Meet Alcelia Scott-Ford | Clothing Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alcelia Scott-Ford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alcelia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My first love was always sewing. I worked in corporate America for 25 years. Although I had become very successful in my career, I would still make time to sew. When I got married, my husband was in the military. While I relocated a lot with my job, I also moved a lot when I married a military man. In the beginning, he followed me with my career, and then we had to decide who would have the dominant career. When we knew he would make Colonel, we decided it was time for me to give up corporate America to be home with our only child. As a military wife, there was always a ball to attend. I would end up making 2-3 ball gowns a year for myself. When the other military wives realized I knew how to sew, I started making gowns for them. When my husband retired, and we moved to the Atlanta metro area, I had to start all over again to reach clientele. My daughter became my best advertisement to let people know I was a seamstress. When I realized that my daughters’ friends wanted me to make dresses for them, I knew I could grow my love for sewing into a business. I would get up every morning and go to my studio to work. I don’t look at it as work, rather fun playing with fabric and making unique clothes. Sometimes my husband has to make me go to bed because I will stay up all night trying to finish something. I get so excited to see the finished product. I believe everyone should do what they love and love what they do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My love for sewing has been a significant part of me. It is my way of expressing myself, and it always puts me in a happy place. There is not one individual thing I can say I am most proud of. My pride is an accumulation of several things. I am able to have a business on my own terms. I am Blessed to work from home where I have the space for a dedicated studio, dressing room and a room to photograph my work. Most of my business is word of mouth by referrals and I stay consistently busy with little if any down time. I recall the first wedding dress I made. I had an employee who was the mayor’s daughter in the town where I lived. She struggled to find a wedding dress to fit her properly. She had a small frame but a long torso, she was 5’8”. I remember staying up, putting in long hours while still maintaining my workload. When you love what you doing, you don’t realize you haven’t slept. My success is attributed to being consistent and not giving up. It has not been easy over the years. Every time we made a move to a different part of the U.S. it had me take a pause to determine what would sell and focus on that category of merchandise. Listening, learning the area where we lived and paying attention to the needs of the clients helped me each time we moved. When we lived in a southern suburb of Seattle, Washington I was making evening bags. When we moved to Atlanta I still made handbags, but I also made children’s clothing. When we moved to New Orleans it was gowns for Mardi Gras Balls. When we made our final move back to Atlanta it was primarily formals for proms. I would have to say making apparel for special events, photo shoots and formal wear are my favorites. I’ve learned over the years how important it is to listen to the client. My Human Resource background in corporate American I can attribute that learning curve to. Since making Atlanta our home, I’ve expanded my business and added embroidery. It allows me to explore another area of creativity. I am grateful to God for the way He’s seamlessly knitted my path into something beautiful and beyond my expectations.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came into town for avweek- long visit our schedule would not be the typical things to do and places to go. She lived here previously so our schedule would look something like this. She would fly in on Thursday and we would spend a quiet relaxing evening at home. I would have my husband put something on his TRAEGER for dinner. Friday morning, I would get up and make a quiche, fresh fruit and muffins. (Everyone knows I love to cook). We would go thrifting for fabulous fashion finds to upcycle. Lunch at the Slutty Vegan in Jonesboro, I like all the burgers they offer. I live in Stockbridge so this location is closer. Evening would be a tiny gathering for a ladies’ night Paint and Sip at Party-by-Design in Stockbridge, GA. Saturday we would spend the day at Ponce City Market . That evening we would have a meal catered at my home. The Chef JRob Experience, ran by Justin Robinson, is a fantastic experience and a must-do in Atlanta. Sunday we would live stream church service. Afterwards, head into Atlanta for chicken and beignets at Cafe Bourbon Street food truck. The remainder of the afternoon we would go to the Botanical Gardens. Monday fabric shopping at Gail K Fabrics in Norcross. Fabric shopping is my absolute favorite thing to do, and I can spend hours doing it. After a long day of sorting through fabrics, our evening would be pizza at Slim and Husky on Howell Mill Rd. In Atlanta. Tuesday I would have to drive by the new Amphitheater in Stockbridge for her to see it Dinner at Twisted Soul Cookhouse and Pours. My summer menu favorite is Chef Henry’s Seafood Diablo Spaghetti. Wednesday is the final day, and why not close out with more fabric shopping at Melanated Fabrics? All in all, the day would be relaxing and less jammed-packed as my best friend packs up her things to head home. However, we cannot skip our grand finale dinner at Two Urban Licks. The salmon chips are a must.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would credit my mother with getting me into fashion. She taught me how to sew when I was nine years old because she saw me using a stapler to make my Barbie doll clothes. My grandmother has a tailoring business, and she also made quilts. I was always fascinated with fabrics, colors and creating things. My mother encouraged me to build on my desire to sew, and I made my first suit when I was 12 years old for my brother for Easter. When I look at who continues to support me now, I credit my husband and my daughter. They have stayed up with me late at night, ran errands, delivered orders and been an extra helping hand when I’ve needed it. They have always encouraged me.

Instagram: designsby_alcelia

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Image Credits
Keith Hammond Photography Vxsionary Mimi unlikelymartha