[This week Kleinfeld Fashion Director Randy Fenoli discusses
family communication. So what holiday or occasion do you think has the most family-drama
potential? Drop off a comment below, and
if you’re in the neighborhood, visit us on Facebook and Twitter.]
Say Yes to the Dress
really seems to strike a chord with brides -- those who have been through the
process already and those who are going through it right now with their friends
and family. Why do you think the show is so popular?
Randy: I think
it’s because it’s kind of like if somebody took a film crew and brought it into
your home on Thanksgiving Day. You know,
it’s like here comes the aunt with her green bean casserole that everybody hates.
Then there’s the dad who has his favorite son. I mean, the family dynamics that spill out at those intimate moments of
what’s supposed to be a joyous occasion sometimes cloud up what really should
be going on. Everybody’s together and it
should be a wonderful time.
Unfortunately, it’s when the whole breakdown in family
communication can happen. And maybe the
family hasn’t communicated in years. Maybe the bride’s living off in another state and suddenly they come
together and they find out they really don’t know a lot about each other, and they
have to agree on a dress when they have totally different styles, you know, or
ideas.
TLC: The Thanksgiving analogy is
perfect
Randy: I don’t think I remember a Christmas or a Thanksgiving when we didn’t
have a disaster in my family. I remember
my father throwing dinner rolls at me one time. I was at one table that seated four.
There was another table that seated 12 people -- it was a 10-foot-long
table -- and my father was at the very end of it and got mad at me because one
of my friends, who wasn’t Catholic, took a bite right before we began to say
grace. My friend didn’t know whether to
swallow the roll or spit it out, and we started giggling. The next thing you
know my father’s throwing dinner rolls over the tables at us, cursing me out
while saying grace. I mean, my gosh, you
know --what drama we have!
TLC: So when it comes to family, weddings, just
like holidays, can make for strange bedfellows.
Randy: They sure do. And who
you decide to bring to your wedding-dress appointment -- you really need to
think about it and talk to them before you bring them in.
