Local Tailor Has 'Old-School Tailor Mentality'

In John Pontello’s 20-plus years in the tailoring business, he’s worked on hundreds of suits, bridal and prom dresses, skirts and the like.

So it’s no surprise that the 15-year Powder Springs resident was chosen to present a workshop at —organized by the Cobb Bridal Alliance and the Cobb County Convention & Visitors Bureau. He will be offering tips on how to pick the right dresses for bridesmaids. 

“Because that, believe it or not, can be a chore,” said the 44-year-old owner of .

The bridal show is set for March 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Taylor-Brawner House at 3188 Atlanta Road Southeast in Smyrna. Admission is free.

Pontello will be one of 37 vendors—nearly all of whom reside in Cobb County—at the show, said Irene Tyndale with the Bridal Alliance.

Tyndale explained that Pontello was selected to do the workshop because he is experienced in both tailoring and how he delivers his services. 

“He’s just really good at what he does,” she said. “He can come to you or you can come to him.”

That’s right: For orders $75 and up, Pontello travels to the homes of those in need of clothing customizing. Something that makes Pontello’s business even more unique is he offers to attend the weddings of the brides he prepares dresses for.

“When I get done with the bride, if they request it, I also go to the wedding, and I am with them to help her get dressed,” he said. “So I am there through the wedding just in case there’s any fashion mishaps. That’s a service you don’t get from other bridal people.”

Tyndale said Pontello has an “old-school tailor mentality that you can’t find much anymore.”

“To have someone like him that can provide service like that is five-star,” she said.

Pontello said he knows of two other tailors in the area excluding himself: one in Austell and another in Lithia Springs. Tailoring, he added, depends on too specific of a clientele to be a widespread trait.

But he’s still working on expanding his business—possibly changing it from just altering and fixing clothing to creating apparel from scratch. That’s something he’s just started to do, though, so he hasn’t had any customers.

“I’m just dipping into that now,” he said.

Anyone wishing to take advantage of Pontello’s expertise for the upcoming prom season or any other tailoring matter can find his contact information here.