Casa Mauricio's Beginning

Named for her father, Julia Elena opened Casa Mauricio in 1983, designing evening gowns and cocktail dresses for Washington's elite. Some of her most notable clients have been Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan and Treasury Secretary Catherine Da Valo Ortega. Secretary Ortega is still a frequent customer, and travels from the west coast for design services.

Julia Elena fondly remembers Barbara Bush as someone who gave her much encouragement when she was struggling during her early days in the United States.

Transforming to a Bridal Salon

Although Julia Elena greatly enjoyed designing evening gowns, she wanted to do something really special and unique with her talents. She recognized the absence of her couture design service in the bridal market. So in 1998, Casa Mauricio became a salon specializing exclusively in the design of couture wedding gowns.

Today, Casa Mauricio remains the only bridal salon of its kind in the Washington Metropolitan area.

Julia Elena's Philosophy

Julia Elena's philosophy about design and her brides is the reason for her success - "Simplicity and beauty make elegance." But it is less about simplicity and more about intimacy than anything else. Julia Elena believes that establishing an intimate relationship with the bride is the most important step to realizing the perfect gown. Through this intimate relationship, she is able to define the special qualities of each bride and create the gown of her clients' dreams.

Before fashion design though, Julia Elena is first psychology. Because of her love of people, she studies the subject with great fascination and enthusiasm and today believes this is one of the reasons why she is able to connect so well with her clients.

The Winning Combination

This commitment to simplicity and intimacy has been a winning combination for many famous designers, including Edith Head, the legendary costume designer for the silver screen, who reportedly had the extraordinary ability to adapt to the whims of the Hollywood stars for whom she designed.

Julia Elena, like Edith Head, offers something quite extraordinary for this day and age - highly personalized service, a respect for the glamour and quality of vintage designs and the ability to create wedding gowns that perfectly compliment, not overshadow, the natural inner and outer beauty that radiates from each bride on her wedding day.

A Unique Experience

Julia Elena's designs, while being fresh and new, retain the quality of vintage, heirloom craftsmanship. The time honored traditions of customer service guide her work. When a bride attends a consultation at Casa Mauricio, she is not forced into the mold of a cookie cutter bridal gown, but rather has the unique experience of encountering someone who listens to her desires, and who genuinely cares about the biggest day of her life.

Each time a Casa Mauricio gown is worn down the aisle, it is the biggest day of Julia Elena's life.

Julia Elena

Julia Elena has designed couture dresses for nearly 20 years. A native of Peru, Julia Elena studied design for five years at Bien del Hogar in Arequipa, Peru. She credits her father with her success, as it was his encouragement that led her to study fashion design.

In addition to her business, Julia Elena is a devoted wife, mother, daughter and sister. She is devoted to her family and is especially thankful to her parents Mauricio and Juana for their love and support through life.