Get To Know the Designer
Candace was born in Chicago and attended high school on the Westside of Chicago. Her heart belongs to Chicago! She also has roots in Kansas City, Missouri!! Candace has designed and constructed garments (Men, women and children) for friends, family and strangers via word of mouth. She has designed and constructed a wide range of garments from tailored coats to wedding attire.
Candace has an A.A Degree in Fashion Merchandising, a B.S. Degree in Fashion and an MBA in Business with a concentration in Management. A few relevant college level courses include; Advanced clothing construction, Tailoring, Flat pattern design, Fashion Fabrics and Costume History.
Candace’s work history includes Working as a Visual Merchandise Manager for a women’s specialty shop in downtown Chicago (Locations were in the Sears tower and the Water Tower), managing women’s specialty shops for over 10 years, managing banks for over 5 years (Including teaching financial literacy and community reinvestment coordinator) and working in the Higher Education field for over 13 years!!
Candace had worked part-time for a ballet company assisting with costume re-design and alterations.
**Candace is a member of the American Sewing Guild (ASG)**
**Prior Board Member for Dress for Success of Louisville, KY**
Mission Statement
To restore timeless glamour through heirloom-quality gowns that celebrate structured femininity, refined detail and intentional design.
How We Started
“I was Inspired to sew by my mother Henrietta Ward(Pictured left). For as long as I can remember, my mother, always had a sewing machine. As a little girl, I would watch her sew everyday. She encouraged me to take sewing courses beginning in Junior high school! I designed and constructed my first garment while in 7th grade. I designed and constructed my own prom dress in high school. My mother also served in the Women's Army Corp (WAC) in the 1950's and was featured in a book as being a trailblazer for being the first female from her community in the south to join the Army!
I was further inspired by my grandmother (Queen shown below) and my uncle Harold Ward. They were both classy and elegant entertainers! I have always loved the "Old Hollywood glamour " movies featuring Lena Horne, Eartha Kitt, Josephine Baker, Dorothy Dandridge, Cab Calloway and Marilyn Monroe to name a few.
I received an award while attending college for “Best Design” where I was featured in a local newspaper which further inspired me!.”
