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FW2023 Update -
The inspiration behind "Initia Nova" is the evolution that we go through as individuals, by burning past versions of ourselves and re-emerging from the ashes into a better self. With the Phoenix as my muse, the different stages of its rebirth are brought to life through an exquisite color palette. Grey represents the Ashes, Orange for the early stages in the bird's life, and the fiery red embodies when the creature reaches maturity before combusting to start the cycle again. The collection embraces a duality of lightness and strength, mimicking the bird's ability to gracefully rise from the ashes. Initial Nova is very close to my life and my story because I believe that letting go and embracing new beginnings always leads to positivity and growth.
Bio -
Born and raised in the vibrant setting of Mexico City, by an entrepreneurship driven family. Through travelling, Eduardo constantly found himself drawn to artistic movements that made him want to explore his creative nature. Resulting in his relocation to Vancouver, Canada in order to pursue his Fashion Design Diploma. During the progression of his studies, he was selected among his program to debut his work at the Spring Summer Vancouver Fashion Week Show of 2019. Where he presented his first ever collection 'Aqua' drawing inspiration from the natural habitat found in underwater ecosystems. He accomplished this by representing his garments through unique silhouettes, vibrant colours, and hand painted details.
Born and raised in the vibrant setting of Mexico City, by an entrepreneurship driven family. Through travelling, Eduardo constantly found himself drawn to artistic movements that made him want to explore his creative nature. Resulting in his relocation to Vancouver, Canada in order to pursue his Fashion Design Diploma. During the progression of his studies, he was selected among his program to debut his work at the Spring Summer Vancouver Fashion Week Show of 2019. Where he presented his first ever collection 'Aqua' drawing inspiration from the natural habitat found in underwater ecosystems. He accomplished this by representing his garments through unique silhouettes, vibrant colours, and hand painted details.
After his successful introduction to the local Fashion Design scene in 2019, he joined the Fall Winter Vancouver Fashion Week of 2022 to present his second collection: ‘Bravia’. Driven by the empowerment of women in their own skin. With gold motifs, and defined tailoring details, he created a collection that portrayed the modern strong femininity at its best. Inspired by his forever muse, his mother. Bravia attained international recognition, and got featured on Vogue Korea bringing exposure to Eduardo's practice.
Interview -
Please share a bit about your journey to embrace fashion design as a career.
Since I can remember I was always drawn to art. I was raised by a business driven family and even thought I was always helping with the family business, in my free time I would draw or explore my creative side. I tend to get bored of the same environment and as a kid I kept changing my room around so it felt different (I still do). This can be a blessing or a curse depending how you see it but I like to think its a blessing because it has allowed me to explore a lot of different fields.
I like to submerge myself in worlds that I have no clue how to navigate or how anything works and become somewhat obsessed to learn everything. Once I feel that I have achieved or got to a place that I never thought possible I move on to the next thing. It started with the piano. Then I learnt the guitar, the drums, and the bass. Then I went to work in a cruise ship as a competence and leadership course. When I returned I signed up at the gym and once I was happy with the body achieved, I started a small business in my hometown. I was 23 and I was bored again. I moved to Canada looking for new beginnings.
I studied International Trade and Logistics at BCIT and while I was waiting for my Diploma, I decided to take a sewing class (don't ask me why, I just did ). Needles to say when I showed up to the classroom everyone thought I was accompanying my girlfriend or just lost. After sewing my first skirt I decided to join LaSalle College Vancouver's Fashion Design Program and everything that happened since then is a blur. I just know I want more of it.
How did you learn your skills?
I learned the basics in school (LaSalle College). I was the first in the classroom, and the last one to leave. I was always asking for more and then investing in books and fabrics in order to try to perfect my craft. I highly suggest you have a mentor in anything you do. To this day I keep investing in books, courses webinars and more. Self-study is a must if you want to get to the top.
How did you learn your skills?
I learned the basics in school (LaSalle College). I was the first in the classroom, and the last one to leave. I was always asking for more and then investing in books and fabrics in order to try to perfect my craft. I highly suggest you have a mentor in anything you do. To this day I keep investing in books, courses webinars and more. Self-study is a must if you want to get to the top.
Who are you as a designer? Aesthetic? Customer? Brand?
