We were lucky to catch up with Teresita Orillac recently and have shared our conversation below.

TERESITA, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

When I became a mom, I quickly discovered how much joy dress-up brings to little girls—and how frustrating it can be for us mothers. I remember my daughter begging to wear her favorite glittery costume, only for it to leave a trail of sparkles all over the house and cause her skin to itch. Laundry became a challenge, and the costumes never seemed to last long enough to pass down to her younger cousins.
That’s when I realized something needed to change. I started Joy Costumes with a simple idea: create beautiful, comfortable costumes that our children love to wear and that make life a bit easier for us moms. I dedicated countless hours to finding soft, durable fabrics that don’t shed glitter, so there’s no more mess to clean up and no more itchy kiddos.
I wanted my designs to be more than just costumes—something elegant yet playful that our children could wear for special occasions or just because they feel like being a princess that day. I understood firsthand how important it is to keep things budget-friendly, so I made sure our gowns are affordable without compromising on quality.
Growing up, some of my most treasured pieces were hand-me-downs from my mom, sister, aunts and even my grandmother. They weren’t just clothes; they were memories and stories shared across generations. I wanted to bring that sentiment to Joy Costumes. That’s why our dresses are made to last, so they can be passed down and loved by more than one child. It warms my heart when I see our gowns on preloved websites, ready to create new memories with another family.
Balancing motherhood and my passion for fashion hasn’t always been easy. Before Joy Costumes, I spent years in the fashion industry, traveling extensively and often being away from home. When my daughter turned three, I knew I needed to find a better balance between my career and being present for my family. Creating Joy Costumes allowed me to do just that—to pursue my love for design while being there for the moments that matter most.
At the end of the day, I’m not just making costumes; I’m a mom trying to bring a little more joy and a little less hassle into our lives. I hope that through Joy Costumes, other mothers feel that too.

TERESITA, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started working at a very young age, many years before I started in the fashion industry I was a buyer for my mother’s party goods store. I worked after school and weekends. We travelled often to source our goods and bought everything party related, including costumes. The decently priced costumes we could find were very flimsy and wouldn’t last long, they were usually uncomfortable, itchy and there would always be glitter mess around them. I loved merchandising and organizing the store.

This experience led me to study Fashion Merchandising. During this time I did an internship with Chanel, where I learned so much. I was a wonderful place to learn about customer service, shipping and handling, warranties and so much more.

After graduating college, I started my own fashion brand making made to measure evening wear. I started my second brand making corporate uniforms. After a few years life took me to the Middle Easton with that move my evening wear line became a ready to wear. I Did international fashion runways, sold at stores in different countries. I loved it and learned a lot. I was living in Dubai when my daughter was born, I kept traveling and taking her with me on work trips.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When the pandemic hit and our family moved yet again, everything felt uncertain. My corporate uniform brand and evening wear line were struggling, just like so many other businesses at that time. It was a challenging period, both professionally and personally. But amidst all the chaos, something special happened at home.
My daughter, like many little girls, loved the idea of dressing up as a princess. But every time she wore a costume, she’d complain about how itchy they were and would ask to take them off almost immediately. Glitter would end up everywhere—in her hair, on the furniture, all over the apartment. With all the extra time we were spending at home, I wanted to create something that would make her happy without adding more mess or discomfort.
So, I decided to put my fashion design skills to use in a new way. I started designing costumes that my daughter would actually want to wear—using soft, non-itchy fabrics and avoiding that dreaded glitter mess. I approached these designs with the same care and attention to detail as I did with my evening gowns, ensuring they were made to last with quality stitching and durable materials. I aimed to strike a balance between a costume and a ball gown, creating something elegant yet playful.
What made this journey even more special was involving my daughter in the process. She loved helping me select fabrics and giving her input on the designs. She became my little co-designer and fit model. When we made our first sample, she wore it everywhere—even slept in it—to make sure it was truly comfortable and soft.
Through this experience, I realized I wasn’t the only mom facing these small but meaningful challenges. I knew other mothers wanted to enjoy these precious years of their daughters wanting to dress up without the hassles that often come with it. Creating Joy Costumes became more than just a business—it was a way to bring a bit of joy and ease into our lives during a difficult time.
Looking back, those moments of collaboration and creativity with my daughter were a source of resilience for me. They reminded me of why I love what I do and how important it is to adapt and find joy, even when things get tough. I hope that through Joy Costumes, other families can share in that joy and create their own special memories together.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Staying connected with our customers is something I hold close to my heart. Even though Joy Costumes has grown and our dresses are now available in over 250 stores, I make it a point to personally handle all customer service. Growing up in retail, I learned early on the importance of listening and being present for our customers. It’s vital for me to hear their thoughts, understand their needs, and make sure we’re bringing joy to their families.
When I was designing evening wear, the most fulfilling part was the direct interaction with my clients—seeing how my creations made them feel confident and beautiful. I wanted to maintain that personal connection with Joy Costumes. There’s nothing quite like receiving photos and videos of little ones smiling and twirling in our dresses. It brings me immense happiness to be able to be tiny part of those special moments with families who have purchased from us.
As a mom myself, I know how precious these years are. Keeping in touch isn’t just good business practice for me; it’s about building a community and being part of your family’s memories. I love hearing our clients stories, celebrating their children’s milestones, and taking their feedback to heart. Their experiences not only warm my heart but also inspire me to continue creating designs that make little ones—and their relatives—smile.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joycostumes.com
• Instagram: @joybyteresitaorillac
• Facebook: joy costumes
• Other: Pinterest ; Joy Costumes

Image Credits

Photo taken with my iPhone