Expert Alterations and Wardrobe Specialist

Loana is amazing! I bought a dress for a gala event in San Francisco. Loved the velvet dress but hated the strange, lacy, heavy sleeves that came with it. I brought it to Loana she removed the sleeves and replaced them with elegant straps. You could not tell that it had been altered at all ! The fitting was done in a timely and professional manner. I highly recommend her services.

After losing 15 pounds I wanted alterations on some of my St. John knit garments — both vintage and new. I was very lucky to meet Loana Popescue of San Jose. She is an expert on St. John garments — from a simple take-​in or let-​out, shorten or lengthen to a complete redesign and modernzation. She knows the history of St. John garments and how they can be refashioned. After my first experiences with her, I took a ton of clothes of all types and brands for alterations. When my husband saw her work, he took over 20 garments for alterations — pants, jackets, and shirts all altered for better fit. She received formal training in sewing, tailoring, and alterations in her native Romania; worked in women’s and men’s alterations for Nordstrom for over 20 years, and has been a top-​rated Wardrobe Consultant and salesperson for St. John for the past several years. She modernized several of my vintage St. John pieces by updating the shoulder pads, lengthening, shortening, or expanding the garment, changing buttons/​decorations, etc. As a wardrobe consultant, she has a keen eye for fashion and everything looks updated when she’s done. She altered 3 formal gowns that I really loved but were too small by expanding the top and completely replacing the bottom of the garment. It is impossible to tell my gowns were altered; they are perfect and definitely better than anything I’ve seen in retail stores and for a fraction of the price. She is a charming, constomer-​friendly problem-​solver. She has a variety of sewing machines, irons, steamers, and specialized equipment, so she can handle any type of garment. She has done the following alterations for us: expanded and replaced buttons on a designer leather jacket, skirts and pants; re-​designed formal evening gowns, shortened and lengthened dresses, pants, skirts, re-​designed vintage garments so they look more modern, altered men’s pants, jackets, and shirts. She altered 3 pair of my favorite jeans to a perfect fit. The best thing about Loana is her creativity and problem-​solving, and the fact that she wants you to be happy with her work. I don’t hesitate to put any challenging alteration in front of her and she figures out a way to get it done. Most importantly, she gets it right the first time! She has a delightful personality, and her prices are reasonable. She lives and works in San Jose; but, I am happy to drive the 45 miles from Oakland because she is that good. If you have clothes you love but can’t wear for one reason or another, go to Loana — you will not be disappointed! Tell her Del sent you!