http://www.tedxfidiwomen.com
Melissa Sweet In 2010, Melissa Sweet embarked on a journey that would forever change her and her perspective on designing bridal gowns. After rising to the top of a legendary wedding design house, Melissa took a sabbatical to start a family with her husband Kevin in Costa Rica. There, Melissa spent time connecting with a more sacred life: nurturing herself and her new family, becoming more in tune with her natural surroundings, and finding inspiration through giving back to her community.

She began helping families in her home valley to lead healthier lives, teaching fashion classes to those who wanted to learn from her stateside experience and reconnecting with designing--the art she treasures most. In the Spring of 2012, she launched the 501c3 non-for-profit foundation, Vida Auténtica to help nourish families and foster economic prosperity throughout the developing world by teaching the earth-honoring practices of food sovereignty, building greenhouses, banking seeds and funding educational programs in growing communities.

And yet, her endless devotion to design--and to the brides she loves--has never diminished. In the Fall of 2012, Melissa Sweet reemerged onto the bridal scene with a collaborative collection with David's Bridal, Melissa Sweet for David's Bridal, as well as new bespoke collection, Melissa Sweet Sacred, to benefit Vida Autentica.

Prior to launching Melissa Sweet Sacred, Melissa grew her bridal design house, Melissa Sweet Bridal, from a boutique label to a nationally-revered brand. In 2005, Priscilla of Boston purchased Melissa Sweet Bridal, and she became the company's Creative Director, overseeing the design development of the Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston and Reverie labels. She studied at Parsons School of Design in New York and graduated from Bauder Fashion College. She currently resides in Costa Rica with her husband Kevin and two sons, Ishmael and Samuel Lion.

http://www.tedxfidiwomen.com
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