Student launches own bridal line in Tampa, FL.

Up and coming designer, Sam Varela launches Chic Bridal Designs, being featured in "Imagine" Fashion Show June 14, 2008 at Ala Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa, Florida. Chic Bridal Designs is an emerging fashion label servicing clients who are looking for a unique design for wedding gowns and formal wear.

Having been inspired by a black and white wedding cake, Sam Varela created her first black and white bridal gown as a school project. From that project stemmed more artistic designs that gave birth to Chic Bridal Designs, a company specializing in bridal gowns and formal wear.

A native from The Philippines, where it is customary to have a professional, whether a seamstress or a designer customize the gown, she was surprised to see the lack of this service in the United States. ?I always thought it was something common in this country.? said Sam.

Sam's inclination to design was no accident. When she was 15, she designed a dress and had it sewn. ?Because I lacked the resources, I had it made from an old curtain and remnant fabric, salvaged from an old dress?. Needless to say, it was a success. Her family and friends were impressed with her ingenuity. While she finished a BS degree in 1997, she moved to Tampa, Florida to pursue her love for fashion design at the International Academy of Design and Technology in 2005.

Still in college, she launched Chic Bridal Designs. She caters to clients who desire a customized wedding dress. Sam's signature designs reflect elegance and sophistication. She handpicks fabrics and embellishments and uses the finest chiffon, silk and beautifully embroidered fabrics.

Although Sam has received recognition from major department stores, she decided to focus her efforts on a private clientele and smaller bridal salons. ?While I love meeting clients face to face, I also realize that this will not always be possible, and so I decided to offer my designs to bridal salons. This way, I can reach a larger audience of brides who are looking for something different. I have clients who want the traditional, and on occasion, the non-traditional. One customer wanted a gown made from a green Chinese brocade dress. My clients always have a say in their own gowns.?

Sam is now working on her next collection to be released to bridal salons August of this year. Her first collection will be featured in an upcoming fashion show Imagine, hosted by The International Academy of Design and Technology on June 14, 2008 at the Ala Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa, FL. For additional information, please contact Sam Varela 727-519-4950 or visit www.chicbridaldesigns.com to view her collection.

Sam Varela,
owner Chic Bridal Designs
727-519-4950

Angi Arias,
Director of Public Relations and Marketing
706-332-9124
designer ( @ ) chicbridaldesigns dot com

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by Sam Varela (few years ago!)