Lyudviga Haute Couture, Birmingham

In an interview with Metromix, Lyudviga Shneyder shared that when she was a little girl, her grandmother told her that if she learned to sew, she would always have food on the table. With more than 25 years in the European and American fashion industries behind her, Russian–born Lyudviga has proven her grandmother right. From her boutique in downtown Birmingham, she showcases her own line of clothing, which casts a subtle spin on classic silhouettes.

Lyudviga confessed to the Birmingham Patch—which describes her designs as being suitable for black-tie events or the office—that she designs her clothing from the heart. Each stitch and seam is sewn onsite with the same fabrics showcased by famed Italian fashion houses such as Valentino.