Hayley Paige—yes, that Hayley Paige—is stepping back into the spotlight (on her terms).
The beloved bridal designer and TV personality, known for dressing over 10,000 brides (including a few celebs), has recently reclaimed the rights to her name and creative identity after a years-long legal battle. With a fresh start, she has launched a new collection that blends her whimsical-meets-modern magic style with a sharper lens on ownership, reinvention, and standing her ground.
In a cultural moment where bridal fashion is booming, Hayley has made a point to talk about more than just gowns. From navigating contracts to rebuilding her brand—and launching a foundation to support young creatives—she’s pulling back the veil on the not-so-glamorous side of entrepreneurship and proving that comeback stories are best written by the women living them.
We sat down with the newly re-crowned bridal designer royalty to talk identity, inspiration, and why every dress she makes now comes stitched with a little rebellion.
You were recently able to reclaim your name after a very public legal battle. What did that first moment of “I’m Hayley Paige again” feel like?
Honestly, it felt less like a comeback and more like a homecoming. Reclaiming my name wasn’t just about identity—it was about reconnecting with the work, the people, and the purpose that shaped so much of who I am. My name has never been just a signature; it carries the memory of every sketch, every bride, and every ounce of heart I’ve invested into this craft.
For a long time, I felt like a bystander in my own story, unable to fully participate in the world that once felt like home. So when I could finally say, “I’m Hayley Paige” again, it was a flood of relief, joy, and quiet disbelief. It felt like I was returning to myself. More than anything, it marked the start of a new chapter—one I’m ready to shape with clarity, gratitude, and renewed devotion.
What do you wish more women knew about ownership, especially in industries that romanticize “getting discovered?”
That being “discovered” is not the happily-ever-after, it’s just the prologue. What really matters is how you navigate the chapters that follow. Industries love the Cinderella story, but the glass slipper only fits if you protect your footing (and secure the right size shoes in the first place). I wish more women knew that contracts and boundaries are not the opposite of creativity; they’re what protect the creative process. And when you protect your work, you’re not being selfish—you’re showing respect for your talent, your time, and the little girl inside you who dreamed this up in the first place.
Were there any surprises in the process of rebuilding your brand?
What surprised me most was the extraordinary patience and loyalty of the brides and bridal stores who held space for me. I heard stories of women saving a place in their wedding plans “for when Hayley comes back,” and those moments gave me strength exactly when I needed it most. That kind of support is rare—and incredibly humbling.
The biggest silver lining has been realizing that these designs have always been about more than fabric or fashion. They’re about the women who wear them, and the moments stitched into each gown. That community—their stories, their belief—it’s what made rebuilding possible. Period.
You launched A Girl You Might Know Foundation to support young creatives. What inspired the name—and the mission?
The name came from the idea that behind every glossy headline or viral moment, there’s just a girl you might know—someone dreaming, trying, stumbling, starting over. I wanted to create a safety net for young women navigating industries where intellectual property and creative credit are so vulnerable. Our mission is to give them the tools, mentorship, and community I wish I had earlier.
How would you describe your aesthetic today, post-relaunch?
It’s still rhinestones and romance—I’ll never quit a good sparkle—but the aesthetic has evolved. It’s grown up with me. There’s a newfound boldness to it now… a bit of beautiful defiance. The gowns are s
