I purchased a dress from David's Bridal that was close to what I wanted, but needed a lot done to make it perfect. Carmen did an amazing job turning that dress into my dream dress. She changed the halter to a sweetheart neckline, added covered buttons down the back, put lace around the bottom, added appliqués up the skirt, and filled in the sides with lace that I assume were left bare for taking in the waist. The transformation of the dress was remarkable. Her work is impeccable. She knows fabrics and sewing and is honest about what can and can't be done. She was a pleasure to work with.

I bought a designer dress from an online retailer (wasn't a knockoff they have an actual store in FL) in the smallest size the designer makes and unfortunately it wasn't small enough. I was worried about just using any seamstress to tailor my dress that I waited 4 months to get and spent a large chunk of money paying for. I finally decided on Carmen (owner of Belen Divine) to alter my dress. She said it was a bit more challenging to alter due to the significant amount of hidden boning in the bodice and the ruching but she did an amazing job! It was the first strapless dress that I have ever been able to wear in my entire life that I hadn't altered myself to fit me! The price for taking it in and hemming was reasonable but the price for bustling was a little bit more than I wanted to spend because my dress needed 10 or more points, but other than that the prices were good. She was very attentive and flexible and overall a really very sweet lady. A word of advice: don't trust a designer dress to just anyone to be able to alter...take it to someone who has worked with really fine fabrics and complex patterns and has knowledge of pattern draping (I have been sewing since I was 5 but I didn't even trust myself to alter this dress...not even the hem). Carmen is one of the best seamstresses around and I would trust her with any dress...simple or complex!