Our Team 2

JULIE MERSINE

Owner and Head Designer

Julie Mersine Romeli earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). There, she developed her passion for the avant-garde and an eye for couture design. Her work ethic, attention to detail and innovative designs throughout the SAIC program did not go unnoticed; in her second year in the Fashion Design program, her collection was hand-picked to be showcased in the Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence Show.

Following graduation, she immersed herself in the bridal industry. Working as a sales consultant and an assistant buyer in Birmingham, Michigan, she learned all aspects of the business first hand. Simultaneously, she started building the foundation for her own business, custom designing and producing bridal gowns, formalwear and specialty garments.

In 2011, she discovered Mira Couture and had an instant connection with the founder, Mira Horoszowski. In September 2014, Julie Mersine became the new owner.

In October 2015, the Julie Mersine collection debuted at The Art of Fashion runway show in Millennium Park and received praise from critics and industry veterans. Since her debut, her designs have been shown in a multitude of other fashion shows around Chicago, as well as outfitting the presenters at Midwest Emmy Awards. Julie Mersine has produced many fashion shows and events of her own. In the last 10 years, Mira Couture has hosted fashion shows in the most iconic places around Chicago such as The Palm Court of The Drake Hotel, The Four Seasons, the 11th floor terrace of The St. Regis Hotel, Revel Motor Row, The Waldorf Astoria, and many more. Her collections have been photographed in the breathtaking “Crown Jewel” Chicago Tribune Rooftop, aboard a sailboat in Lake Michigan with the city skyline as the backdrop, the 83rd “blow through” floor of the St. Regis, Beatnik, Celeste among so many others.

In 2019, Julie expanded the Mira Couture showroom and designed a new atelier for it to call home in the historical and charming 70 East Walton. Julie Mersine continues to strive to continue and further elevate the Mira Couture legacy that Mira set forth.

MIRA HOROSZOWSKI

Founder

Mira Horoszowski was born in Warsaw, Poland during World War II. As a child, Mira was surrounded by seamstresses, where she learned how to sew and so began her dream of becoming a fashion designer.

Mira moved to Canada in 1957 and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto. Upon accepting a position with U.S. Steel, Mira relocated to Chicago and quickly fell in love with the city. When the company moved its headquarters to Pittsburgh, she seized the opportunity to stay in Chicago and pursue her life long dreams of venturing into the fashion world.

In 1970, Mira opened the doors to her first boutique in the North Shore of Chicago. As her daughter Yvette grew up in the store and the business itself flourished, Mira saw both of her dreams come to life.

Over the years, Mira has become a member of many committees and women’s boards and has immersed herself in numerous Chicago charities. In 1999, Mira was presented the Chicago’s Couturier of the Year Award by the Apparel Industry Board. Mira was also honored with the 2001 Heritage Award, honoring Polish American business leaders who have distinguished themselves in their chosen field.

The Apparel Industry Board awarded Mira yet again in 2017 during its lavish Rev Up! Chicago Fashion Show at Perillo Rolls Royce dealership in the Gold Coast of Chicago. The event, an annual affair, features a fashion show featuring garments from Chicago’s most elite designers. This year, the night was dedicated to none other than Mira herself, honoring her 47 years as a prestigious fashion designer for elite Chicago women. A red carpet welcomed some of Chicago’s most stylish, flutes of bubbly were passed about and tasty treats were snacked upon.

Mira’s reputation exceeds her. She has designed for the most elite clientele including Susan Buffet, Juanita Jordan, Vanna White and Cindy Crawford. Mira Couture has been featured in numerous publications, shows and television stations, including Modern Luxury Weddings, Chicago Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, the Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC, FOX, WGN and more.

Mira Horoszowski was an incredibly savvy business woman, leader and dream-maker for so many women in Chicago. She has touched their lives by instilling wisdom and confidence. Even as she surpasses the 50 year mark of founding the business, Mira is as much of a fashion icon as ever. She is still the biggest cheerleader of Mira Couture, and attends as many fashion shows and events she can! To this day so many people who walk through the door have a story about their experience with Mira, or how their grandmother had their wedding gown designed by Mira. Her legacy continues!

