In 1975, Sally Marchelle Seligman moved to Philadelphia from her home state of Texas where she had been a fine arts major at Sam Houston State University. In Philadelphia, she studied at The Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts. Although extensively trained in fine arts, she decided to make her livelihood using the sewing and design skills she had cultivated from her family’s generations-long tradition and love of dressmaking. For almost thirty years she has created one of-a-kind designs for a select clientele. After starting to design for people professionally, she decided to hone her skills to a higher level and studied tailoring and patternmaking with renowned tailor and author of the 1970’s and 1980’s, Adele Margolis here in Philadelphia. She also studied patternmaking at Philadelphia University with Heide Harper and tailoring with Maria Falcone at Drexel University.
Over the years she has designed many things including custom ice skating costumes for Olympic and National champions, business suits for a make-up firm’s employees, bridals and wedding parties, ball gowns, evening wear, street attire, swimwear, and much more.
“I am most grateful to Renee Chase for asking me to teach here in Drexel’s Fashion Design Program. It has been and continues to be one of the best experiences of my life. The faculty is a great team and I feel privileged to be a part of this wonderful teaching program.”
Sally teaches the Construction Skills class (sewing techniques) to freshman and graduate students and Patternmaking/Draping to sophomores and graduate students.