BEHIND THE SEAMS
Hi!
I'm a Texas native beginning my career as a technical apparel and textile designer after enrollment in the Textiles and Apparel and Conservation program at The University of Texas at Austin. I have been enamored by all things design including art, music, photography, and vintage apparel and is continuously inspired by my surroundings. For the past eight plus years, I have been perfecting my craft in constructing and designing apparel using various methods including flat pattern, three- dimensional draping, illustrations, and computer-aided design software such as Gerber 2D & 3D and most recently Clo3D. A special emphasis is placed on executing designs using technical textiles, novel technology, and eco-friendly materials. I translate original designs from two-dimensional renderings to thoughtfully and beautifully constructed garments. I have also studied conservation curriculum, which places emphasis on the chemical properties of textiles and the preservation, conservation, and exhibition of textiles and apparel in museums and other collections.
My experience in the industry has led me to assist backstage at New York Fashion Week for designers such as Tess Giberson and Lela Rose. I have also had the rare opportunity to be mentored by style icon Iris Apfel in New York City, where I was treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of boardrooms, studios, and curatorial spaces that included Naheem Kahn, Bergdorf Goodman, The Met, and a surprise meeting with one of my favorites in the industry, Mr. Bill Cunningham at The New York Times. My garments were selected out of a pool of over one thousand applicants to show at Dallas Career Day, where one of my garments won second place in the natural fiber contest. I was awarded “Clever Pattern making and Draping” award as well as Honorable mention in the Technical Design category at University of Texas’ Transcend show for senior collection.
I was selected to intern at Alexander Wang Inc. in New York City, where I worked alongside the industry’s top mentors researching textiles and fabrications for mood boards, styling for look books, and sourcing fabrics and trims.
A Texas girl at heart, I returned to Austin to further develop as a local independent designer. I have shown three collections at Austin Fashion Week and was selected as a finalist out of 59 designers to compete in Swiss backed Bernina Blanc Design Challenge.
I've had the pleasure of exploring new avenues of design in the costume world as a stitcher, costume design assistant, and wardrobe supervisor at Zach Theatre and The University of Texas' Butler School of Music - Opera. Shows and operas include Beauty and The Beast, Sunday in the Park with George, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Heisenberg, Singing in The Rain, Christmas Carol, In The Heights, All The Way, The Great Society, Lady Day, The Rape of Lucretia Opera, Falstaff Opera, & La Clemenza di Tito.
Most recently I have been working as a technical apparel design specialist at Miranda Bennett Studio where sustainability is at the core of our collection. Our focus is using only biodegradable and organic fabrics, plant derived regenerative dyes, and zero waste design and circularity methods in order to reduce our carbon emissions and push towards refashioning the industry, one garment at a time.
I am always exploring mentally and spiritually and strive to create and produce clothing that is close to the soul. I reside in Austin, Texas and hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Textiles and Apparel from The University of Texas at Austin and a Business Foundations Certificate from McCombs School of Business.
Home page photo by Angela Zamora