Your work is significant for extreme silhouettes, structures and unconventional connections between the body and textiles. Is your job still in fashion design or is it more about sculpture in soft form?
Yes, much of my previous work consisted of exaggerating silhouettes and playing with the human form. I have a very playful approach to design, I like to drape using unconventional materials. I want to push the boundaries of what is considered fashion design. Currently, during my MA at the Institut Français de la Mode, I’m delving deeper into the intersection between the extreme and the wearable. My work now seeks to redefine what clothing means, using it as a powerful medium for storytelling and pushing the limits of what fashion can express.
Your work also shows that you reflect a personal multicultural background. How do you find themes for your work? What themes are you most drawn to?
Coming from a Mexican American background, I often find myself navigating the complexities of cultural identity, and my work serves as a platform for exploring this. I’m particularly drawn to the fusion of different worlds—how contrasting cultures and influences can merge to create something entirely unexpected. My designs are deeply rooted in narrative and character development, each piece symbolising lived experiences.
Much like alebrijes, the characters in my work are messengers from a fantastical realm, hybrids of different species that embody the ironic blend of two seemingly opposite cultures. Through my designs, I strive to celebrate cultural diversity in a world quick to discriminate, while also highlighting the beauty of a nomadic identity. I want to show that it’s not only okay but powerful to be true to oneself, whatever that may look like.
You chose knitting as your major at Central Saint Martins from where you graduated two years ago. What attracts you to knitting?
When I moved to London in 2018 to start my Foundation at Central Saint Martins, I had no clear idea of what I wanted to specialise in. I honestly didn’t even know that knitting could be a degree option. After experimenting with various disciplines, I was placed in the Textiles course within the Fashion and Textiles Pathway, and that’s where I discovered my love for knitting. What drew me in was the realisation that, as a knitwear designer, the final outcome is always something uniquely your own. You have the freedom to select your materials and decide how to use them, making knitting an incredible medium for storytelling and self-expression. This creative potential led me to pursue the BA Fashion Knit Course at CSM where the opportunity to continuously learn and innovate kept me deeply motivated.
Knitting is one of the oldest textile techniques. Is knitting a field that has a future? Is it evolving to meet the needs of modern times?
It’s such an incredible tool for the future. Because you can choose your materials and their application, the designer has the opportunity to make much more conscientious and environmentally friendly decisions. Additionally, knitwear produces very little waste, particularly when crafting garments, as pieces are shaped directly during the process, eliminating offcuts.
Knitwear is evolving into a highly modern discipline. I started with hand knitting, then moved on to domestic machines, and now I’m learning to use computerised knitting machines. This technological aspect of knitting is something I hadn’t initially considered but it fascinates me. The possibilities that open up through programming knitwear are virtually limitless, making it an exciting field with a strong future.
What are your plans for the future? What direction will your work take shortly?
I am currently working on my Master’s collection which will be shown at Paris Fashion Week this year. Which is so exciting! Afterwards, I really want to get back into the industry and work for a bit. My ultimate dream would be to start my own brand, have my own voice, and keep telling my crazy stories while designing clothes that people love. I would love to leave a mark on the fashion world, and do this alongside my friends. The industry has had the same figures for the past 20 years and I want to be part of something fresh that fosters community and passion.
