Bergman loves every bit of it. “To wake up every day, feel inspired, and bring something to life is truly rewarding,” she says.
The company was founded in 1978 by Deborah Nelson, a designer, speaker, and writer whose costumes are part of the Minnesota Historical Society’s permanent collection. Bergman, who initially studied Art, Design & Advertising before pursuing her passion for fashion design, joined Nelson in 2017. Recognizing Bergman’s talent, Nelson sent her to New York City to learn CAD patternmaking software. Nelson retired in 2020, and with her blessing Mercedes took over as the new owner of Satin Stitches.
A Perfect Fit: Artistry Meets Function
At Satin Stitches, Bergman found an ideal outlet for her skills. “The technical and mathematical side of the art are very appealing to me,” she explains. “I love problem-solving and finding ways to make something both aesthetic and functional. This truly fits my skill set.”
Satin Stitches offers three levels of costume design. Pre-designed web styles allow clients to combine various fabric options for different looks. The recently introduced semi-custom lines offer “several different elements of pre-designed bases that we can mix and match,” Bergman says. “You could take one skirt and combine it with another bodice, then choose a sleeve and neckline for a unique look.” Both pre-designed and semi-custom options are more budget-friendly due to less development time.
However, many customers choose Satin Stitches for fully custom designs, allowing for the fullest creativity and true collaboration between designer and show choir director. The process typically begins with a show choir director describing their vision, sharing inspirational images, and providing budget and quantity requirements.
“The process goes really well if they come with a strong design idea as a jumping-off point,” Bergman notes. “One of my favorite design inspirations is transforming a runway look a show choir director loves into something appropriate for the show choir world.”
She adds: “It’s also nice if they allow us the creative freedom to present some options that fit the tone they’re looking for, but perhaps take it in a slightly different direction.”
From there, designers present a variety of options, collaborating back and forth with the choir director until a prototype is approved.
Prioritizing Performance
Beyond great styling, Bergman emphasizes the company’s commitment to functionality, quality, and comfort in every costume. For show choir directors, choreographers, and performers, functionality is paramount, so costumes can accommodate every choreographed movement.
With extensive experience in costumes for skate and dance teams, Bergman understands how to achieve this. “We encourage people to use stretch fabrics whenever possible, even if it’s only a side panel,” she says, adding that today’s stretch fabrics can be “incredibly lux.”
“One thing we’ve been doing a lot lately is creating beautiful custom printed mesh,” she explains, referring to the process of dye sublimation. The poly/spandex powermesh is lightweight, floaty and sheer, giving the effect of a chiffon fabric. “The design is especially stunning with watercolor inspired artwork, giving each costume a hand-painted look.”
Another element of functionality and comfort comes from the company’s detailed size offerings. They provide XS through 6X, plus various options to accommodate diverse body types: short, regular, or long in torso, arm, and leg length; and for women’s dresses, different cup sizes for proper bust fitting. “This helps to minimize or eliminate the need for multiple alterations at the end stage,” Bergman says.
Bergman also highlights that the quality and craftsmanship of their costumes extend beyond a single performance. They are built to last. For dance and cheer teams, this means costumes can be used year after year. In the case of show choirs, many sell the costumes when the season is over.
“It’s definitely an investment, so we create costumes to last rather than making cheap costumes that end up in a landfill,” she says. “We love that these can be used for years.”
Theatrical Transformations
While classic sparkling dresses remain popular, Bergman notes a trend in show choir toward theme costumes. “Creating theme costumes is one of my favorite things to do,” she says. “I love the challenge of creating something unique and new, or figuring out how to do a transforming costume.” Transforming costumes often involve hidden skirts that dramatically drop when a snap is released. The company recently created “Wizard of Oz” costumes where Dorothy’s initial gray, splotchy velvet halter top and shorts transformed into a Dorothy dress. Another group began in all-white costumes before revealing dresses in an explosion of different colors.
Overseeing a small team, Bergman says the company thrives on repeat customers and word-of-mouth publicity. Instagram and TikTok have also become crucial marketing tools, reaching new customers with videos and images that showcase new designs and developments. It’s another way of inspiring customers, and their excitement, in turn, inspires Bergman and her team. “It’s always a lot of fun,” she says.
