Today we’d like to introduce you to Mario Alberto Gallegos Jr.
Mario Alberto, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well, I’ll start from the beginning, In a galaxy far far away… just kidding! So it all started in summer of 2003 when I started to attend College. I wasn’t quite sure what all I was getting into, I knew I loved making things, fashion shows and beautiful garments. After all my mother was the owner of several Dallas Quinceañera bouquets. So I kinda grew up in it, In 2007 I started to participate in fashion shows around Dallas which eventually became fashion shows around the states. Showcasing in Washington, DC, New York, Charlotte, North Carolina and Dallas showing small capsule collections once a year.
In 2012 I was named one of Dallas’ up and coming fashion designers by D Magazine. That same year I met my life partner/ business partner, Michael Wysong Crigger, a UNT graduate. We both came from fashion design backgrounds and had accumulated a good amount of sewing equipment and dress forms. Our custom design was quite successful but we wanted to take it a bit further. So wanted to open our design studio to other designers that were in the same situation as we were in the beginning stages of our careers. Not only would this studio serve as a commune sewing center It would also aid and assist people interested in the craft.
We opened our doors in 2013 and since then, have opened Tissu, a small fabric specialty shop specializing in imported textiles from around the world geared toward fashion apparel. To this date, Petit Atelier has seen over hundreds of students of many backgrounds and ages who wish to ” wet their feet” in fashion and extend their knowledge.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Like any business finding the funds to support your passion is crucial. Neither of us had the funds or financial background to support it. With help from our parents and money, we had to save we made it happen. Also when you think of Deep Ellum you don’t think of “fashion atelier”. So the first year was hard to appeal to some of the Deep Ellum patriates and to those who felt that our studio had no place in the neighborhood. We didn’t come into change Deep Ellum but to infuse ourself to the uniqueness of the neighborhood. Although we still challenge, we strive to make the best of it and achieve our goals for our business.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Petit Atelier – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We offer sewing classes from beginners to advance, dropping to a bespoke tailor and so on. As a fashion incubator, we supply our students with dress forms from size two to size twenty in women. We also archive fashion related books, vintage garments, illustrations etc for research purposes.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We hope to branch out sometime near in the future.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2952 Comerce St Dallas, Texas 75226
- Website: www.petitatelierdallas.com
- Phone: (972)913-4766
- Email: info@petitatelierdallas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petitatelierdallas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petitatelierdallas/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PetitAtelierDTX
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/petit-atelier-dallas
Image Credit:
Jonah Gilmore
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