Priscilla Kidder realized her longtime passion for fashion design when in 1945 she opened The Bride’s Shop on Newbury Street, offering unique handmade wedding dresses. It wasn’t long before Priscilla of Boston became synonymous with the highest level of individualized service and impeccable quality and design. Her name has stood the test of time and remains the hallmark of bridal elegance.

Handcrafted Priscilla of Boston wedding gowns began showing up in luxury department stores. Her work was well known for its use of lavish fabrics and intricate bead and lacework. National popularity grew to such heights that everyone wanted to be a Priscilla bride.

Priscilla’s international fame was established in 1956 when she was chosen to design the exquisite bridesmaid gowns for the wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco.

In 1965 an estimated 55 million people tuned in to watch President Johnson’s daughter, Luci, marry Pat Nugent in an elegant Priscilla of Boston wedding gown. The bridesmaids wore Priscilla pink chiffon dresses, and the wedding was flawless thanks to the hands-on assistance and watchful eyes of Priscilla herself.

In 1968 Priscilla was again called upon to deliver the dress for Julie Nixon who married David Eisenhower. She glided down the aisle in a Belgian lace Priscilla of Boston gown.

In 1968, Newsweek dubbed Priscilla “Queen of the Aisle”
In 1969, McCall’s called her “The Lady Who Marries the Best People”

The tradition of White House weddings continued in 1971 when Tricia Nixon’s married Eddie Cox. Priscilla designed and personally delivered the bridal gown from Boston to Washington in its very own first class seat.

Priscilla took special care to choose bridesmaid dresses in a look suitable for Tricia’s bridal party range of ages from 11 to 25. The mother of the bride, First Lady Pat Nixon, chose a lovely tea length ensemble from her vast personal wardrobe of Priscilla dresses. Once again, Priscilla Kidder was on the scene every step of the way to make certain that the wedding day was nothing short of perfect.

The 1980s brought the exclusive Priscilla of Boston to the masses, or at least to more of them. Her handmade gowns were made available at Priscilla of Boston salons around the country.

Believing that the bride should wear a gown that fits her in every way, Priscilla launched a special collection of Petite gowns for women 5 feet 4 and under. Thank you Priscilla (I stand at 4′11″).

1988 brought Priscilla Kidder the first Bride’s Magazine Designer Award.

Priscilla of Boston celebrates 50 years as a leader in the bridal industry.

“Cheers,” Boston’s very own pop cultural icon, concluded its 1992 season finale with the marriage of Woody Boyd to socialite Kelly Gains. Kelly wore a raw silk and floral lace Priscilla of Boston gown and matching veil.

In 1996, USA Today declared Priscilla a “Gown guru who steers brides down the right aisle.”

Priscilla of Boston was the wedding gown designer of choice for the first bride of the new millennium, highlighted on “48 Hours” and “The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather.”

The May Department Stores Company purchased Priscilla because of its unique position as a highly recognized, upscale bridal retailer and manufacturer with a fabulous reputation for outstanding service and magnificent collections.

Understanding that today’s most discerning brides seek a range of styling choices, Priscilla joined forces with rising star Melissa Sweet. In January 2005, Melissa Sweet designs became a featured collection at Priscilla salons throughout the country, giving brides a unique choice of exquisite gowns speaking to a variety of tastes and personalities, from classic, to fashion-forward, to whimsical.

During the Spring 2007 bridal fashion week, Priscilla of Boston premiered a new bridal collection called ‘Platinum’. The Platinum Collection offers the unmatched luxury, with lavish couture gowns.

In the Spring 2008 bridal fashion week, the Priscilla of Boston Group premiered its newest bridal collection, Vineyard, designed by Mark Brower. The Vineyard Collection offers stylish gowns that feature satin, chiffon and lace, intricate embellishment and textural appliqué beading and pearls.