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Shelley Bailey knows Bridal Fashion

Shelley Bailey - The Wedding DressShelley Bailey is a fashion professional with over 20 year’s experience.  Although she has successfully clothed thousands of brides and bridal party members, she got her start in fashion around the tender age of 10, sewing clothes with her mother in her childhood home in Connecticut.

Her love of fashion compelled her to major in Fashion Design at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.  In this competitive program, Shelley learned how to construct couture garments starting with sketching the design, to draping the pattern, to fitting on the fit model, and finally to presenting her creations on the runway to be critiqued by world famous designers such as Kenneth Cole, Isaac Mizrahi,  and Louis Dell’Olio of Anne Klein.   As a junior, Shelley won two prestigious Silver Needle Awards for her creations from celebrated fashion designers Bob Mackie and Marc Jacobs.   As a hint of things to come, Shelley’s black lace cat suit wedding gown design for Gianni Versace closed out the Silver Needle Awards Fashion Show her senior year to a standing ovation.

After graduation, Shelley moved on to the fashion capital of America, New York City, where she mastered her craft working for the fashion houses of Michael Kors, Burbank Apparel, Leslie Fay, and Maggie Boutique/Maggie London.  Here, Shelley was an illustrator and an embroidery designer.

Next, Shelley set her sights on returning to her Connecticut roots to tackle a new challenge, working in the athletic apparel industry.  Working as a technical designer for Starter in New Haven, Connecticut, Shelley was able to refine her technical design skills, making clothing for the likes of NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL players.  Shelley even created a one-of-a-kind warm up suit for Shaquille O’Neal (she has the autographed photo from Shaq as a memento).

Her next fashion post in Connecticut was with the juniors clothing company Weathervane where she brought her technical design skills and knowledge of fashion production.  During this time, Shelley also apprenticed at a bridal boutique.

Throughout her fashion career, Shelley had always dreamed of opening her own bridal boutique.  She had a wonderful experience as a bride, and she wanted other women to have that same experience.  Shelley’s bridal boutique vision is embodied in The Wedding Dress.  Shelley cares deeply for each of her customers, and she treats them as if they were her own sister or mother.  Shelley also knows fabrics and garment construction.  She will be able to help you create that perfect look, as she knows what is possible in terms of draping, sizing, and alterations.  

Call today and set up your appointment at The Wedding Dress so you can experience what a difference a designer can make in selecting your bridal and bridal party gowns.  Come experience The Wedding Dress difference.

Marist College silver needle awards