Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Valerie Barney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Valerie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
There’s so much room for individuality in the world. While there will always be people who may not like me or my designs—or even notice them—there will always be others who admire me for simply being myself. For me, being effective and successful comes down to staying confident in my own skin and tapping into who I was created to be. Blending in with the crowd isn’t effective, it’s the leader who stands out! I’ve learned that embracing discomfort is where growth and power truly lie. In those moments of being the only one in the room, I’ve learned to lean into that discomfort, trust my unique perspective, and find ways to connect with others. That’s where you discover your people.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I grew up watching my single mom sew, creating beautiful things from practically nothing. She taught me the value of creativity, resourcefulness, and perseverance—lessons that have shaped my life and career. I learned early on how much love and care go into something handmade, and that foundation inspired me to follow my passion for design.
Today, I’m the owner and designer of Vacanne Bridal, a luxury bridal line that embodies romance, sophistication, whimsy, and timeless elegance. My focus is on creating pieces that make women feel magical and their most confident on one of the most special days of their lives.
At Vacanne Bridal, we offer a range of services designed to make every bride’s experience both dreamy and seamless. Our collection features both custom gowns and off-the-rack creations, each made-to-measure to ensure a flawless fit. Every design reflects our brand incorporating romance, sophistication, whimsy and timeless silhouettes, tailored to celebrate and enhance the bride’s unique style and body.
Beyond gowns, we provide styling packages that include bridal styling, wedding-party styling, and even wedding planning services. We specialize in sourcing details from accessories to venues to ensure the dream in your head is executed and comes to life just as you imagined. Every detail at Vacanne Bridal is approached with care to give our brides a truly unforgettable experience from start to finish.
While we are still in the early stages of building Vacanne Bridal and our website, the craftsmanship, experience, and passion we bring to each piece more than make up for what is still in progress. Every step we take is with sincere dedication to making our brides feel their very best, and we are excited to grow alongside the women who trust us with their most cherished moments.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
This is such a great question! Sometimes we get so into survival mode we forget the skills, qualities and knowledge we are attaining a long the way!
1)Creativity. Learning not just to be creative in my skill set, but to think creatively has been vital for me. I’ve had to tap into my creativity not only for my designs but also in overcoming financial struggles, pulling myself out of depression, and finding the strength to leave relationships that were leading me away from my purpose.
2)Resilience. Learning to be truly resilient has been essential for me. Life happens, and I’ve experienced both wins and losses in life, love, and business. I’ve had to prepare myself for being knocked down and thrown around, but what’s kept me going is knowing that nothing lasts forever. When things are bad, I hold on to the belief that the good times and highs are just around the corner!
3)Above all, perseverance. I’ve learned that I will make it simply by not giving up. It may sound cliché, but the difference between successful people and those who aren’t is that the successful ones never gave up, no matter how tough things got. Getting up and trying again will always make you a winner!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Oh my gosh, yes! I absolutely love community and collaborating with fellow wedding, beauty, fashion, and bridal industry professionals. I’m especially excited to partner with florists, wedding planners, photographers, bridal shops, and any other creatives who are passionate about making magic together! Styled shoots and curated events are my favorite ways to connect and build lasting relationships for future clients. The bridal industry may be small, but it’s so important that we work together to elevate each other.
If you’re interested in collaborating or think we could create something stunning together, I’d love to connect! Please reach out via email or social media.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: vacanne.bridal
Image Credits
Nathan and Katelyn Landingin, Armando Silva, Yvonne DeCarlo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
