Our Story | Our Clients | Our Selection | Our Location

I founded McCall Wilder Designs after trying unsuccessfully to find an outfit for my first baby's christening. We were hoping our four-month-old son could wear my grandfather's fragile 100-year-old gown. However, it was much too small like many heirloom gowns and we had to "make do" with it on his special day. Though the gown was exquisite, it had not been properly cared for and was sized for a newborn. Like my family, many mothers and fathers in our generation are now baptizing their babies later in the first year of life and need gowns larger and more durable than those that have been handed down for generations. Some families are also waiting until well into the toddler years to schedule their baptisms and need special outfits that their little ones can also walk in!

Growing up in Athens, Georgia, I had two dreams: to be a fashion designer and a writer. I attended Hollins College in Roanoke, Va., and during my freshman year decided to pursue my love of journalism. I transferred to the University of Georgia and graduated with an ABJ in Broadcast News from the Grady College of Journalism. During that time, I was also fortunate to do an internship on CNN's Prime News. After college, I worked in media and crisis communications and then went back to CNN to be a part of the 1995 launch team for CNN.com, the Internet's first new site. I remained there as a writer and producer until late 1999. After leaving the workforce and having my first child, I realized numerous moms were like me: trying without luck to find something their children would fit into that was also simple, elegant and heirloom quality. After hearing a multitude of similar stories, I returned to two of my lifelong passions -- designing and embroidering -- and formed McCall Wilder Designs. My Baby McCall line of heirloom gowns and special occasion outfits launched in February 2001. Until the spring of 2008, we only took orders by appointment even though we continued to expand our size offerings, our own pattern line and our selection of items for birthdays, school and beach pictures, Easter egg hunts, the 4th of July, and more.

In May 2008, we opened our first Boutique & Atelier in the heart of Atlanta to meet the needs of those who wanted to run in and select beautiful dresses and outfits already made, as well as those who wanted more in-depth custom items. The Baby McCall and McCall Wilder Designs lines now encompass more than 50 different styles, including crib bedding, ties and button-down shirts for boys, and wrap skirts for older girls. Scott (my college sweetheart), our little boy Brosnan, and our little girl Mary Scott, keep me on my toes and provide endless ideas and inspiration. My children help me with new designs and embroideries now that they are older. They are also an integral factor in updating and creating new patterns and styles, and adjusting the sizes as they grow and have different needs. I would never be able to do what I do and work with children across the country if it were not for having two of my own & and a boy and a girl & to understand how children grow and change year-to-year. What a blessing both for me and my business!