If you don’t already know the darling Miss Hayley Paige, please allow me to introduce you to this beloved bridal fashion designer who creates such ethereal confections that it’s as if the dresses are yoked to spiritual, magical kingdoms ~ floating in from the sparkly stars above to couple with Hayley’s fairy realm (like a true fairy, she loves all things shiny, glittery ✨) so the designs ignite your fantasy; your dreams...

Hayley’s secret to the art of the wedding dress is love. She loves her craft, her super loyal customers/tribe/friends, and life. Hayley’s irrepressible charm earned her a star of her own on the popular TV series, Say Yes to the Dress, and to being named to Vogue’s Top 10 Bridal Designers.

Her joy and talent led her to design gowns for yet another kind of star ~ celebrities such as Carrie Underwood, Amy Schumer, Dove Cameron, Kelsea Ballerini, Aly Raisman, Sabrina Bryan, along with the legions of fans that Hayley makes feel like they are stepping into their own fairytale.

Alas, Hayley’s storybook livelihood came to what looked like The End in 2020.

A highly publicized legal battle put a pause in her creative journey. She was litigating a non-compete accusation and was unable to earn a living for too many years. Which, for an admitidly proud workaholic must've been torture. As a fellow member of the workaholic tribe, I can feel the pain… When you love what you do, there’s nothing like committing to your passion.

Hayley and I talk about this on my Ladies Who Lunch Conversations show…

But in true Hayley style, she turned the “Paige” ~ er, the page!

In a dramatic, happily-ever-after epilogue, this plucky and courageous woman overcame a career-threatening lawsuit when her employer hit her with an unexpected 100-page lawsuit that according to The New York Times: …”claimed trademark infringement, violation of the noncompete agreement, and the promoting of other companies without the brand’s permission. It even claimed they owned my name,” Ms. Paige said.

I read that story and was equally inspired and determined to spotlight Hayley's story on my Ladies Who Lunch Conversations monthly show.

Hers is a journey you won't forget.

You can listen and watch on my Ladies Who Lunch Conversations Facebook “paige!”😉 (I get so tickled with these play on words, don’t you?). You can also view our Conversation on my YouTube channel.

Afterwards, we shared a mutual appreciation that it was so easy to talk to one another ~ and so much fun.

As an homage to Hayley, I not only created a wedding-theme tablescape,

But I also wore my wedding dress!

Like many brides of my era, the gown was sealed and just “doing time” in the attic in that box. So I figured there was no better time to set it free and have some giggles than wearing it for the Conversation.

The stage was set: Bubbly champagne, gowns, romance, and a fabulous, inspiring conversation…

Get ready to be motivated, enchanted, and inspired by her perseverance, joy, and magical talent!

Hayley is truly a magnet for miracles.

And the star of her own fairytale.

We can all learn from this woman who is a sparkly icon for beauty ~ and inspiration.

She had me with her insouciant, inspiring quote: “When one door closes...KICK DOWN ANOTHER ONE (in sparkly shoes).”

This year, after a four-year legal battle, she announced the settlement of her litigation and acquisition of her intellectual property. She now owns all rights to her name, (woohoo), social media accounts, and intellectual property under the Hayley Paige brand.

With a true sense of righteousness and fair play where the good gals win, we can all feel the victory of Hayley now owning her art ~ and her name.

As part of that exultant victory, she was also asked to testify before the Senate’s Committee on Banking Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Policy for their hearing on “Banning Noncompete Agreements: Benefits for Workers, Businesses, and the Economy.”

I am rather tickled that Senator Elizabeth Warren and moi have something in common. What’s that you say?

In our Conversation, I asked Hayley how that noble invitation came about and she explained that Senator Warren DM’d her Instagram account ~ like I did!

See, there’s a lot to be said for A) someone who manages all their own social media; and B) responds straight-away.

No layers of “people” or missed opportunities.

Another Hayley lesson learned.

As Senator Warren wrote on her Facebook page:

If you do one thing today, watch this powerfully important Senate testimony from renowned wedding dress designer Hayley Paige on the harms of noncompetes and how the FTC has empowered millions by banning them.

Hayley told us that she was so nervous while telling her story, yet as you watch her inspiring testimony, you will only see the very poised Hayley.

I remarked how beauty is power and Hayley uses hers in a most impactful and constructive way…

Today, Hayley has successfully reentered the luxury bridal couture industry.

Hayley is debuting her brand’s new/brand-new Hayley Paige Collection with a runway debut show, July 27th at the Palm Beach Colony Hotel. Follow the link to RSVP.

Woohoo! What a triumph!

Hayley Paige Spring 2026 Collection Debut

"Twice Upon A Time"

The Colony Hotel

Palm Beach, Florida

Sunday, July 27, 2025

Hayley Paige is officially back and better than ever!

Hayley is a gem of a personality. She is a glass of bubbly champagne while boasting nerves of resolute granite.

I experienced nothing but kindness, joy, sincerity, professionalism, and that glittery joie de vivre, from the moment I reached out to her after reading her story in The Times.

This hard-driving, plucky Chief Inspiration Officer of Hayley Paige Bridal was/is known for her romantic, whimsical and fashion-forward designs that feature bold use of color, celestial embellishments, layered tulle skirts and playful, yet elegant silhouettes.

Hayley Paige became a household name in the bridal world and, as noted, went on to be named one of the world’s top-ten luxury bridal fashion designers.

Yet her talent couldn’t be contained (even by one onerous lawsuit.)

In 2017, she entered the tech space by developing and launching a wedding focused emoji app, Holy Matrimoji, that landed in the AppStore’s top 100 downloads on its debut.

In 2018, she helped secure a licensing deal with “Hearts on Fire” diamonds becoming their brand ambassador.

