Welcome!

I’m Joy

Your go-to blogger for all your special occasions.

My love for fashion started in childhood with Barbie, whose endless wardrobe inspired my fascination with dressing up. This passion grew into over 20 years of experience in retail buying and merchandise planning, where I developed a deep understanding of the fashion industry. My obsession with award show red carpets led me to create my blog, Glam to the Max Gowns, a space celebrating the magic of dressing up for life’s special occasions—weddings, proms, galas, holidays, and more. I believe everyone deserves to feel glamorous, no matter their budget, and dressing up is a joy we all experience at least once, and often many times in our lifetime.

After stepping away from the industry to focus on family and support my husband’s business, I’m thrilled to return to my true passion—formal fashion and trend forecasting. With years of expertise in launching brands, managing multimillion-dollar businesses, and spotting trends, I’m eager to inspire others with fresh ideas for looking their best on special occasions.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband, our dog, and our son who is away at college. As a recent empty nester, I’ve embraced this chapter to rediscover my love for fashion, writing, and curating style inspiration.

Happy reading!

-Joy

Writer Joy Ghamgosar of Glam to the Max Gowns Blog
College girls dressed for a sorority dance.

Behind the blog

How it all started

I have always been an award show junkie, obsessing over every red carpet moment and the stunning gowns that define them. What started as casual Facebook and Instagram comments on celebrity looks quickly turned into something more when friends began texting me, eager to hear my thoughts on the night’s best-dressed stars. Encouraged by their enthusiasm, I began posting photos and collages highlighting trends, standout designs, and my personal favorites. Over time, my process and commentary became more elaborate – not just reacting to the dresses but also highlighting the designers behind them and how each star’s personal style influenced their fashion choices.
A turning point came when an old co-worker (who had recently pivoted careers) encouraged me to take this hobby further. She was doing similar work for a fashion company and found it deeply rewarding, which inspired me to launch my own space dedicated to formal fashion. She reminded me that my background in trend forecasting gave me a unique perspective and that people valued my insights. I have also always loved writing, so this blog became the perfect way to combine my passion for fashion and storytelling. That’s how Glam to the Max Gowns was born—a blog and platform to guide and inspire anyone looking for the perfect outfit, whether for a wedding, prom, gala, or any special event. You can now find my picks not just on Instagram and Pinterest but also on my new blog and website, where I dive deeper into trends, styling tips, and everything glamorous.

Get to Know Me

coffee order

Iced Sugar-Free Vanilla Latte

GO-TO Outfit

Cashmere Sweater & Jeans

MUST WORN ACCESSORY

Van Cleef & Arpels Clover Necklace

STYLE MUSE

Zendaya

FAVORITE COLOR

Blue

coveted gown designer

Elie Saab

Preferred Nail Color

Funny Bunny or Girl Gone Plaid

currently binging

Lioness

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FAQs

When I’m shopping for a special occasion look, my process is very intentional and detail-oriented. I start by considering the event’s dress code, venue, and vibe. For example, is it black tie, cocktail, or semi-formal? This sets the tone for my outfit choices.

Next, I think about how I want to feel and present myself. Whether it’s confident, elegant, bold, or playful, I look for styles, colors, and silhouettes that reflect that mood while also complementing my body type. I typically begin browsing online for inspiration to get a sense of current trends and styles that resonate with me. Shopstyle is a great shopping tool! I’ll save photos or create a mood board to narrow my vision. Then, I decide on my budget and start exploring retailers or designers that align with both my style and price point.

Once I find a few options, I pay close attention to the details: fabric, fit, embellishments, and construction. I also factor in practicality – Can I dance in it? Will it wrinkle easily? – and how versatile the piece might be for future occasions.
Finally, I complete the look with accessories, shoes, and hair/makeup ideas that enhance the overall vibe. Sometimes, I’ll plan these extras first if I already have a statement piece I want to use. The goal is always to balance standout elements with timeless elegance to ensure I feel confident and comfortable.

I got started in my retail fashion career by pursuing an internship with a retail chain while I was in college. At the time, I was a marketing major, but I had a passion for fashion and wanted to combine the two. The internship gave me hands-on experience in the industry and confirmed my interest in this field. After I graduated, that same company offered me a position as a merchandise assistant. In this role, I managed orders, catalog looks, store assortments, and samples. It was the perfect entry point to learn the fundamentals of retail buying and merchandising.

Over the course of my buying career, I worked with just three retailers, but each one taught me invaluable lessons about the industry – from trend forecasting and inventory planning to customer behavior and branding. Each role built on the last, giving me a well-rounded understanding of the retail fashion world.

For anyone looking to get started in retail fashion, I recommend exploring internships or entry-level opportunities where you can gain exposure to the inner workings of the industry. Combine your academic knowledge with hands-on experience, and don’t underestimate the power of networking and following your passion – it can lead you to opportunities you never expected.

The ideal timeline to buy your glam special occasion look really depends on the type of event, but here are some general guidelines I recommend:

  • Wedding Dresses: Start shopping about 1 year in advance. Wedding gowns often require significant lead time for ordering and alterations. This also allows time to explore different styles without feeling rushed.
  • Mother of the Bride/Groom and Bridesmaid Dresses: Plan to purchase these about 6-9 months ahead of the wedding. This gives everyone time to coordinate with the bride’s vision, account for group fittings, and ensure timely alterations.
  • Wedding Guest, Prom, Formals, and Black-Tie Events: For these occasions, I suggest shopping around 3 months before the event. This keeps your look in season while leaving enough time for shipping, returns, or tailoring if needed.

Shopping too early for events like prom or black-tie galas might mean you miss out on newer, trendier styles. On the flip side, waiting until the last minute can leave you with limited options.

Ultimately, planning ahead ensures you have plenty of time to find the perfect look, make adjustments, and accessorize to perfection without added stress.

I create my red carpet trend recaps and forecasts through a detailed and immersive process. First, I scour hundreds of photos online, across dozens of websites that showcase red carpet arrivals. This allows me to gather a wide variety of looks and perspectives from different angles.

Once I’ve collected enough images, I lay them all out side by side to identify patterns and commonalities – whether it’s a recurring silhouette, color palette, fabric choice, or design detail. Seeing everything at once helps me spot congruencies that might not be immediately obvious otherwise.

From there, I create photo collages to visually represent each trend. These collages are key for grouping similar styles together, whether it’s dramatic ball gowns, bold jewel tones, or intricate embellishments.

Finally, I write about my observations, weaving in details about the designers behind the standout looks and how these trends might influence future fashion seasons. It’s a meticulous but incredibly rewarding process that combines my love for fashion, analysis, and storytelling.

Looking for the perfect outfit for your next special occasion? I offer personalized styling services to help you find a look that makes you feel confident and glamorous. Whether you need guidance for a wedding, gala, prom, or any formal event, I provide tailored recommendations to match your style, budget, and vision.

Styling Services:
✔ In-Person Styling – One-on-one sessions where we can shop together in-store or style looks from your existing wardrobe.
✔ Virtual Styling (Zoom) – A convenient option for detailed styling advice from anywhere.
✔ Email Consultations – Receive a curated selection of outfit recommendations, complete with shoppable links to help you find your perfect look effortlessly.

Brand Collaborations & Affiliations:
I also partner with brands and companies in the fashion and special occasion space. If you’re interested in collaborations, brand partnerships, or affiliations, let’s connect to create something amazing together.

For inquiries, contact me at [email protected]. 

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Bride carrying a beautiful bouquet
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formals & Dances
Black Tie Affair

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