SoCal Vow to be Chic start-up emerges

Vow to be Chic, co-founded by Kelsey Doorey and Amy Walker, is an e-commerce rental designer bridal gown company. The company offers an alternative to buying expensive couture gowns for wedding ceremonies. Bridal stylists help with consultations and coordinate with brides and their parties for bridesmaids dresses. The SoCal-based start up works with designers include Nicole Miller, Jenny Yoo, and Alvina Valenta.

Doorey engaged in the 2013 Knapp Venture Competition and won, enabling her to pave the way for the bridal start-up. She was offered a venture capital on the spot, and decided to create the company Vow to be Chic. As the winner of the competition, Doorey was offered 15,000 dollars. “The Knapp Competition literally changed my life in one night,” said Doorey.

Founded in 2014, the company has gained national attention. Doorey came up with the idea because she thought it was unfair that groomsmen can rent tuxes while bridesmaids have to spend a lot of money on one-time dresses. The company started slowly with 800 members, and virtually became a hit in the span of 24 hours. After a week, the company had reached 40,000 sign-ups.

Bridesmaids spend an average of 234 dollars on their dresses, and 86 percent of all bridesmaids never wear their dresses again. Vow to be Chic offers dresses from as low as 95 dollars to 125.