Photograph courtesy of Zelie Hughes
Co-founded in 2024 by Zelie Hughes and Amelia Stagg, the partners came together out of necessity when Hughes was designing custom gowns for a client, and Stagg jumped in to help. Through the process, they found that they worked excellently together – able to collaborate in a way that only improved their work, pushing each other forward in a way that was new and exciting for both of them.
Hughes, a Houston native and debutant herself, is deeply informed by the prominence of lavish bridal and debutant culture. Gifted with an eye for style and elegance, Hughes’ designs are works of art that both express her personal story and create an incredible narrative to tell the story of the collection. Previously in her career she designed beaded embroidery and did handwork for couture gowns – certifying her an expert in quality.
With a history of working in all areas of a brand, Stagg was able to provide a much-needed perspective on production, brand development, and building relationships, which allowed the partners to develop a team of collaborators that they trusted to produce the highest quality garments they could – both in craftsmanship and fit.
Both Hughes and Stagg wanted to create space for innovative Bridal and Special occasion wear that allowed for Hughes to experiment with new techniques of embroidery, beading, and finishing. Our goal is to bring something fresh to the very traditional world of special occasion gowns. From this sentiment, Sibley was born.
Together, Stagg and Hughes connect their visions of what Sibley needs in order to represent the woman we want to be. She is gracious, elegant and poised, yet always able to bring forth a laugh from her family. She is someone who transcends age or class and sees style simply for what it is: quality, creativity and innovation. She appreciates the worth of a garment that is one of a kind – both in its innate quality and what it means for our planet.