Patrice Catan
Designer, Bridal Entrepreneur, CEO of Catan Fashions
A creative entrepreneur behind one of the country’s largest bridal boutiques, Patrice Catan grew up in her father’s Cleveland, Ohio-based craft business that evolved into Pat Catan’s Craft Centers. A designer by trade, Patrice began creating some of the first wood fiber flowers that were the start of the floral industry, eventually designing bouquets, bridal headpieces and accessories while in school. Eventually her father, Pat Catan, carved out a store within a store at the Strongsville Pat Catan’s flagship store to house her wedding designs. This was the start of Catan Fashions.
Catan Fashions offered the ultimate bridal experience with three salons, 65 dressing rooms with dedicated consultants, 21 seamstresses for alterations, dresses for mothers and bridesmaids, a tux shop, runway for fashion shows, a bistro and a continuous inventory of at least 1,000 bridal gowns. Catan Fashions sold an average of 2,000 bridal gowns per year. Catan Fashions also ran a premier events division that planned weddings, social gatherings and high-profile celebrations like the lighting of Cleveland Playhouse Square’s grand chandelier.
Patrice provided a rewarding work environment with benefits and personally trained staff. She constantly walked the floor, and in its years, every order was fulfilled and tailored to specification—no exceptions. A designer and entrepreneur at heart, Patrice is a sought-after industry educator. She closed Catan Fashions in 2016 with a desire to focus on family. She and husband Greg Alberty have three sons
and nine grandchildren—their ultimate pride and joy. The same year, Pat Catan’s Craft Centers sold to The Michaels Companies following her father’s passing at age 81.
Patrice staged an encore when she opened a small bridal boutique, where she only sold dresses she designed: 220 different patterns for sizes 0 to 30. This salon closed amid Covid-19 in 2020 and today, Patrice continues teaching the lessons from her father and measures her success by the respect she earns from others.
During her career, Patrice was commissioned by Cleveland’s Western Reserve Historical Society to replicate headpieces and bouquets for a special wedding exhibit. She earned Retailer of the Year (The DEBI Awards) from the National Bridal Association. She shares her time and resources with others, participating in Make A Wish Foundation, Big Shots & Little Stars, Victory Gallop, Cornerstone of Hope,
The Cleveland Clinic Mental Health Department under Dr. Malone, and Girls Hope & Boys Hope, among others.
Now, Patrice is sharing her business and bridal insight and stories through an Evergreen Podcasts’ series, Tales from Behind the Veil.
