Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Langley-McClean.
Leah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a Chicago native. Since I was young, I’ve always been very passionate about designing women’s apparel. Despite my passion for fashion, I moved to Nashville to study accounting at Tennessee State University. I practiced accounting for over six years. During this time, I also continued to perfect my sewing and designing skills; creating a women’s line and doing numerous fashion shows. Although I’ve taken a much different path, I still found a way to become an exceptional fashion designer.
I transitioned into bridal in 2015 while planning my very own wedding. I’m a true testament to why brides should consider custom gowns. I struggled with the decision to make my own gown or buy off the rack. I experienced dresses not fitting right, a very limited selection for my size, pushy and just downright bad customer service, and the constant reminder that due to my shape I would have to spend a pretty penny on alterations. Beyond all of this, each dress that I did try on was always missing something. With that being said, it was obvious what I needed to do, so I designed and sewed a one-of-a-kind couture gown for myself.
Since my wedding, I’ve found myself wanting to stay in the bridal business. It’s one of the biggest days in a person’s life and I want to be a part of it. I’m prepared and honored to take on the responsibility of helping brides look their absolute best on such a big and special day.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh no, I’ve definitely had my struggles. I work full-time as an accountant until this day, with a husband and toddler. It’s always a struggle. Continuously trying to figure out how to juggle it all, when to press the gas, when to sit in neutral, you know? There are always conflicting priorities, so it can be really difficult at times. There’s also the struggle of working on the business, doing things like: focusing on growth, process improvement, branding, etc. all while being the primary sewer, fitting specialist, designer, and fabric source. In the beginning, you want to do everything yourself as a means of saving money or simply just not having the money. Right now, I’m to the point where we can hire, at least for contract work. (So, if you’re reading this and can sew very well, we’re hiring!) Now, the challenge is finding good help, people with great craftsmanship, integrity, and have the same values. So, there will always be new challenges as you grow, just address them and overcome them.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the elleNelle Bridal story. Tell us more about the business.
elleNelle Bridal is your go-to brand for all things custom bridal. We cater to the modern high fashion bride who makes her own rules. Our design aesthetic is contemporary, clean, and sleek. However, we are very flexible in our designing abilities and we can create a beautiful design for our more traditional brides. You make the rules; we make the dress! Our goal is to always go above and beyond to make our brides feel beautiful and stunning on their big day! All of our bridal gowns are made in Nashville and we take great pride in that! Our fabrics are ethically sourced from all over the world. We make it our daily mission to find a balance between luxury and sustainability. In fact, we now offer eco-friendly fabrics for sustainable wedding dresses as an option for our brides.
We’re known for our mermaid gowns and corsets, it’s kind of our thing! We love to showcase the curves! While doing so, our goal is to build in the support you need while still complimenting your dress so that you can limit the need for extra undergarments.
We offer so much! So, here’s the rundown:
– Bridal gowns, jumpsuits, reception dresses
– Bridesmaids dresses, specializing in large parties
– Mother of the Bride dresses
– Veils
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t know that I can say that luck has played a role. I believe God has blessed me with a great foundation, with my parents and upbringing. I’ve continued to be blessed with the continuation of support from my husband and friends. One thing I will say is things don’t necessarily come easy for me. I’ve always had to work hard for achieving goals that I’ve set out for myself. I see myself as an underdog at times because of my life experiences. I’ve faced a lot of rejection and disappointment, a lot of uphill battles, but that’s never stopped me. I just know I have to work hard for mine, I have perseverance, and that underdog mentality drives me to grind harder than most people I know.
Pricing:
- Custom Wedding Gowns $3,000+
- Custom Bridesmaids Gowns $300+
- Custom Reception Looks and Evening-wear $1,500+
- Consultation Fee $100 (to be applied toward your dress)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ellenellebridal.com
- Email: info@ellenellebridal.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ellenellebridal
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ellenellebridal
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/ellenelle-bridal-nashville-tn-995344
Image Credit:
Photographers: RJones Photography; Phillip Murhphy Photography; Shannon Bankston Photography; Myles Hi Photography; John Myers Photography; Motelewa Photography; Jon Reindl Photography; Model: Andrea @curvydre; Model: Tanya @ elchellebody
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