Today we’d like to introduce you to Desireé Singletary.
Hi Desireé, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up with three siblings and we are all Army brats. We lived all over the US before coming to Florida. I learned how to sew at an early age from both my mother and grandmother. Second-hand clothes have always been a part of my life. So sewing came hand in hand for me because we would get handy-down clothes and they would not fit me or not be my style, so I used my sewing skills and I started giving them new life. This lit a fire in me by the time I was in high school and I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life–make clothes. We had a fashion design class in high school that I excelled in so I entered Fashion Design and Merchandising at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Orlando where I received my Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in 2011.
I started my brand, Desireé Marie right after college. I started out designing Ready-to-Wear items and after a few years, I was asked to make a wedding dress for a friend. After that amazing feeling of making someone’s dream dress, I honed in on what I wanted to do with my business–Work one-on-one with brides to create their dream dress! I met my husband when we were just kids, and he has been a huge supporter. We tied the knot in 2018, and I love my wedding dress. I was inspired by him and our love. (Cue the awws) We lived in Austin, Texas from 2015-2020 and we moved back to Florida to be closer to our families this year. The road here was bumpy, and I probably could write a book about my mistakes along the way.
As an entrepreneur, I don’t always see how far I have come because I am always looking to the future and how to improve. But I am only now able to now do my business full-time, and I am so grateful. I worked under many seamstresses and other designers before getting here. I also have many facets of income within my business. My passion is wedding dresses. So I not only create wedding dresses, veils, and formal wear gowns, but I work with brides who already found their dream dresses with alterations and custom changes. Another way I pay the bills is I offer custom machine embroidery and I have worked with several local businesses on embroidered merchandise. It allows me to still work from home and it is something that came easily to me. I love being a business owner and being able to make a statement through my art. I believe in inclusivity and I have always offered custom-made clothing because we all have unique bodies, and we all deserve a unique dress.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
One big struggle for so long was having multiple jobs and still giving my business enough attention to keep it going. This was mainly a financial struggle. Another struggle was just being overwhelmed by the fashion industry. I used to believe I had to live in NYC, pay showroom costs, and go to market in order to make it as a fashion designer. But I made my own path and brides live everywhere, so I do not need to be in a big city to do what I love.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a bridal designer and seamstress. I work one-on-one with brides to create their dream dresses. I am known for creating my own designs that are romantic, sexy, fun, unique, and untraditional. My most recent collection, Southwest Bridal has embroidery, fringe, color, and all the looks are meant to be worn with cowgirl boots. I’m most proud of my own wedding dress! It has a sparkly illusion bodice, green/silver lace appliques, a mermaid skirt over nude satin, removable tulle bell sleeves, an embroidered small silver cat hidden in the lace, removable duchess ivory silk satin over-skirt that lights up, and an embroidered cathedral champagne veil that reads “…and they lived happily ever after”
What sets me apart from other bridal designers is I am so passionate about making the perfect dress for you that fits you perfectly! I have met some great ladies through this business and I am still friends with a lot of my clients. Let’s be friends!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love that I met my husband here. I love the lakes and the parks around every corner. I love the history here, I love the history I have here. I love being close to our families. I may have lived all over as a child being an Army brat, but I only remember the south. I remember Georgia, Florida, and Texas. So the south is what I love. I love being in central Florida so my husband can travel the state with his job and still make it home most nights. What I love least about my city is the lack of quality fabric stores.
Pricing:
- Custom Wedding Dresses starting at $1500 or $2000 for Silk gowns
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.desireemariedesign.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/desireemariedesign
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/desireemariedesigns
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/dezisingletary
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/desiree-marie-design-lakeland-2
Image Credits
1. Rooted Trumpet Photography 2. Aly Matei Photography 3. Rivers Light Photography 4. Al Gawlik Photography 5. Marina Wanders Photography 6. Donny Tidmore Photography
