Conversations with Cassidy Burel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassidy Burel

Hi Cassidy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Cassidy Burel is a Custom Apparel Designer and the founder and owner of CassB by Design. CassB Studio specializes in bridal and evening wear, wherein Cassidy, as the head designer, inspires each design to instill confidence in the wearer and bring out the beauty and uniqueness of each of her clients. Her studio is located in Kernersville, North Carolina. In this dynamic creative space she brings the dreams of each of her brides to life in the form of a stunning gown that is a reflection of their best selves.

A fashion designer, entrepreneur, and social media influencer, Cassidy graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, UNCG with a BS in Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies, CARS. Her concentration was in Apparel Design. During her time at the university, she received numerous scholarship awards which included the Joan W. Greason Scholarship, the Betsey Ryder Shelley Scholarship, and many others. These scholarships signified an investment and recognition of her talent, and further contributed to her financial goal of graduating from design school completely debt free. During her undergraduate program, she held both presidential and leadership positions in Threads, the student lead apparel design organization on campus. In addition, she was a leader in the National Millennial Community as a representative through collaboration at national conferences, and was further recognized and awarded as a UNCG Spartan of Promise and Excellence in Leadership Award.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
She graduated from CARS in May of 2020 at the peak of the COVID19 crisis. This prompted many challenges and caused a pivot in career planning for Cassidy from her original short and long term goals. Her goals as an entrepreneur and private business owner were fast-tracked by necessity leading to her own fashion brand. CassB was officially established in 2022 and her design work has been highlighted in over 15 publications including The O’Henry, The Greensboro News and Record, and The NewlyWed Magazine, in addition to her own brand-published magazine, The Modern Bride by CassB. She is a valuable couture fashion presence in theTriad and seeks to further put North Carolina on the map as an up-and-coming fashion center in the years to come.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
From 2016-2020 I attended design school at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) which was a concentrated four years of learning not only how to sew and construct garments but was also a time getting to experience and hone in on what type of apparel designer I wanted to be. Early on in my design career as a student, I enjoyed suiting and men’s wear. After designing in multiple fashion shows and beginning to offer custom garments to clients, I discovered that my true passion in design was dressmaking. As soon as I heard the “oohs and awes” when fabulously large gowns I had made stepped onto the runway, I knew that the “wow factor” is what I wanted to be known for. I wanted to create looks that made all who wore them feel like the best version of themselves and that is one of the key factors in play today as I design for my beautiful clients.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
As a design student, your dream is to move to New York to design either for yourself or a larger company. Which in and of itself is a risk making the jump from a small pond to an ocean of designers all wanting the same thing. This was my dream as a college student but when the pandemic struck right as I graduated from design school, my career plans shifted, and I was presented with an even bigger risk. In May of 2020 I still wanted more experience before jumping into business on my own. I worked for the next two years apprenticing with pattern-makers and seamstresses until In 2022, I stepped down from my position, and took the risk of launching my business.

Taking risks are crucial for growth and development as an individual and a professional. But I would suggest to take calculated risks. Take these risks at a time when you have weighed the likely outcomes and if it is a high likelihood of success, it’s an easier step to take towards success.

Pricing:

• Custom Bridal/Special Occasion: $3,000-$10,000
• Vintage Gown revamps: $775-$2,500
• Bridal Alterations: $350-$1,250

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cassbstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassbbydesign/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083299962883
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-burel-510419211/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cassbbydesign

Image Credits
Headshot/sewing shot: Hannah Booth @hboothphotovideo
Green Dress: Maria Natey @marianateyphoto
Pink Dress: Liana @liaroseweddings
Purple Dress: Ellie McKinney @elliemckinneyphotography
Tropical flowers and white dress: Raquel Baxley @raquelbaxleyphoto
Pink cape/red dress: Catherine Band @catherinemband