Meet the Designer: Desiree Siegfried of Desiree Hartsock Bridal
As I began looking for bridal lines, I already knew the first one I wanted was Desiree Hartsock's line. As a lifelong bachelor fan, I had been following her for a while and watched her journey (*wink*) as a designer unfold. Her gowns definitely have a touch of the Pacific Northwest in them, which I love because here in the South we need more BOHO in our lives! Plus, with the NC mountains just up the road, I just knew these were the perfect gowns to start my collection.
How did you get started with bridal fashion? Have you always been into design?
Ever since I was little I was sketching and drawing clothes and had my mom teach me how to sew when I was 9 years old. It's been an interest for as long as I can remember but wasn't until high school when I knew for sure I would pursue design when I saw a flier for FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising).
What pushed you to launch your own line?
Since attending fashion school I always wanted to one day have my own line. Of course that takes many different resources and flexibility in schedule to be able to do so, so once I felt I was able and ready to launch I jumped right in!
Where do you draw inspiration from? Are you always drawing/doodling new designs or do set aside certain times to design?
I'm always drawn to nature, the beauty and the freedom of it all, and my design aesthetic emulates this in each collection. Since I am still a new designer and small business I wear many hats to make it all come together. As much as I would love to design all the time and doodle as much as I can, reality is that I have to set aside about a month each season I'm creating a collection to be able to focus my energy and time into designing. I am more intentional with each design this way and manage my time with other tasks that need to be completed at the same time.
What is your current favorite gown in the newest collection and why? If you can pick one!
I would say I really resonate and adore Cadence. I feel like she encompasses all the elements of the brand I'm still evolving into- whimsical, effortless, romantic and free-spirited.
What advice would you give brides for picking their dress?
Choose for you, not others. If you feel like the most beautiful person on earth in a gown and get butterflies thinking about walking down the aisle in it, then don't let outside opinions change that feeling you have. It's your day! Also, be open-minded when you start shopping for your wedding dress. You never know what you might end up liking!
If you weren't designing wedding dresses, what would you be doing?
Traveling!
Any other fun facts about you? For example, what do you and your family do for fun or what is your favorite memory as a designer or favorite thing about being a designer?
As a family we love to be outdoors whenever possible which is a great reason to be in Oregon. There's just so much to see and so much to do for families!
My favorite thing about designing is that I feel my most inspired when I am creating and absolutely LOVE when I get to see real brides on their wedding day in one of my dresses. Means the world to me and the number one reason why I design. I love it!
Thank you Des for sharing your story with us today!
View several of Desiree's gowns below (clicking them takes to view all the blogs for them) and click the pink box to listen to her on the Twirl Talk podcast!
