Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Marino
Hi Shawna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My passion for fashion design began early on, and after obtaining a dual major in Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising, I went on to specialize in bridal design. From my time in New York City working alongside Allison Webb, I have excelled my skills in luxury gown pattern making, draping, production, and embellishment design. I then had a foot in the door and take my shot at producing my own first collection, and it took off from there.
I started getting offers to attend bridal markets, participate in many fashion shows, and had some publicists reach out about high end clientele wearing my dresses. After that I just kept on moving forward and learning every step of the way. I think I went through every setback, error, and struggle a brand owner could face. It grew me as a person, and I can easily tackle problems now that others would consider nightmares.
Through this process I really found my niche and what I enjoyed to design which is mini dresses. I have dabbled a bit in the couture mini dresses as well; however, my main focus is bridal minis. I focus so much on my quality and fit of dresses that I create from working with my production team down to every last stitch placement.
As the brand grew I had done a brand photo shoot in Charleston, and within a month of that shoot I up and moved my whole company to the south. With Charleston being a bridal capital it was the perfect location for my luxury bridal minis. The brand is still growing and I am definitely learning every day from new challenges and sewing techniques, but there is such a bright future ahead with so many brides to be!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. When I launched my brand it took off fast with gaining attention then all of the sudden COVID shut the world down after 3 months in business. That was a trying time of profit loss, but I did learn a lot about business and structure that has prepared to to handle a lot of big CEO tasks myself. I also had setbacks with buyers and certain retailers. Then there is the matter of fashion shows and theft of dresses that you sometimes encounter. Even most recently I had to walk away from my supplier of 5 years due to continuous issues. That was truly a nightmare because I has worked so hard to get to that point and now in the process of starting all over with a supplier that I can trust, and that is going to exclusively produce my pieces. There a lot of dark areas in the fashion world that can be tough to navigate so it isn’t easy and you need a little bit of grit and a whole lot of Jesus to persevere.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a bridal gown designer, and I specialize in bridal mini and high end couture dresses. I am most proud of my quality, design standards, and ethics that are the statues of my brand. I focus so much on fit and only producing ethically made pieces. I believe I am set apart because I don’t design off trends or what is in. I design a lot of mini outfits for myself that tend to get a lot of attention, and that’s where my collections are designed from. Typically I am not a pen to paper sketchbook designer. I tend to find a unique or rare fabrics, and create dresses from the vision they give me.
How do you think about luck?
I would say good. I had a lot of luck at the start by having the connections I needed to get started. If I didn’t have that I wouldn’t know where to start and probably hold back. I think that luck gave me the faith to just go for it without second guessing, and just to make it happen no matter how many times I have to innovate or pivot.
Pricing:
- Bridal Minis – $600+
- Couture Minis- $800+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shawnamdesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sm_bridal.couture/
Image Credits
Krissy Millar Photo
Alex Blake Photography
Erin Kay Photography
Piper Baxter Photography
