FASHION Designer's work fits young girls' fancies

The design process involves important input from young customers.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
MIAMI -- Marisela Cisneros mixes embroidered laces and silks, tulle and handmade flowers to transform girls into ladies as she works inside her boutique in Coral Gables, Fla.
From a bat mitzvah to a quinces to a big sister's wedding, Cisneros specializes in designing and making "special occasion" dresses for girls ages 6 to 18.
"I think she's a great designer. She tailors the fashion to the girl's body so they feel comfortable," says Susan Meister, a regular customer who has purchased Cisneros' designs for her 13-year-old daughter Meredith.
She keeps about 50 different dress samples on the racks so girls can try them on and she can get a general idea of their shapes and what designs are most flattering.
Background in the business
A Cuban native, Cisneros grew up in Miami and for several years lived in Philadelphia, where she made women's dresses. But after having a few younger clients, she decided to specialize in girls' clothing.
"I like to work with the young girls so they enjoy the process and it's a pleasurable experience for them," she says. "I want it to teach them to notice what looks best on their body."
About seven years ago, she moved back to Miami and opened her boutique, where she sells ready-made clothing and makes custom suits and dresses. Her dresses are also sold at several boutiques throughout the country.
Personalized service
When she first meets with her young customers, Cisneros says she likes to learn a little about them: their age, their hobbies, their favorite color.
She works with the girls during the design process pulling out different fabrics, trims and laces, so they can choose what they like best. If a girl likes flowers, Cisneros may add a trail of handmade flowers to the back of the dress.
She then has six seamstresses she supervises as the dresses are sewn together.
"She's very nice to come to," says 9-year-old Shelby Wolofsky. "All the dresses she makes me are very pretty."
It usually takes several fittings before a dress is finished, mostly because the girls' bodies change so quickly.
"They go away to camp and when they come back, it's a different girl," Cisneros says.
Unique designs
As a child, Cisneros' aunt used to sew most of her clothing -- matching dresses for her and her sisters. As she grew up and learned the trade herself, Cisneros says she tries to make every dress unique.
Because most of her garments are for a special occasion, Cisneros likes to know what party or event the dress is for. That way if she gets any other customers going to the same place, she can make sure the dresses are different.
"They're really pretty," says Meredith Meister of Cisneros' dresses. "And none of them look alike."