I like telling my stories through garments. All my collections are very personal and I don't take into consideration the selling aspect. I see fashion as art, an expression of what the artist is going through. I want the viewer to experience an emotion or a feeling when they see my designs walking down the runway or when they are wearing them. I believe that garments hold massive power and can transform our mindset. My aesthetic is very elegant but not traditional, tailored, and with a lot of movement and softness combined with strong sturdy elements. I love jewellery and try to incorporate metal into my designs.
My customer is a confident, powerful yet soft and empathetic individual who understands the balance between those qualities just like my garments do.
I always have ideas running through my head, so coming up with concepts and collections is somewhat easy. However, because these ideas are flowing, I find myself bouncing from idea to idea . What I consider the hardest is that I never truly “finish” a garment. I always keep adding more stuff or I keep thinking of what could I have done better. I am very critical of my work and that can be hard to deal with.
Where do you find inspiration for new collections? How important is colour to your design process?
Inspiration is everywhere. I love to see what people people riding the sky train or walking in the streets are wearing. There are a lot of cool pockets, zipper placements or even styling ideas that you can get from that. Color is something that is important for every single collection. I try to experiment with color combinations and it is something that I want to keep exploring.
What was it like to show a collection for the first time at Paris Fashion Week? Is there one moment, or a fun story you can share from that experience?
I tend to manifest stuff and think that I am already there. When I was sitting at the VFW as a guest I saw myself walking down the runway and one year later I was there. When I presented my second collection I saw and imagined myself in Paris and I told everyone I was going. I just keep working and I swear things just keep happening.
Showcasing my work in Paris was mind blowing and it just showed me that this is just the beginning. Being in town with the biggest names in the fashion world was humbling and exciting at the same time. This experience gave me the fuel that I needed to plan better, design better, execute better and present better. I have a lot of stories to share, but this collection was put together in less than 22 days. And my team is just me and two girls that support me no matter what.
I can tell you that I was still sewing the finale skirt on the hotel room one hour before the show while trying to order coffee in French to stay awake. I finished only five minutes before the show. If you look closely when I exit the runway after greeting the attendees, I let out a big sigh. I know the mission was accomplished and I could get back to sleep. You would think that I would take vacations after the show, but I am already planning my next collection. I already see myself either in Milan or London, Who knows it might happen.
Readers would love to know more about the collection you showed at first at Paris Fashion week and then here in Vancouver at Vancouver Fashion Week. Do you have a favorite look in this collection?
The collection showed at VFW in comparison with PFW had an extra look because since I had 2 days more I decided to design and create a brand new look. The first dress that you can see in the VFW show was designed patterned and sewn in less than 48 hours. Again, I do not know why I do this to myself but I was very happy with the result. I think the amount of dedication and will that went into that black dress with the flair makes this look my favorite in the collection.
The collection showed at VFW in comparison with PFW had an extra look because since I had 2 days more I decided to design and create a brand new look. The first dress that you can see in the VFW show was designed patterned and sewn in less than 48 hours. Again, I do not know why I do this to myself but I was very happy with the result. I think the amount of dedication and will that went into that black dress with the flair makes this look my favorite in the collection.
Where can readers purchase your designs?
My designs are under commission only for the moment. I like to take my time, so my garments fit like a glove. In the future I plan to have ready to wear garments but it just takes time. My last client was the Vancouver Club . In collaboration with peeled media we created an amazing marketing campaign that is debuting this January you don't wanna miss that.
What's next for you as a designer and your brand?
What is next is keep exploring different styles, fabrics, finishes. Also improving, creating and being a better designer day by day. It’s all about the journey. I believe that as long as you do something with passion and dedication people will see value on it. I am confident that the brand will grow. I mean it's crazy what this journey has been already and honestly, I never expected any of this. But rest assured that I will take it and run as far as I can.
I want to share with the readers that no matter what their dream is, it is never too late. I went to a sewing class with no previous experience and with no clue of what to do. I was judged and I still am. People are going to continue to do so until you get to a place where they will admire you. Remember, it is all about the journey, because that is the beauty of it.
Embrace all the desperation, the frustration, the sadness, the self-doubt because in the end, these emotions make the happiness success and achievements taste even better. And to finish, if you think I have everything figured out, or that I know what am I doing think again. I have imposter syndrome every day I achieve something bigger.
Note - SS23 Runway photos by Arun Nevader, courtesy of Vancouver Fashion Week
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