10 Questions for Designer Nadia Manjarrez
Designer Nadia Manjarrez
1) What inspired you to become a designer?
My mother taught me how to sew at the age of 6, I would spend my weekends making hair ties or clothes for my Barbie dolls made out of old t-shirts or socks so design in some way has always been a part of my life. I didn’t consider it as a viable career choice until I was asked to make a life-career plan at the end of high school. The task was to make your hobby a career and I realized it was an attainable plan.
2) Tell us about how and when you launched your company.
I was working in New York at the end of 2019 when a couple of friends asked me to design their wedding gowns. I decided to go back home to Mexico for a couple of months and temporarily hire a seamstress to help me complete my bridal projects before returning to New York, but then the pandemic hit. We started making facemasks to donate to local hospitals and the doctor's families started to buy our masks which helped us grow our team until finally switching back gears to bridal dresses. I formally launched my brand in October 2021 at NYBFW
3) What was your previous training experience?
I graduated from fashion and textile design at Universidad de Monterrey in México and then moved to New York to work for evening fashion brands such as Bibhu Mohapatra, Badgley Mischka, Marchesa, Cushnie and Flor Et.al
4) Where are you based, tell us about the atelier?
I am based in my hometown in Culiacán, México. Our company employs only women who are heads of their households. I hire people from the US and Spain to train them and improve their sewing skills. We are currently a team of 17 women. I also just opened a showroom in NYC this past October where brides can schedule appointments to come shop the collection.
5) Describe the look of your work and the concept of the brand.
Our look is contemporary with a fun twist, we create modular pieces where one look transforms into another. We use recycled polyesters and certified silks and have an upcycling division where brides can return their dresses to be transformed into another keepsake piece. I want brides who buy my collection, to really get the most out of their dress.
