A recent graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a major in Costume Design and Technology, we’re lucky to have Taylor as a member of the design team. She studied closely under Carolyn Walker, who helped Taylor develop problem-solving skills and techniques she will use her entire career.

Her background in theatrical costume construction, working closely with designers to bring their vision to life, has set a solid foundation for her current work. Taylor transforms bridal dresses of all eras into fresh designs based on client input.

In her free time you can find this Winston Salem native baking or listening to K-Pop and Podcasts.

Linda developed her expert-level sewing skills while working as the Costume Shop Manager at the Old Salem Museum & Gardens. There she created and repaired historically accurate costumes worn by the historic interpreters. During her time at the Museum she studied under her mentor Joy Reich who taught her “everything she knows!”

Linda is also inspired by her mother, Maxine Payne, whose resilience and positivity set an example for her Linda.

Today Linda's attention to detail and problem solving skills makes her a true asset to the team – and her skillful work can especially be appreciated on products like Linda’s favorite design, our Angel Tree Topper.

Hunter is a class of 2020 graduate of the UNC School of the Arts with a BFA in Costume Design and Technology. He has experience within varied capacities of the entertainment industry including Shakespeare festivals, large-scale musicals and operas, and theme parks.

Hunter's career guidance and encouragement came from his mother’s love and sacrifice partnered with his High School English teacher, Amy Bennett that introduced him to costume design.

Hunter enjoys spending quality time with his partner and their cats as well as getting to know new people. Because his work is driven by the experiences of others, it is no surprise he has already contributed so much to the Unbox the Dress Graceful Sewers™.

A Morganton, North Carolina resident, Luathsee is a valued new addition to the Graceful Sewers™! She received her degree from Appalachian State University where she was involved in several design showcases and student collaborative challenges. Her keen design eye is the reason behind the Swing Shorts being her favorite Unbox the Design product to create.

Luathsee finds inspiration for her career journey through her step-grandmother and mother. During her spare time, she can be found crafting, shopping, and taking photos.

Pamela has been a valuable member of the Graceful Sewers™ for two years, and brings considerable custom sewing experience to the team. Since her twenties, Pam has working in bridal shops on bridal alterations, as well as tailoring men's clothing.

Today she loves the unique nature of Unbox the Dress and the opportunity to make each customer dress into a one of a kind collection of family heirlooms. Pam says she loves sewing modern Getting Ready Bridal Robes for Unbox customers in a way that that echoes the original design elements of the customer's dress.

A love of sewing is a part of Jessica’s family history, as her grandmother was an “amazing seamstress with a strong work ethic!” Her personal passion for sewing sparked at a young age after spending time with her mother in a local quilt shop. “Being a curious kid, I learned all I could about machines, fabric, and how to sew!”

A graduate from East Carolina University with a degree in Animation and Interactive Design, she always found herself gravitating back to her love of sewing including making her own patterns and teaching sewing classes. She’s also currently planning her own wedding! The Unbox team is lucky to have her!

Aliyah is currently living in Winston-Salem after obtaining a degree in Theatre Design and Technology from Abilene Christian University. The bulk of her experience was gained while studying in college, however (close to the heart of Unbox the Dress) she remade her mother’s wedding dress to wear at her own wedding a few years back! Her favorite Unbox the Dress product to create and display her attention to detail, is the ever-sentimental ring bearer pillow.

Aliyah’s career and professional drive was fueled by her costume professor Catherine Baumgardener. She encouraged Aliyah take hone-in on her craft by providing mentorship and pushing her to seize every opportunity her school offered.

Brooke joined the team as an Apprentice Sewer after graduating from North Carolina School of the Arts with a degree in Stage Properties. She spent most of her time in the prop shop working with soft goods – having created bags, draperies, puppets, and other props for theatrical productions!

While at work she loves constructing Guardian Angel Ornaments and designing the company’s signature Getting Ready Robe. Her creativity is evident in how she spends her free time outside of work – often watercolor painting or writing!

Rebekah studied Theatre Costume Design and Construction at Baldwin-Wallace University in Ohio – honing valuable skills like draping, pattern drafting, corset work and complex garment construction. With experience working directly in bridal, she most recently managed the Costume Shop at East Carolina University.

Rebekah’s talent for managing and coaching our team of seamstresses is thanks to mentorship by women like Charlotte Yetmen, her college advisor and costume mentor. “She has spent her life perfecting her craft, and her main goal is for every student she teaches to be their very best,” she said.

While Rebekah’s favorite design is our Angel Tree Topper, she is responsible for making sure each customer’s dress move through our wedding dress redesign process with the white-glove treatment it deserves!

Courtney’s appreciation for the past has been a theme of her career, as she studied Anthropology at UNC Chapel Hill. Today, she is the team’s point person for making sure each client is comfortable and excited about their wedding dress redesign.

With a background in specialty retail management, Courtney loves “helping women feel empowered and confident!” Hailing from High Point, NC she enjoys cooking and coming up with her own recipes in her free time.

Courtney is inspired by her maternal grandmother who helped her develop an appreciation of little details from a young age – a skill she naturally brings to her role as she walks our clients through their design consultations!

Mary Hannah Haley’s unique background in art, teaching and customer service makes her a perfect addition to the Unbox client care team! With a degree in Studio Art from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, she’s able to visualize the possibilities for redesign when looking at a client’s wedding dress. Her favorite product is the Kathleen Floor Length Robe which she says, “radiates elegance!”

She lives in Stokesdale, NC and considers herself a “major bookworm” who can also be found painting or drawing. Her biggest inspiration is her mother, who has supported Mary Hannah on her journey through life with empathy and compassion.

Kellie Doran, hailing from Pfafftown, North Carolina, is the most recent addition to the team! A graduate of Appalachian State, Kellie studied Art and Visual Culture with a concentration in Art History. This appreciation for all things beautiful makes her the perfect person to work with the many one-of-a-kind dresses that enter the Unbox the Dress HQ.

Her responsibilities include photography and packaging, but she’s also the go-to expert for the company’s Save the Dress services.

Kellie loves the mountains of North Carolina, and in her free time she can often be found going on hikes or walks with her pup! She thanks her mother and college advisor Heather Waldroup for providing support and encouragement on her career journey so far.