As a fashion-industry veteran, Antonio Gual has been behind the cutter's table and sewing machine since childhood. When Antonio left Havana, Cuba for New York City as a child, through his family he found himself at the doorstep of a large garment factory where Antonio spent afternoons creating his own designs with the extra fabric. Antonio's inspiration to perfect the craft of fashion design continued to blossom as he discovered the wealth of style inhabiting the stores along glamorous Madison Avenue.

Soon he found himself at the famed Fashion Institute of Technology and the French Fashion Academy, from where he graduated in 1979.

Antonio went on to open his own boutique on Spring Street in Soho where he sold his collection of eponymous dresses that eventually were picked up by Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys. After 12 years, Antonio felt the need to explore the luxury European market so he moved to Milan and eventually Paris, where he became accredited by the French Federation of Couture and Ready to Wear that allowed him to work in the Couture sector. This experience led him back to New York where he opened high-end ready-to-wear business that claimed Nicole Kidman, Cindy Crawford, Paulina Porizkova and others as fans.

Antonio has long been a friend and collaborator of Melissa Sweet's; so when she sold her burgeoning business to the Priscilla of Boston bridal group, immediately Antonio came to her mind to aid the design of her collection. Naturally, Antonio jumped at the chance- and he has since been an integral part of the design team and has been instrumental in the direction and creation of the secondary line, Reverie by Melissa Sweet.

In 2008, Antonio rose from the ranks to take the reins of the Melissa Sweet collection, since Melissa Sweet's departure, and will continue to build it with the celebrated heritage and integrity for which the collection is lauded.