Clovis native Sarah Mollica Rafferty spent a decade living in Los Angeles, where she worked as a model for big names including Skims and Harper\u2019s Bazaar. Now, she is set to open a Pilates studio in the Clovis Commons shopping center on July 18.<\/p>\n
Valdera Pilates is named after the Italian region of Valdera. Elements of the studio were designed in collaboration with an architect based in Valdera. \u201cThe vision is very Europe-inspired,\u201d Rafferty said.<\/p>\n
The business is a partnership with Rafferty\u2019s husband and her sister Emily, who has been a fitness instructor for seven years. All three are from Clovis. \u201cWe just want to invest in the community that has raised us,\u201d Rafferty said.<\/p>\n
The studio has truly been a family effort. Family members who are contractors, electricians, and plumbers contributed their skills. Rafferty and her husband hand-painted and limewashed the studio themselves while her mother babysat their young son.<\/p>\n
![\"Sisters](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sarah&EmilyMollica.jpg\" "\\"Sarah&EmilyMollica.jpg\\"")
Sisters Emily (left) and Sarah (right) are partnering to bring Valdera Pilates to Clovis. @emilyhadaddy on Instagram <\/p>\n
Rafferty and her husband were inspired to return to Clovis after their son was born, marking her career\u2019s pivot from fashion to fitness. \u201cModeling has always been strictly work for me. I loved what I did for many, many years, but I feel like working out and fitness has always been my outlet,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Valdera Pilates will feature mat Pilates classes and sculpt classes. There will be heated and non-heated classes available.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are open to everyone, every shape, size, color… I want everyone to feel vulnerable coming there. There\u2019s no judgement,\u201d Rafferty said.<\/p>\n
This story was originally published July 6, 2026 at 5:12 AM.<\/p>\n
CORRECTION: This version was changed to include the married last name of Sarah Mollica Rafferty<\/p>\n
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