At the end of 2008, Melissa Sweet left the Priscilla of Boston family to pursue personal interests. Assuming the helm of the Melissa Sweet collection are long time assistants to Sweet,  Antonio Gual and Lia Mcnairy.

Gual and Mcnairy have been integral contributors to the growth of the collection since its acquisition by the Priscilla of Boston bridal group which includes Melissa Sweet and Melissa Sweet Reverie.  

Antonio Gual - Melissa Sweet Designer
As a fashion-industry veteran, Antonio Gual has been behind the cutter's table and sewing machine since childhood. When Antonio left Havana, Cuba for New York City as a child, through his family he found himself at the doorstep of a large garment factory where Antonio spent afternoons creating his own designs with the extra fabric. Antonio's inspiration to perfect the craft of fashion design continued to blossom as he discovered the wealth of style inhabiting the stores along glamorous Madison Avenue.

Soon he found himself at the famed Fashion Institute of Technology and the French Fashion Academy, from where he graduated in 1979.  

As a fashion-industry veteran, Antonio Gual has been behind the cutter's table and sewing machine since childhood. When Antonio left Havana, Cuba for New York City as a child, through his family he found himself at the doorstep of a large garment factory where Antonio spent afternoons creating his own designs with the extra fabric. Antonio's inspiration to perfect the craft of fashion design continued to blossom as he discovered the wealth of style inhabiting the stores along glamorous Madison Avenue.

Soon he found himself at the famed Fashion Institute of Technology and the French Fashion Academy, from where he graduated in 1979.  Antonio went on to open his own boutique on Spring Street in Soho where he sold his collection of eponymous dresses that eventually were picked up by Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys. After 12 years, Antonio felt the need to explore the luxury European market so he moved to Milan and eventually Paris, where he became accredited by the French Federation of Couture and Ready to Wear that allowed him to work in the Couture sector. This experience led him back to New York where he opened high-end ready-to-wear business that claimed Nicole Kidman, Cindy Crawford, Paulina Porizkova and others as fans.

Lia Mcnairy - Melissa Sweet Designer
Born in New York, Lia Mcnairy acquired her taste for elegance in fashion and life while growing up in Brussels at the American Embassy in the late 70's and later in St. Remy de Provence in the South of France. As a child Lia would sit at the top of the staircase at the embassy watching the parade of beautiful evening gowns at all the black tie balls, dreaming of one day becoming a designer of all that is beautiful and luxurious.

Upon her return to New York Lia refined her innate love for fashion while attending the Fashion Institute of Technology. Following her education, she immediately landed a job with Calvin Klein collection, further enhancing her talent and simple graceful sense of style by working closely with the design team.   

After several years at Calvin Klein, Lia worked as Cynthia Rowley's head designer, essentially serving as Cynthia's right hand for six years.

Additionally, Lia has worked as a freelance stylist working with celebrities and magazines thus rounding out her education and perspective on the fashion industry.

Mcnairy met Melissa Sweet while shopping for her own custom designed gown in 2003. Lia is now pleased to bring her talent and passion for all things simple and elegant to Melissa Sweet as co-designer for both the Melissa Sweet collection and Reverie by Melissa Sweet. 

More Wedding Dresses
More Bridesmaid Dresses
More Wedding Shoes
Weddings by TheRingBearer.ca