The Bachelorette's Desiree Siegfried Cites Fellow Alumna Monique Lhuillier as Inspiration To Pursue Bridal Design

In the short time since Desiree Siegfried has graduated from FIDM with her Fashion Design degree, she has worked as a designer in the fashion industry, become a TV personality—starring on ABC’s The Bachelor and The Bachelorette (where she met her husband, Chris Siegfried), started a family, and most recently launched her own bridal line, Desiree Hartsock Bridal. On her first market, she sold her brand into 11 stores. We caught up with her to find out more about this inspiring entrepreneur and bridal designer.

Tell us a little about yourself: I'm just your girl-next-door type who loves the beach and exploring this beautiful world we live in. I hail from Denver, CO but left to pursue my dreams in California the moment I graduated. I attended FIDM from 2004-2006 and with my degree I was able to eventually work as a production assistant and then designer for a plus-size women's clothing company, Kiyonna. There I learned the ins and outs of running a successful clothing brand. I couldn't stay away from bridal though so I worked in various bridal salons to gain experience working directly with brides. Before I knew it my path took a different route and placed me on The Bachelor and then The Bachelorette where I met my husband and moved to Seattle, WA to build our family—which now includes an adorable toddler and a long-haired dachshund. After working with various companies on bridal collaborations, I decided to take the leap and start my own bridal brand last fall. It has been my dream to do this since graduating and am so grateful for this opportunity to now share my designs with the world.

What inspired you to go into bridal design? For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to design evening and red carpet dresses. While I was in school I came across Monique Lhuillier's sketches hanging on the wall (since she was a FIDM grad) and was really inspired to pursue bridal because I loved the intricacy and meaning behind a wedding dress and the detail that goes into each one.

What inspires you in your designs? I am truly inspired by nature and the serenity it brings, which is translated into my designs. When it comes to creating collections I do really love incorporating vintage details or pulling inspiration from different cultures and eras.

Who would you like to see next in one of your designs?! I would die if any celebrity wore one of my gowns for their wedding day or a red carpet event but I especially love Blake Lively, Margot Robbie, and Jessica Alba as they all have a very relaxed, down-to-earth and confident vibe about them that reflects the bride I aim to dress.

How do you feel FIDM prepared you for what you are doing now? FIDM definitely paved the way for me to understand the design process and how to piece together a collection in a visually pleasing and effective way while also learning the knowledge of construction and how each piece is to be made. I learned the foundation of what is needed to succeed in the fashion industry.

Tell us about some of the business milestones you’ve achieved along the way: Since this is my first year as a bridal brand I am experiencing milestones frequently, but one of the biggest I've achieved thus far is getting my gowns into 11 stores during our first market. I can't reach or sell brides without having wonderful bridal salons to carry my gowns in and share with brides.

Tell us one major reward of bridal design: The most rewarding part of designing wedding gowns is knowing that a bride will walk down the aisle on one of the most important days of her life in one of my designs. There is nothing better than designing for a bride in mind and knowing it is going to make her wedding dreams a reality.

Tell us one major challenge of running your own business: The most challenging aspect of running your own business is time and financial management. I'm not able to do what I love without staying on top of tasks, responsibilities and funds each and every day to ensure my business can keep growing and I can keep living out my dreams. For many creatives, this is the hardest part and why it's also the most important to keep in mind.

Any advice for someone who wants to become a bridal designer? For anyone looking to enter the fashion or bridal industry as a designer, never lose the hope or faith that you will one day become whoever it is you want to be. It doesn't happen overnight, it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of preparation but no matter the obstacles, never give up. If designing is your purpose and your passion, it will one day come to pass—so don't compare yourself to others, don't let negative comments or constructive criticism get you down because the only one that can keep you from living out your dreams is yourself. Learn from those who have walked the path before you, and don't let yourself get in the way.

What is your biggest goal right now? My biggest goal right now is to have brides fall in love with my dresses since they are just now available in select bridal stores. We would also like to get into many more stores across the globe but a brand cannot sustain without the customer to first enjoy and purchase the product so brides are our focus right now.

Categories:  Fashion Design