Sheilagh McCafferty, Founder
Her aesthetic approach often merges minimalism with historic classic detailing, a bit of drama, or a distinct sense of play. Sheilagh integrates storytelling throughout her body of work.
I want to see beauty through your eyes and let the design tell the story….your story. I’ve been designing most of my life, no matter what else was going on. I am a creative problem solver-whether as a mother, business manager, costume or couture wedding gown designer. I believe in taking what you have and making something beautiful.
I love it when my clients share with me: ”I have this idea..a feeling…kind of an enchanted forest princess in shades of green.” or “I want to honor my auntie, wear her gown for my wedding, but we have such different styles”. I’ve heard I want “Camo inspired country chic”, “Lets hide sugar skulls in the black lace on my mauve wedding gown”. “Scarpia is a baron, even his lacky must look rich”, “I sing heart music, the feminine warrior, we fight from the heart, and beauty, the gown must say all that”. “I’m a handsome woman, not the least bit girly”, “I’m not petite-dammit-I’m sporty!”, “It’s the story of this natural girl in a hi-fashion world-my story”. Then to hear: “You took my crazy ideas and made a gorgeous gown”. “My mother loved it, and I didn’t hate it! You really can deal with every personality”. “It’s exactly what I envisioned, it’s perfect”, “Sheilagh, you get me”. This is all music to my ears, I’m making dreams come to life!
- 1977-79 Wardrobe Mistress for Fredric Apcar Productions, (Harrah’s Casinos, Reno & Lake Tahoe)
- 1975-present Sheilagh Designs: Gowns for wedding, stage, evening, cultural events
- 1995-2018 Retail Management Luxury retail stores, Brand Manager (franchise) Coach in the Caribbean
- 2016-17 season Costumer for Pistarckle Theater, US Virgin Islands
- Sacramento Opera: 2018 Intern Tosca, 2019 Costumer Rigoletto, 2020 Costumer Barber of Seville
- 2019- American River College: Instructional Assistant in the Fashion Department
- SCC AA Sociology, Business, Applied Apparel Construction
- Bauder College AA Fashion Merchandising, Certificate of Modeling
