What has been one of your proudest moments as a designer, and why does that particular accomplishment stand out to you?
I always dreamed of becoming a great designer, but my definition of success has never been only about recognition. My goal has always been to give the best of myself, to work responsibly, and to create something I can truly be proud of.
Still, there have been moments that felt almost surreal. Seeing my designs on the runway during New York Fashion Week and at fashion shows in Chicago were incredible milestones for me. Seeing my work displayed in Times Square was another unforgettable experience.
There is something very emotional about seeing an idea that once existed only in your imagination, perhaps first as a sketch on a piece of paper, eventually appear on a runway or above the streets of New York.
Those moments remind me of the little girl sitting in front of her toy sewing machine, making clothes for her dolls. In many ways, I feel I am still that same girl, just dreaming on a much bigger scale.
If your clothing could tell a story about the woman who wears it, what would you want that story to say?
I would want it to tell the story of a woman who is determined, in love with life, and inspired by the beauty she sees around her.
She walks through life without allowing fear or insecurity to define her. She has faced adversity and grown through it, but along the way, she has also learned something very important: not to lose herself in the demands of everyday life.
She takes care of others, but she remembers to take care of herself. She knows her value. She allows herself to dream, to evolve, and to enjoy being a woman.
And when she enters a room, people notice her not simply because of the dress she is wearing, but because of the presence, confidence, and story she carries within it.
How do you hope your work contributes to the broader conversation around Hispanic and Latin American representation in fashion?
I hope to bring a vision of fashion that feels exclusive and refined, but also deeply human.
There is a warmth in Latin American culture that I love, the way we welcome people, connect with them, and make things personal. I want my clients to feel that warmth throughout the entire experience of working with me.
I want them to find pieces that bring them joy and perhaps even a small feeling of home. For me, designing is never simply about taking measurements and making a beautiful garment. I like to take the time to discover the person behind the client: who she or he is, what they love, how they want to feel, and what story they want their clothing to tell.
That is the experience I want to bring to fashion, craftsmanship with a soul, luxury with warmth, and attention to detail that makes the client feel that almost anything is possible.
If my work can contribute something to Latin American representation in fashion, I hope it shows that our identity can be expressed not only through recognizable colors or textiles, but also through our craftsmanship, our creativity, our warmth, and the deeply personal way we create.
Interior Location: Minotti @minottichicago
Back-Round Sculptures by Michele Gustin, @mygustin