Meet Melissa Cordera of Cordera Custom Costumes in Surprise

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Cordera.

Melissa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I learned to sew from my father. As a young man, he was a parachute rigger in the Marine Corps. I’m short like my mom so having to make, tailor & customize clothing & dance costumes was second nature. When I got older I really got into Halloween & found it so much fun making costumes. Each outfit taught me something different. A new fabric, a new method, a new challenge. Over the years, I would take side projects from friends & co-workers, so I thought “why can’t I do this more often?”. Once I had my daughter, I quit my corporate job in finance & tried to figure out how to use my creativity. Then, it happened. Someone tagged me in a post on social media. I worked with a lovely, spirited, woman to create a themed competition bikini for a national fitness title. And she won! That referral turned into three more that same year. This year, I have repeat business & will be a featured vendor at a fitness expo in the fall. It’s all very new, but I’m excited to see where this will lead. I still do alterations occasionally, but my focus is costuming. Whether it be theater, cosplay, dance wear or theme wear, I’m your girl!

Has it been a smooth road?
I’m self-taught, so the road has been anything but smooth. I learn as I go. I don’t have formal fashion training so I read & watch a lot of how to’s. There is a wealth of knowledge out there, so a little research can help solve a problem instantly. I rely a lot on my family’s opinions, so being able to bounce ideas off of them is a lifesaver. My biggest struggle is being a one-woman show & fulfilling several orders at once. I create everything by hand, so time can fly right out the window when I’m working with a deadline. Which, by the way, is most of the time!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Cordera Custom Costumes is a collaborative design company. I take a client’s idea, & execute it beyond imagination. I do Halloween costumes, Cosplay, theater & stage costumes, carnival wear, fitness competition bikinis & specialty theme wear. I offer a variety of options to help others fulfill their wishes. It’s a great challenge & I never know what’s coming my way or what I’ll create next! I’m most proud to have 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th place winners in major fitness competitions in 2018.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Phoenix is a great place for costume design! Whether it be a local theater or a large dance company, business is needed. I think anyone starting a company in the Phoenix metro area can be successful. There are still many outlying cities that are growing and need more businesses.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 602-500-6370
• Email: CorderaCustomCostumes@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CorderaCustomCostumes

                                            Image Credit:
Karina Bravo Photography for maternity photo in white lace dress.

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