About Us

Vanessa LeBouthillier

Owner & Bridal Specialist

Vanessa’s journey began working as a junior wedding coordinator. Quickly realizing wedding gowns fascinated her, she became a stylist at a luxury salon in Toronto where she styled brides, learned about customizing gowns and understanding luxury fabrics. Vanessa later went on to become a consultant at Kleinfeld Toronto, a position that transitioned into a management role. Working with numerous designers provided insight into the bridal world on a larger scale, while helping VIP clients and styling TV fashion-segments sharpened her eye for design.

Curious to see how gowns were produced from start to finish, Vanessa joined the team at Lea-Ann Belter where the retail store and production department are seamlessly intertwined. This gave her the perfect blend of working closely with brides from their first appointment to final fitting, as well as collaborating with Lea-Ann and the team to develop new collections for bridal fashion week. When given the opportunity to purchase the brand she had grown so passionate about, it was the culmination of a dream and a lot of sentiment as Vanessa wore two Lea-Ann Belter gowns on her wedding day.

Lea-Ann Belter

Founder & Designer

Forever painting and drawing, Lea-Ann knew from a young age that her future lay in creativity. Designing a wedding dress for her brother’s fiancée changed her life. The experience combined her love of fashion, fine fabrics, timeless aesthetics, and couture craftsmanship. 

After graduating from the Sheridan College of Crafts and Design, she earned her diploma from the International Academy of Design and Merchandising. Lea-Ann then trained with a couturier, refining the flawless execution and impeccable quality that have defined her work.

Before long, she opened her first Toronto wedding gown boutique in 1990. Five years later, she launched the Lea-Ann Belter Bridal Collection, now sold through a network of retailers throughout Canada and the United States.

Today, Vanessa and Lea-Ann uphold the brand’s commitment to impeccable craftsmanship and timeless design.

Fumika

Production Manager

I am originally from Japan and came to Toronto to study Fashion Design at George Brown College. As production manager, I love that there is always something new to learn and challenges to solve. I enjoy leading the team and am proud of consistently delivering results on time. In my spare time I love to go hiking with my husband and our little pug named Malu. I have also gained the title Pug Lady and I am proud of it.

Brad

Master Cutter

I studied at the International Academy of Design and Technology, and I got lucky and started this job the same week I graduated, 19 years ago. I enjoy being around everyone on the team and getting to be a part of the gown creation process. I also have my own fashion label and get to create custom bowties for our Toronto brides. Outside of work, I spend time with my wife, who wore a Lea-Ann Belter gown for our wedding day, and our four year old daughter going on fun adventures together.

Debbie

Master Draper & Pattern Maker

I studied Fashion Design at the International Academy of Merchandising and Design. I love working alongside my workmates making beautiful gowns and I am happy to be part of such a creative team where I continue to learn new skills. When I am not snowboarding in the mountains across Canada, you can find me spending time with my husband, two kids, our cat Cashew and two little budgies.

Yulia

Draper & Sample maker

I studied at the College of Tailoring in my home city of Odessa, Ukraine and have been sewing for over 20 years. I was lucky enough to find a position here after moving to Toronto in 2023. I love working with all of our laces and creating samples for each collection. When I am not making wedding gowns, you can find me making dresses for my twin daughters out of our scraps, or out with my husband and our girls exploring different parts of our city.

Inna

Alteration Specialist & Dress Maker

I started sewing as a child when I wanted to create fun clothing for my barbies. Through independent learning, I started sewing more challenging items and eventually made wedding dresses later in my career. After moving to Canada from Ukraine 3 years ago, I joined the Lea-Ann Belter team and I love that I keep learning new things and being around sweet and warm people. A fun little life hack I like to live by is that if you ignore a problem for a few days, it will solve itself or be forgotten about.

Kwan

Dress Maker

I knew how to sew from a young age, and before joining Lea-Ann Belter, I sewed at a previous design studio. Two of my sisters were a part of the Lea-Ann Belter team at that time and brought me on. It was here that I refined my skills with draping, alterations and dress making while working alongside Lea-Ann. My favorite part of working here is the friendly environment. I am proud to say that my daughter wore a Lea-Ann Belter gown for her wedding a few years ago.

Katia

Hand Finisher & Content Creator

I learned valuable experience working at bridal designer Oksana Mukha’s studio in Ukraine, where I am from. When I moved to Toronto four years ago, I spent some time with a local Toronto designer before joining the Lea-Ann Belter team. I am truly happy working here because I am surrounded by positivity and the opportunity to grow. A fun fact about me is that I have gained the nickname ‘Batman’ in Ukraine because I am so quick with sewing and completing projects ahead of schedule. I also had my wedding gown designed by the team at Lea-Ann Belter and have a sweet kitten named Kiko.

Nina

Veil Specialist

I joined Lea-Ann 33 years ago when she was a budding bridal designer in Toronto, and have been with her throughout her entire journey. It has been amazing to be a part of each milestone, and this makes work that much more special for me. One of my favorite things is when our Toronto brides bring heirloom pieces that they want to incorporate somewhere on their veil. On weekends you can find me at my daughter’s hockey games, or spending time with my family, walking my dog Billy, and hanging with our two cats Echo and Boomerang.

Tia

Administrator & QC Specialist

I first started working in luxury bridal 19 years ago, styling brides, merchandising and performing quality control. I joined Lea-Ann Belter two years ago and love being surrounded by incredible people, luxurious textiles, and wonderful vendors. Seeing gowns come to life from paper to the finished product is exciting for me, and I take pride in handling quality control for each order. When I am not at work, you will find me spending time with my husband, our cat Penelope, and two rescue dogs named Benny and Bo Jackson.

Kevin

Logistics Coordinator

I have been with the team for four years and I handle all logistics to ensure production runs smoothly. I love working with the team, driving around the city, and chatting with each member daily. A fun fact about me is that I am a professional musician, often performing at weddings and sometimes they happen to be for our very own brides. I also have a pup named Quincey Jones.

Karen

Wholesale Manager

Prior to becoming our wholesale manager, I had my own salon and was the first store to sell Lea-Ann’s designs. I have been with Lea-Ann since the start of her wholesale business and after joining the team full time, I have loved working with different retailers across North America. Besides working closely with stores, I enjoy being directly involved in the design process for each new collection. A fun fact about me is that I am fluent in Spanish, I volunteer with Meals on Wheels and have a rescue pitty named Kiwi.

Jessica

Blog Specialist

I love a good romance—reading them, writing them, and writing about them. Which is probably why I ended up owning a bridal salon for seven years! Fun fact—Lea-Ann Belter was one of the first designers we carried. Now, I get to write about love on the Lea-Ann Belter blog, which is such a joy. Plus, all those meet-cute stories are great inspiration for writing romantic comedies! When I’m not reading or writing, I can be found riding my horse Donna Summer, walking our dogs Billy and Miss Vanjie, hanging out with my husband, and baking.