beginning of a remarkable 44-year journey together. With Gloria, Olga specialized in all kinds of alterations and became specialized in working with knit fabrics and men’s clothing. From the time Olga began working with Gloria and her father Miguel, they developed a lasting friendship and found a home away from home at Gloria Couture.