Meet Amanda Casarez, one of Omaha Fashion Week’s featured designers. Read about her contemporary women's wear line and the collection she is working on for the runway this August!
How did you get into fashion? Tell me a little about your background.
I got into fashion at a really young age because of my mother. She worked from home for many years and I learned to cut and sew from her. By the time I was in high school I was making formal and prom dresses for myself, as well as for my friends. After high school my plans deviated from fashion and I attended California State University, Stanislaus and graduated with my first Bachelor’s degree in marine biology/zoology. It wasn't until around 2011 that I decided I wanted to get back into fashion, and I was fortunate enough to attend University of Hawaii at Manoa for fashion design and merchandising. I found that fashion is what makes me happy!
Mood board for the SS18 collection
Describe your brand and the point of view you wish to convey. What category does your brand fall under?
The Amanda Casarez brand is an advanced contemporary women’s wear line that embraces structure, linear silhouettes, a love for texture, and bold prints. The brand is definitely composed of statement-making pieces, making it perfect for the bold and unapologetic woman of today.
What are your personal goals or goals for your brand?
My personal goal for my brand is to make it a national brand. I want to be able to sell my clothes nationally within the next five years.
Describe your favorite project or projects that you have worked on.
One of my favorite projects to date was participating in the Red Dress Collection in collaboration with Macy’s and the American Heart Association during New York Fashion Week in February of this year. I was able to create a dress that was worn by Veronica Webb on the runway at NYFW.
Sketches of the SS18 collection
Where did you find inspiration for your new collection?
The inspiration for my SS18 collection is taken from nature. The concept is taken from a piece of art that depicts flowers growing from a woman's head and roots that extend from the flowers on her head down into the ground. I want to take that personal connection with nature and transpose that into my collection.
Describe the collection you are creating.
My aesthetic is very linear, structural, and a bit masculine. I want this collection to have a structural feel, with a slight 70s vibe. To lighten it up, I will be incorporating sheer floral fabrics.
Sneak Peak of the upcoming collection
What sort of design elements can we expect from you this season? What materials, colors, shapes, or patterns will you be using?
The color palette, like the fabrics, will be taken from nature, and include reds, pinks, greens, and ivory. My materials are generally natural fabrics. For this collection I will be using linen, linen blends, cotton and silk blends, and silk. I like to use natural fabrics because of their comfort and breathability, especially for the spring/summer season.
In what ways is this collection similar or different than your past work?
This collection is different in that I am experimenting with florals and bold colors that I have never used before, as well as creating self-painted fabrics for an added organic feel.
To learn more about Amanda, visit her website and follow along on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what she's working on.