I’ve always had a love for designing and sewing. I started sewing when I was 9 years old, and by high school I was designing and sewing homecoming and prom dresses for me and my friends. I am self-taught. I’ve had my own sewing business since 1997. I took a few years off to teach, then came back to my first love, sewing. I’ve made everything from custom wedding gowns, to dog pajamas, uniquely designed purses and to prayer pillows, and custom draperies to upholstery. I thought I had sewn it all until a few years ago when the Mystic Krewe of Olympia contacted me about making their costumes. Now I exclusively sew Mardi Gras costumes and I absolutely love it! The people I work with are so friendly and appreciative. I now make king, queen, maids, officers, parade riders, dance groups and many more types of custom designed costumes for the Mardi Gras season. This year I made costumes for 5 krewes, and have already started booking for 2025 with 7 krewes on the books so far.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We moved here from Beauregard parish in January of 2012. My husband is an automations and controls engineer with Shell Oil Company. We have two daughters who both graduated from Covington High School. Our oldest daughter, Cassidy, is a graduate of Tulane University where she is also employed by the School of Public Health. Our youngest daughter, Kendal, is a junior engineering student at LSU where she is also involved with Student Government. Kendal even helps with making Mardi Gras costumes during her time off from school.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I graduated from ULM in Family and Consumer BR B Science and worked as a 4-H Agent through LSU Ag Center for several years. I then tried something totally different and went to work with a computer company dealing with automobile dealerships in Houston and Chapel Hill, NC. I moved back home to Winnfield because my father was very ill, and I couldn’t find a job so I started sewing for friends and family. This eventually grew into a small store front sewing business in my hometown-but I sewed for people from Natchitoches to Natchez and Baton Rouge to Monroe-all from word of mouth. After getting married and having two children who were starting school, I decided to teach. This lasted about 5 years, then I decided to go back to sewing. My husband built me a shop behind our house where I taught sewing lessons, did custom sewing again, and created my own line of hand bags that I sold at market in Dallas. When we moved to Covington, I not only lost my hand bag helpers, but no one knew me as a go-to seamstress. It took several years of sewing for neighbors and friends before my name got out on the Northshore. After doing wedding gown and formal alterations and custom sewing for several years, I was contacted by the Mystic Krewe of Olympia to make their float rider costumes. Then the new ladies’ dance krewe, Nautical Gals, contacted me for designing and making their costume. Through Olympia, I came in contact with a costume designer in the Southshore who is trying to retire but can’t find new costumers for her krewes to go to. She and I have become very close friends and have been working closely together to transfer several of her krewes over to me. I work closely with many Krewe officers and have been delighted with how friendly everyone is. I have made so many good friends through these connections. I also love how creative I can be. Some krewes give me full creative control, and I love it! There’s no over doing it in Mardi Gras!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My husband and love to go sit at the bar and try new beers while enjoying the grilled menu at Chimes. A favorite lunch spot of mine is LOLA, and our relaxing dinner restaurant is Rips.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We have lived here 12 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Well, I love that I personally know Mayor Mark and his wife. I did alterations for them. I also love that I get to know the local Mardi Gras royalty before anyone else does-yes I am good at keeping secrets.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Any show about or with great fashion! I love Emily in Paris, Devil Wears Prada, and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Don’t give up on your dreams! I’ve been dreaming of being a successful, known designer since I was 9 years old. With being a Mardi Gras costume designer, I feel like I am finally where I’ve always wanted to be.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I love all the unique, locally owned restaurants. I believe the Northshore has the best food in the region. I also love bringing any visiting family and friends to all the farmers markets. Susa
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Suzanne Perron St Paul-she designs many Mardi Gras Queen gowns in New Orleans. We were on the State 4-H Fashion Board together back in high school and cll ok competed against each other in sewing contests. She’s so talented and got to go on to Fashion Design school and I didn’t. I would take her to eat at the English Tea Room. If it’s fitting for a Queen, then surely it will be perfect for designers of Queens.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that you can never be bored here. Between all the wonderful places to shop, fantastic eateries, festivals, bike trails, breweries, and farmers markets, there’s always something to do. If I have to pick one favorite thing, it would be the 3 Rivers Art Festival.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5 years I hope to have a shop -independent of my home, with several employees-not contract seamstresses, where we create Mardi Gras Masterpieces for lots of Krewes in the region. In 10 years I hope to have some grandbabies!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love to go fishing! I don’t get to do it anymore, but I grew up fishing every weekend. One of my first dates with my husband was fishing. He knew the way to my heart.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
That’s a difficult one, because everyone and everything always has room for improvement. But, I think the health care offered here on the Northshore is as close as you can get, and it’s growing more everyday.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family! I want to make them proud.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Love, Belonging
