Meet the Ukranian couple designing beautiful wedding gowns in Birmingham
At NiEl Bridal Atelier in Forest Park, Birmingham, a dressmaker named Mykola Vyshyvanyuk creates unique custom-made wedding gowns with the assistance of his wife, Olena. Previously, the couple operated a bridal boutique in Lviv, Ukraine but, due to the war in 2022, they sought solace in the heart of Alabama. Now, after two years in their new home, Mykola has unveiled a collection of custom gowns, affectionately titled “Magic in the City”, inspired by his family’s new life in Birmingham.
From Lviv, Ukraine to Birmingham, Alabama
Mykola, a graduate of Veloudaky Fashion College in Athens, Greece, had always envisioned owning a bridal shop, which he eventually realised in 2012 upon his family’s return to Ukraine. As the father of three daughters, Eva, Ionna, and Viktoriia, Mykola has always held an affinity towards designing fashion for women and girls, finding wedding gowns the most inspiring to work on.
However, when war broke out in Ukraine, the couple had to repurpose their skills to participate in the war effort. Mykola shares, “We worked as volunteers and created different equipment for soldiers like vests, hoping that war would end soon. When war started, no one needed wedding dresses anymore, and we had no possibility to ship orders. It was so different from wedding dresses, but we could save someone’s life.”
A New Beginning in Birmingham
After tireless and dangerous months of volunteering, the couple had to make the difficult decision to close NiEl Bridal Atelier and relocate their family for their safety. They found a Birmingham family through the United 4 Ukraine program who were willing to sponsor and aid them in settling into the new city.
For Mykola, the opportunity for a fresh start also meant finding a way to reignite his passion for bridal fashion. “From the moment we found our safe place and new home, I had one big dream—to get my store back. I wanted to recreate it here and to be able to provide a new life and education for my family. Now, I can say—it’s a blessing to be able to do what you love and create incredibly beautiful and elegant gowns for happy brides. It is my inspiration,” he tells us.
The “Magic in the City Collection” inspired by Birmingham
Inspired by their new life in Birmingham, Mykola and Olena have put together a collection of wedding gowns under the theme, “Magic in the City”. Speaking of their life in the Magic City, Mykola expresses both gratitude and hope for the future. “I can truly say—we love Birmingham. This city welcomed us so warmly…We were able to start over here. And we have great hope that this city will love our creations and support NiEl Bridal Atelier.”
To explore more of Mykola and Olena’s designs, visit NiEl Bridal Atelier on social media or at their physical store in Birmingham at 701 37th Street S, Birmingham, AL 35222. It’s open from Monday to Saturday, between 9AM – 6PM.