Name: Anne Barge

Occupation: Wedding Dress Designer

It is no minor responsibility to design the attire for what many women consider to be the most important day of their lives. But that responsibility is something that Anne Barge wanted her entire life. From a very young age, Barge knew she wanted to design wedding gowns, and even recalls making them for her paper dolls as a child. As a senior in college, Barge discovered that a Priscilla of Boston trunk show was coming to Atlanta, and, armed with her sketchbooks and her obvious passion, went to meet the name behind the brand, Priscilla Kidder, and head designer (at the time) Jim Hjelm. The two quickly offered Barge a designer apprenticeship at the company, and her career took flight. After the apprenticeship, Barge worked in various capacities for Rich’s, then eventally started her own retail shop–Anne Barge for Brides–in Buckhead in the early ’80s. She then moved on to become manager and buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue Bridal, and even as the managing director of Richard Branson’s Virgin Bride boutique in London. In 1999, Barge launched the Anne Barge Bridal Collection, which is now sold in fine stores across the globe. In 2007, Barge opened her Anne Barge Bridal Atelier on West Paces Ferry Road, and the shop is in the process of relocating to the ground floor of the Tower Place high-rise in Buckhead. The store carries the complete line of her dresses as well as the complete Badgley Mischka bridal collection. The petite Barge is an avid runner and claims that, along with working with brides, keeps her youthful. And although she stays busy designing and traveling across the country to trunk shows, she also knows how to relax, and takes time out from her busy schedule to get away with her husband to their vacation home in the North Georgia Mountains.