AEROSPACE ENGINEER+FASHION ADDICTION=SABRINA G. BITMAYL=GG

BY JENNIFER HOOD

If by some marvel of science the DNA of Coco Chanel and Aristotle were fused to create one super-woman, that genius fashionista’s name would be Sabrina Bitmayl. An Aerospace Engineer, Corporate Executive, Naval Veteran and Senior Graduate Professor, Sabrina has conquered the top levels of business and academia, and she’s done it all in Robert Rodriguez cropped blazers and leopard pumps. Now the diva brainiac has a new feat to conquer. In March of this year she opened her own fashion boutique in Rancho Santa Margarita called GG Couture. GG Couture, short for Glitter Girl, is 2300 sq. ft. where Sabrina carefully chooses fresh new pieces that can be worn casually or on an evening out. Currently, you can _nd a wide selection of Couture Designers such as one of kind pieces from Uli Herzner & Teri Stevens featured on Project Runway, unseen designers from Europe and the Middle East as well as proven designer collections such as Robert Rodriguez, Nicole Miller, Betsy Johnson, Black Halo, Nanette Lepore, Flavio Castellani, Trina Turk, handbags by Francesco Biasia and shoes by Charles David. No matter what your occasion, GG Couture can dress you from head to toe.

In its beginnings, GG Couture has already swept Orange County as an innovative conduit of not only fashion, but the lifestyle of fashion. Sabrina just can not help herself, her brain is a well-oiled machine and even though she has taken a break from Aersopace (after having won Crane Aerospace a coveted and supposedly impossiable contract with HondaJet), she is still running on high-octane. She made it through the ranks of the military and corporate world by her ability to create superstructures for effecient marketing, problem solving and leadership. Wheter it is packaging and promoting naval ships or high heel stilettos, Sabrina pours all of her creative juices into the gig.

So what do you get when such a brain applies herself to creating a boutique?
Here is a sample: For the Grand Opening of her store, Sabrina sent out limousine fleets to pick up clients and their friends for a Sex and the City-theme party, (each limousine loaded with $500 couture-packed gift baskets and champagne) that Bravo TV attended. The no-expense-spared treatment was not just a grand opening charade either. Day in, day out, Sabrina raises the bar as a boutique owner. Sabrina has an on-site style-file for her clients. The files are detailed profiles of the client’s likes, dislikes, style, specific measurements, personality, yearly events, etc. According to your defined specifications, Sabrina will be your personal shopper as she attends worldwide fashion shows. “Isn’t that risky?” I ask her. “Oh I know my girls,” Sabrina laughs, “I mean it’s amazing. I’m probably right on about what they want at least 95% of the time.” Sabrina must be good. She’s done this for the likes of Lindsay Lohan and other Hollywood celebrities. Which leads to another perk Sabrina employs: personalized baskets delivered to your house, filled with all the new inventory she’s special ordered that she thinks you’ll love. You keep what you want, charge it, and send back the rest. “Oh my God, they love it,” Sabrina says, “These women are busy, and they hate having to look through the racks for what they want.”

Sabrina and the GG crew pull out all the stops. If you have a favorite designer they carry, they’ll call you up for first pick on the designer’s new inventory. Besides alterations services; free gift-wrapping, steam pressing and delivery of purchases; and a handy martini bar in the lounge area of the store, GG Couture goes above and beyond the call of fashion. They even have an on-staff world renowned Physical Trainer who can help GG’s Fashionistas get toned in an on-site private studio. Plus, you earn Style Miles (credits at GG Couture) for reaching your fitness goals. Sandra Knox and Debra Nelson, GG Couture’s on-staff stylists, can consult with you on anything from dinner etiquette to fashion faux-pas. Going on a trip? GG Couture offers luggage preparation. Personal stylists will hand select ensembles perfect for your travel destination, combining new things from the store with your own closet’s gems. Sabrina can arrange to have custom dresses designed for you by notable designers. Sabrina has even been known to invite clients to exclusive preview fashion shows with her. It’s no wonder why Bravo’s Real Housewives of Orange County are regulars at the store. The show filmed weekly at GG Couture for their upcoming season premiering in late November.

Sabrina’s got quite an impressive resume, to say the least. GG Couture is a haven for OC’s modern trendsetting woman. Besides her material success, Sabrina has gleaned some priceless life lessons as well. Here are some closing words of wisdom from the woman who’s done it all and done it well:

“Success isn’t just about where you’ve gotten, but who you’ve gotten there with. Don’t forget to include those you love in your equation of success. And always remember, you can have whatever you want if you dress for it!”

Sabrina's Sons.

D'mitri & Darius Jackson

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