We recently had the chance to connect with Hayley Paige and have shared our conversation below.
Hayley, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Standing up for my own name cost me my career — at least for a while. Back in 2020, I was sued in federal court by a former employer. I lost the right to design under the name I was born with—and for years, I couldn’t do what I loved most: create wedding dresses. But that experience redefined my purpose.. It taught me that protecting your identity — your ideas, your voice, your art — is worth everything. It’s why I founded A Girl You Might Know Foundation: to help other creatives avoid that same kind of erasure and to make sure no one has to choose between their passion and their personhood. Our nonprofit focuses on protecting intellectual property, because it’s not just a creative issue—it’s an economic one. IP drives 41% of the U.S. GDP and supports more than 62 million American jobs.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Hayley Paige — a bridal designer, creative advocate, and founder of A Girl You Might Know Foundation. For over a decade, my work has lived at the intersection of artistry and empowerment — designing gowns that tell women’s stories while also fighting for the right to tell my own. After a long legal battle where I lost the rights to my name and creative freedom, I realized how many other creatives face similar vulnerabilities without resources or representation. That’s what inspired me to launch my nonprofit: to help women in the arts protect their intellectual property, build sustainable businesses, and transform creativity into ownership.
Today, I’m rebuilding my bridal brand under my own name, mentoring emerging designers/artists, and working to make “creative rights” a more mainstream conversation — because artistry isn’t just expression, it’s economy, legacy, and identity.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My first real moment of power came when I realized social media could be more than a highlight reel—it could be authorship. As my bridal designs began reaching brides around the world, I saw that platforms like Instagram allowed me to tell my story directly, without waiting for permission or approval. It gave me a voice in an industry that can sometimes speak for you instead of with you.
What started as a space to share sparkles and sketches became something much deeper — a way to connect, uplift, and create a community around creativity itself. Even later, when that very access to my voice was taken from me, I understood its power more than ever. Owning your narrative — especially online — is about freedom of expression.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For a long time, my biggest fear was that the world didn’t need another version of something that already existed — that because someone else was already doing it, there wasn’t space for me. Especially in creative industries, it’s easy to feel like the market is saturated or that your voice will get lost in the noise. But what I’ve learned is that originality isn’t about being the first; it’s about being authentic.
Competition isn’t the enemy — it’s a catalyst. It sharpens our skills, raises the bar, and pushes the entire craft forward. The more we each bring our unique perspective to the table, the richer and more dynamic every industry becomes. Once I stopped fearing duplication and started embracing contribution, everything changed.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m deeply committed to building A Girl You Might Know Foundation into a lasting resource for creative equity — no matter how long it takes. We’re raising funds to provide legal support, business mentorship, and leadership training for women in the arts, because protecting your creativity shouldn’t depend on your bank account.
At its core, the mission is about more than grants or guidance; it’s about helping to shape an equitable economic infrastructure — one where every creator has the tools, education, and protection to fully participate in our nation’s creative future. Change like that doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s worth every ounce of time and effort. Because when creators are protected, culture thrives. This isn’t a sprint; it’s scaffolding for the next generation of creators. I am thrilled to share that our first big fundraising is happening in February of 2026 in Washington, D.C.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
There was a point in my life when I quite literally lost my name, my ability to work in my chosen field, and nearly everything I had built. I even began selling my own possessions just to keep up with legal bills. It was a moment of total unraveling — but also complete clarity.
When everything external was stripped away, what remained was what mattered most: my health, my relationships, my story, my creativity, and my faith. Those are the things no one can take from you. They became my saviors — proof that identity isn’t defined by ownership, titles, or accolades, but by what you create, nurture, and give back when you have nothing left to prove. At least for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://agirlyoumightknowfoundation.org
- Instagram: @agirlyoumightknowfoundation
- Other: Other website: hayleypaige.com and sheischeval.com , other Instagrams @allthatglittersonthegram @sheischeval @hayleypaigebride @misshayleypaige
Image Credits
@kaitlynblakephotography
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