Hello! Thank you for visiting the Web site of McCall Wilder Designs, the creators of classic, custom-designed special occasion outfits for infants and children.
We design our entire line in our workroom and Atelier in the heart of Buckhead. Our garments are all sewn and embroidered about an hour outside of Atlanta by a dedicated team of talented seamstresses. We are extremely proud of the attention to detail, including the exquisite, sustainable fabrics and delicate hand embroideries, which are the centerpiece of our beautiful line of custom and ready-to-wear clothing. Most of our items feature beautiful, time-consuming hand work, including satin-stitching (which is also used for our gorgeous hand monograms), feather-stitching and bullion embroidery.
We work with clients across the country to design not only fun, casual pieces but also one-of-a-kind outfits for their little ones, and future generations. Our prices reflect the time and effort that go into each heirloom. We look forward to talking with you about your seasonal needs and special occasions!
Our Story | Our Clients | Our Selections| Our Location
Our Story
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 and husband of 15 years), 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!
Our Story | Our Clients | Our Selections | Our Location
Our Clients
Now that the company has grown into a booming business, we continue to expand to meet the needs of families for all their special occasions, not just baptisms. And with the opening of our Boutique & Atelier, we have already exceeded our expectations in helping new families in Atlanta, in Georgia and across the country.
Each year brings with it a greater desire to exceed our clients expectations, especially those whose babies are getting bigger every day. We provide our own ideas to help you coordinate the entire family (infants to size 12) and welcome your thoughts as well!
While most of our clients are scattered throughout the Southeast, we also have numerous clients across the country who enlist us to design one-of-a-kind outfits for their little ones. We help brides, moms, grandmoms, aunts and sometimes dads and grandfathers with special items for their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Our Story | Our Clients | Our Selections| Our Location
Our Selections
With the opening of our Boutique & Atelier, we now offer more than 50 types of dresses, outfits and gifts. Our ready-to-wear lines include everything from basic John-Johns and jumpers for girls and boys, to ties for boys and dads and sun hats for babies.
Below are the most common special occasion categories that we create designs for, as well as a price range for some types of garments. Of course, there are many other occasions not listed that we work on as well. All custom outfits will vary depending on the type of fabric and handwork agreed upon. The most intricate outfits require at least 8-12 weeks from the initial consultation for completion.
Christening and Baptismal outfits: Usually for children over the age of one. These are made from the same exquisite level of fabrics, and include one-piece ensembles and shorts sets for little boys and dresses (not gowns) for older little girls. These items vary in price based on the fabric and sizes selected.
First Communion: Beautiful selection of dresses appropriate for older girls, as well as ties for older boys.
Portraiture (Oil, Color and Black/White): A range of outfits for infants, boys and girls. From simple linen shifts to elaborate French lace dresses, one-on-one meetings are needed to create the perfect ensemble.
Wedding (Flower girl, Ring bearer outfits & Pillows): Designed by appointment to compliment the wedding party. The pillows may also be hand-embroidered with the couple s initials on the front and wedding date on the back. These are larger in size than most on the market so that they may be used after the wedding in the newlywed s home.
Beach Photography: Extensive selection of outfits and fabrics (including Swiss batistes, piques and Irish linens) that are perfect for outdoor settings.
Holiday (including Easter, Christmas, Mother's Day, etc...): A wide variety of classic styles for boys and girls, featuring beautiful hand-embroidered details.
Baby (Layette):
The custom collection includes hand-sewn coming-home-from-the-hospital blankets, dresses, saques and daygowns, as well as hand-embroidered crib bumpers, skirts and baby pillows.
The ready-to-wear collection includes hand-embroidered:
• Diaper sets
• Daygowns
• Sunsuits
• Receiving Blankets
• Bubbles
• Sun hats
Our Story | Our Clients | Our Selections| Our Location
Our Location
McCall Wilder Designs Boutique & Atelier is located at 110 East Andrews Drive, Suite 3 in Atlanta, Georgia. Our zip code is 30305 and we are in Cates Center in the courtyard next to Paces Papers. The shop's regular business hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Custom hours are by appointment only and may be made over the phone (404-841-9263) or by emailing at mccall@mccallwilder.com.