DORIAN GOUREAU

Production Manager

Dorian Goureau is originally from France, where he grew up in Brittany and Paris. Once he graduated from his Baccalaureate studies at Art School and after an additional year at University, he decided to improve his English and broaden his experiences and moved to Chicago in 2000. Soon after, he met the love of his life and he decided to establish himself in North America.

Dorian worked for Jason Bunin, a fashion designer in New York, from 2001 to 2003 as design assistant, and then moved to Toronto where he studied at the International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) to improve his skills and pursue his passion for design. He graduated in 2006 with a degree in Fashion Design, specializing in bridal and evening wear.

After an internship at the Fashion Incubator for the fashion line Karamea, he accepted a position with Paloma Blanca and Mikaella Bridal, as head of customer service. He worked for this noted company for 7 years where he expanded and refined his knowledge of the bridal industry, from design to production, marketing and sales. Dorian continues to consult for Paloma Blanca and Mikaella Bridal twice a year in Chicago and New York during bridal markets as a customer consultant.

Dorian returned to Chicago in 2013 to get married and started working in the Chicago bridal industry as client coordinator at Elizabeth Grace for 3 years where he helped brides design their custom invitations and plan their weddings.

Dorian has known Mira and Julie for many years through his work in the bridal industry and was thrilled to join the Mira Couture team as their production manager in early 2019.

The Consultants

Mira Couture’s standard for exceptional customer service is a result of our phenomenal team of consultants. Welcoming, friendly, upbeat, enthusiastic, caring and passionate–every experience at Mira Couture is nothing short of a breath of fresh air. Our consultants aim to make every customer feel like a part of our tight-knit family.

Boasting degrees in Fashion Design, Merchandising, and Fine Arts from schools including Columbia College Chicago and Iowa State University and vast experience in an array of other bridal boutiques, each consultant has an education which contributes to their expertise in the field of fashion, design, and bridal. Their background in the industry, whether it be an internship with a local designer or time spent writing and editing editorials for local bridal magazines, provides them with the tools and knowledge to advise and style each client’s desire, making every customer’s dreams become a reality.

From helping select THE gown to assisting in the fitting process, a passionate and dedicated consultant will be there every step of the way, from the first “hello” to the final hug “goodbye.”

The Talent Behind the Stitches

A major part of what makes Mira Couture so spectacular is the team of extraordinarily talented dressmakers who are responsible for constructing and tailoring of each magnificent garment. The head pattern maker hand drafts a custom pattern for every piece created, specifically drawn to each customer’s unique measurements. An entire staff of dressmakers represent the absolute elite professionals in their field. Some of whom have been with Mira Couture for more than thirty years, the culmination of their wisdom and experience is undeniably unparalleled in the industry. Many have received a formal training from Europe’s finest technical sewing schools but all have the delicate touch and incredible expert skill level to fit, construct, and alter the couture collections of Mira Couture.

Diane Brucer Skountzos

Customer Experience Concierge

With a career defined by the intersection of aesthetics, elegance, and expert craftsmanship, Diane Brucer Skountzos brings a unique, all-encompassing perspective to the Mira Couture team.

Before bringing her talents to Mira Couture in the Gold Coast of Chicago, Diane spent eight years shaping the standards of luxury service as a regional director for industry titans Mario Tricoci and Elizabeth Arden. Managing high-end salons and spas taught her the “gold standard” of the client experience: a blend of meticulous attention to detail, operational excellence, and a deep intuition for what makes a guest feel truly cared for.

At the heart of Diane’s work is a genuine love for people. Diane thrives on the personal connections she builds within our atelier. She believes that the journey to the perfect dress should be just as beautiful as the final product. For Diane, couture isn’t just about fashion—it’s about the joy of seeing a client’s vision come to life through collaborative artistry and impeccable service.