As has been described, “when in December of 2020, she unexpectedly found herself in the struggles of that lawsuit where she was unable to use her birth name in any business or commerce, lost control of her social media accounts, and was restricted from practicing her trade under a noncompete, she decided on a reinvention ~ creating her own path forward.

She started identifying under the new name, CHEVAL, that she notes was launched out of a “chaos, creativity, and comradery.”

Cheval is “horse” in French (she references “horse with no name” as a nod to her ‘losing’ her birth name during the litigation. What a cheeky sense of humor!)

She debuted a women’s specialty shoe brand under SHE IS CHEVAL; and then, launched a nonprofit called A GIRL YOU MIGHT KNOW to provide legal resources and advocacy for young artists in the formative years of their career.

Whew!

Hayley may truly be a fairy but I think you’ll agree that, as that old saying goes, she let no moss gather under her feet ~ especially since she was designing those glamorous, glittery shoes!

Previously, Hayley shared some insights about her brand extensions:

“The new launch will be a signature to the DNA of Hayley Paige — splashes of color, textural juxtapositions, novelty beadwork, and thoughtful detail in the embroidery. I plan to have rompers and mini versions of the dresses. Maybe it’s an engagement outfit or something that you can wear as a second dress or a second look for a bachelorette party.

Now that I’ve gone outside of the bridal space, and done shoes, I have more of a returning customer, not just a bride, so I’ll be doing events that are more of a sisterhood.”

I, for one, can’t wait to order Hayley’s Alohomora shoe designs. I adore toile!

Hayley says that “Inspiration comes from the nuances of design in this collective collection, so not everything has to go together.

“I’m inspired by the print design I did for Cheval. I created a French toile pattern that told the story of my creative journey, but in scenes. I want to continue with that, which I’ll incorporate into fabrics and into the actual material of the dresses to help tell the story, which has changed over the past four years. I’m planning to rebrand Cheval. I want there to be synergy between the two brands, so we’ll be releasing bridal-specific shoes that go with the new Hayley Paige dresses and handbags.”

When I asked Hayley who her inspiration is, she readily responded that it was her parents’ hard work ethic, along with her grandmother’s influence that helped shape her desire for creating wedding fashions. Her grandmother taught her to sew when she was around six years of age. The two of them would also knit and make blankets for the children’s hospital.

Not surprisingly, this influenced her college career ~ she graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science as a fiber science and apparel design major.

I was delightfully struck to learn that Hayley graduated from Cornell ~ my beloved father George’s alma mater. You’ll see my look of sheer surprise. And together, we cheer “Big Red” in our Conversation!)

Prior to Hayley, I didn’t know of this course of study at Cornell ~ even though I studied fashion design (in Switzerland).

Cornell’s Department of Textiles and Apparel was renamed the Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design; fiber science was officially started in 2006. Upon a quick search, I learned that Fiber Science “explores the physical, chemical, and engineering properties of fibrous materials and their applications.”

Oh, if Cornell offered this back when I was in college, I might’ve followed in my dear father’s footsteps to Ithaca and perhaps a dream of his that one of his children would attend Cornell, too. (Growing up we did visit there frequently and for many years he volunteered to do first-round candidate interviews for would-be student applicants. That’s how much he loved the school.)

Back to Hayley.

“I was a true child of the 90’s,” Hayley explains. I loved Disney princesses, loved romance and the pomp surrounding weddings. She was also a very disciplined gymnast; a protocol has served her well in her career.

In our Conversation, you’ll learn about Hayley’s post-Cornell graduation career climb, her design experience in New York City, her bridal design study in France.

“During a runway show at the Cornell, Paige debuted a 10-piece bridal collection and caught the eye of fashion designer Jill Stuart who hired Paige on the spot—that’s when the wedding star was born. She soon established herself as an integral designer for the Melissa Sweet Bridal and Bridesmaid Collections. Paige would go on to become the primary designer to help launch the first Marchesa Eterna bridal collection at the Priscilla of Boston.

I truly admire and love this woman 🥰 ~ and her cute pooch Winnie! I’m honored Hayley carved out time for us while working like mad for her brand runway re-debut.

Hayley’s effervescence and inspiration is contagious. I surely respect her happy “workaholic” approach to her career and the joy it brings to her loyal customers.

I wish she could bottle that…

At the same time, we can get our Hayley booster by following her on social media.

She told us during the Conversation that she prefers to do all her own social media outreach. That authenticity and sincerity and glamour shines through like a beacon. And not to put too fine a point on it, but Hayley herself is admired as a beacon ~ for her guidance and inspiration.

A few pearls of wisdom from Hayley she shared with us is to be “fear-less” ~ It gives us strength.

And to not only be kind to others when things are rough and you’re “needy,” but also when things are going great.

Hayley personifies the proverb: "Be nice to people on your way up because you'll meet them on your way down" ~ a proverb emphasizing the importance of kindness and respect.

I so enjoy following her, her designs, and her inspiring journey. And you will too.

I can’t wait to render her favorite cocktail into the Ladies Who Lunch Conversations beverage napkin (monies go to the Ladies’ charity of choice.). It’ll be so fun to paint her Skinny Spicy Margarita *UP* with Tajin on the Rim!

Thank you so very much Hayley.

I salute you, your talent, your courage, and your inspiring journey.

Cheers to you, Winnie, your upcoming nuptials, and your continued success.

Hayley Paige Said Yes to the (Bridal) Dress ~ Reclaiming Her Name & Brand and Banning Non-Compete Clauses

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Hayley Paige Said Yes to the (Bridal) Dress ~ Reclaiming Her Name & Brand and Banning Non-Compete Clauses

The Frick Museum’s New Westmoreland Café Amplifies Stunning Renovation

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