Article by Olivia Wallin, 
Grace College Communications Student

Local woman, Sally Stauffer, returned to her hometown of Warsaw in 2010 to start her bridal design business. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in California. Her studies gave her specialized skills and experience for her business. Since 2010, she has launched her website and has hand-made a number of custom-fit bridal gowns.

Sally made her first custom outfit at the age of nine. Although this first creation was for her Barbie, it is what spawned her passion for fashion design. She would take the leftover cloth from her mother’s latest project and use that to make more clothes for her Barbie, who now had quite a stylish wardrobe.

Initially, she took some art classes at Grace College in 2005. Then, in 2007, she studied fashion in London at the American Intercontinental University. Eventually, she moved to Los Angeles, Calif., in 2008, for two years to gain her Associate of Arts with honors.

Sally welcomes a challenge. This is seen in how she traveled to a competitive school and graduated with honors. How, as a full time student at that school, worked as an assistant wardrobe stylist and in a few short months was promoted to department head. Sally’s story can inspire others to find something they love to do and go after it. Even though the odds seemed against her dreams, she rose to the challenge. Because of her perseverance, she now runs her own business of designing custom fit wedding gowns.