Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Rodriguez.
Mariana, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My name is Mariana Rodriguez and I am from Mexico, I came to Atlanta four years ago to study Fashion Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). I am a painter and a fashion designer because painting has been part of my life, I often find myself creating prints and partners for my textiles. The fashion I do is based in the idea of giving value to the things that are handmade. That is why my design processes involved hand painted textiles. I believe in color and feminine silhouettes.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, I had to work hard to make money to pay college and support myself financially. I was very excited about graduation and all the wonderful things to come, but I had to learn to be painting and stop when the pandemic started. In order to graduate a had to develop a five look collection, and due to the circumstances, I had to be smart and use the situation in my favor. I turned my room into a sewing and paying studio so I could finish my garment. Half of my garments were created from scratch here in my room. With the help of my friends, I have my photoshoot taken in the back yard of my friend’s house. I used her beautiful daughter as a model, she’s only 15 years old and she did a great job! another friend help with her makeup and I did the styling.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Mariana Rodriguez story. Tell us more about the business.
I created my business of ready to wear womenswear during the pandemic, I stared an Instagram @marianarodriguez_studio to promote my fashion collection, because of COVID-19 we did not have the opportunity of showcasing our garments so Instagram became a great tool to show my work to the world.
I created a five look collection inspired in flowers, but these are not any kind of flowers, these are the flowers from my grandmother’s garden. When she was alive, she used to take care of the flowers like a mother takes care of her children. She had a fascination for flowers and plants of all kinds. Flowers had a special place in her heart you will see, she would get up really early in the morning to water them, she would also sing random songs that come to her mind to them, and she would plant new flowers into the garden every season. She built her garden with so much love and dedication that I can still see her in the garden if I close my eyes. I used to spend hours playing there when I was a child, I would get lost into the wonderful colorful garden. As time passed the plants in the garden grew and I also along with them. Every time I go to Mexico, where I am from, I stop and contemplate her garden or at least the remaining of it. Photography is the starting point of the design process of this collection, I take photos of flowers during my trips, especially to Mexico.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the next 5-10 years, I see myself with my successful business. I would like to create a company that helps women in need from my home town in Mexico.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marianarodriguez_studio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marianneroo
Image Credit:
Profile picture credits to @cmv.png
Pictures of garments were taken by Mariana Rodriguez
Makeup by Alexa Hernadez
Model Melissa Meza
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