Paula Varsalona, internationally recognized as one of the principal couture designers of bridal apparel, has been a leader in the fashion industry for over 50 years. As the designer and manufacturer of the Paula Varsalona Group, Varsalona offers unique and personalized fashion statements for brides and mothers. She is an adjunct professor at FIT, where she teaches bridal and cocktail apparel.
After earning her BFA from Washington University in St. Louis, it didn't take long for Varsalona to recognize her calling, and, in 1975, she founded Paula Varsalona Ltd. Since then the acclaim and success of her New York City-based label has flourished. Over 70,000 brides have donned Varsalona gowns for their weddings, and the designs have made countless appearances in the media, including Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, USA Today, Entertainment Tonight, NBC's The Apprentice, and Lifetime's 24 Hour Catwalk. In addition to being named one of the country's top ten bridal designers by New York magazine, Varsalona's gowns have also graced the red carpet.
Varsalona is a charter member and currently on the board of the IBMA (International Bridal Manufacturers Association) as well as a former member of the BBA (Bridal and Bridesmaids Association). In 1991, she received a Distinctive Excellence in the Bridal Industry Award (DEBI) from Modern Bride magazine.
