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Fashioned for the Future student designer Vanessa Lozada

03.24.16

By Christianna Barrack

At OC Fashion Week last week, each emerging designer of “Fashioned for the Future” was given the opportunity to showcase three to four creations from their collections. Student designer Vanessa Lozada at the Art Institute of Orange County debuted her looks  and was one of the contestants to win a full showcase premiere this September! Vanessa Lozada gives advice to aspiring designers and shares her feelings on being a part of OC Fashion Week with Greer’s Girl, Christianna Barrack.

1. How did it feel to have your collection shown at OC Fashion Week?
It was a wonderful surprise when my instructor Sonin Lee gave me the news. I was excited but a bit nervous because it’s my first time participating at OC Fashion Week. Watching the audience applauding for my work was a great feeling. Having the support of my family and friends at the show gave me confidence.

2. Who are your style icons?
Carolina Herrera has such and effortless feminine style that I truly admire and Alexander Mcqueen has that bold, avant garde surreal style that inspires.

3. What are your favorite fabrics to work with?
I mainly work with solid or textured fabrics for evening wear. I always like adding something else other that fabric to my designs implementing what originally inspired me.

4.  What are your biggest challenges as a designer?
Putting myself out there. Networking. I am not the most social person not because I don’t like people but because it hard to express or explain myself with words. People are always amazed of my work once it’s done but I fear of not being able to convince a client, boss, or investor to believe in my ideas through a presentation before the design/garment is made.

5. Words of advice for an aspiring designer?
You are not always going to win an award or be recognize for your work but what you will always win is experience. Experience brings guidance for the next step.

Photo credit MYOMedia.co

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OC Fashion Week Designer Spotlight MW by Mimoza Windisch

03.24.16

By Christianna Barrack

MW by Mimoza Windisch was invited to present her line of one of a kind, hand knit and crocheted dresses at Orange County Fashion Week 2016 held at the Resort at Pelican Hill. Our Greer's Girl, Christianna Barrack interviewed Mimoza Windisch to find out what it takes to be a fashion designer, and what her OC Fashion Week experience was like.

1. When did you realize that you wanted to be a designer?
From early on, when I was 7 or 8 years old, I was fascinated with fashion inspired by my grandmother. She was a skilled seamstress and artist who taught me the value of handmade goods that were created with skill, love and creativity. This craftsmanship was part of my heritage and passed down from generation to generation. Even though fashion was very restricted in Albania at the time, I was exposed to fashion trends from Italy and other surrounding countries by observing visitors and tourists who traveled to my town. They were adorned with outfits that were very colorful, shapely and made of a variety of fabrics and patterns. I longed for the day I could design and create quality, handmade dresses with a modern and feminine sensibility.

2.  What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion for me is a way for women to express themselves, to define their identity and to show others what is unique about them. Now that “fast fashion” is all the rage, I find women are wanting a return to garments that are classic, feminine and well-made of quality materials. That is why my goal is to reinterpret the classic feminine dress giving it a new life through the art of handmade knits.

3. Where do you draw inspiration from when it comes to your designs?
The inspiration for the feminine and classic yet sensual designs I create comes from gathering fashion trends from around the world, while keeping in mind the designers who have come before me like Carolina Herrera and Christian Dior. The inspiration for creating quality handmade works of art comes from the craftsmanship exhibited by my grandmother who continues to hand knit and crochet to this day.

4. How did it feel to have your collection shown at OC Fashion Week?
I was honored to be chosen as one of a handful of designers to represent Orange County fashion. I was excited to showcase my couture designs to a local audience and was encouraged by the rave reviews I received. I think it is a validation that people truly appreciate handmade couture that is also wearable from day to night for many occasions.

5. Where would you like to be in 5 years?
My goal is to reach a larger audience of women worldwide by selling through boutiques and department stores globally. My experience with OC Fashion Week has been so positive that I look to continue displaying my line at more and more major fashion events.  Wherever I end up in 5 years I know that I will continue to promote the art of hand knit and hand crocheted couture.

Photo credit MYOMedia.co

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