Designer/owner, Yvonne Chu, opened Kimera in November 1999 in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The jewel-box sized boutique in Brooklyn served as a showcase for Yvonne's original designs as well as other local artisans and soon became a local favorite.

We also started receiving requests for custom special occasion dresses. Hesitant at first, with no prior experience in formal dresses (Yvonne's previous work was primarily as a freelance sportswear designer), we started with a few basic silk shantung styles. One day, a happy customer wearing a Kimera dress stopped by on her way to a friend's wedding and told me she "hadn't felt this beautiful" since her own wedding day. Soon, we were taking orders for bridesmaids' dresses and even a few wedding gowns. One of our creations even went to Paul McCartney's wedding at a European castle!

Apparently, there was quite a need in the market at the time for a stylish alternative to the traditional bridal shops, and Kimera quickly outgrew the original space. In the Summer of 2002, we expanded into our current Atlantic Avenue location in downtown Brooklyn.

We take great pride in the fact that all of our dresses are handmade by our team of expert seamstresses in our Brooklyn studio. Yvonne still plays an an integral role in the design of every dress, paying careful attention to every detail, from the fit and construction of the first prototype to the finished garment.

Our mission at Kimera continues to be providing style and quality at an affordable price. We are inspired by influences as wide-ranging as the timeless elegance of Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O. to exotic cultures from around the globe and the diversity of our Brooklyn neighborhoods.

We hope to make many more women "feel beautiful" on their wedding day and every day!