MV: Adolfo Sanchez, first of all is a pleasure to have you here with us and thank you very much for taking the time to do this exclusive interview with Metrovelvet.com. Adolfo, could you tell us a little more about yourself?
Adolfo: Thank you so much for having me…A bit about myself I’m twenty-five years old and youngest of a family of four. My roots are Latin with my parents both being from Mexico. I was born in Los Angeles and raised just south of L.A. in Orange County. Right before turning twenty-one I moved to Las Vegas for a business opportunity and I have now been back in Los Angeles for one year.
MV: How did you start as a fashion designer and what did you do before you got into fashion?
Adolfo: I started getting into fashion when I was about 15 or 16 years old. I had a group of friends who were older, followed fashion and admired a lot of the houses. They in a sense schooled me on the whos’ who of fashion. I remember them showing me runway shows from designers such as Thierry Mugler and Vivienne Westwood. I later began working in retail and soon worked for a lot of the large fashion houses like Gucci, and Versace for example. It wasn’t until early 2006 that I really decided that I wanted to design and really pursue the industry. Before I got into fashion I was just a rebellious teenager that was always in love with finding out what the latest things were. I always played with what I wore and always enjoyed looking different then everybody else.
MV: Adolfo, describe your philosophy about fashion.
Adolfo: I’m not someone that believes that there should be a look that you must have. I don’t like the idea that every season those who are in fashion will tend to have the same look because of trends or whats hot at that time. I love being an individual and don’t like to look like everybody else. I enjoy people who have their own personal take on fashion/style and take their own taste to be able to demonstrate who they are in this world. I have always loved fashion and truly believe that it is wearable art and think one should be free to wear or create anything we love regardless of whats current.
MV: How do you find inspiration before you design a collection?
Adolfo: My inspirations comes from everywhere, music, architecture, and so much more. I would say most of my inspiration comes from taking my surroundings and anything that can visually stimulate my mind and I allow it to develop into it’s own idea.
MV: What skills do you need to be a fashion designer?
Adolfo: Patience, technique, dedication, perseverance, thick skin, and creativity with an understanding of wearability; I also think that in order to be a designer you should have the knowledge of how to construct a garment from scratch. You should know the process that begins with the idea in your mind to the finished product that is ready for a client to wear.
MV: Which fashion designers have been important points of reference for you?
Adolfo: Some of my favorites have been and are Cristobal Balenciaga, Jean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, and of course the incredible Alexander McQueen.
MV: What for you is exciting in fashion now?
Adolfo: What is exciting to me about fashion right now is being able to see where it is going. The younger generation of designers is now paving the way the industry will be and we are definitely molding it with an edge.
MV: Is being young an advantage or disadvantage in fashion?
Adolfo: It felt like it was a disadvantage being young in the beginning when I was first trying to get into the industry because it felt like nobody was really taking me serious. It might have been because I was young or new or both. Like any other industry you have to prove to everybody that you really want it and that you really have what it takes. I now like the idea of being a young designer because I feel that now people look to my work and not my age that is how I believe it should be.
MV: If you had the opportunity to design an outfit for one person who will it be?
Adolfo: I would love to work with the always amazing Grace Jones!!
MV: Adolfo, let’s talk about your new fall / winter 2010 collection… what was your inspiration behind this collection?
Adolfo: I wanted to take ideas from the 1930′s – 1940′s and bring them to life with my own twist. I studied fashion and what women wore in the 40′s and looked at sensations from the times like The Andrews Sisters for inspiration.
MV: And what’s the new trend for this fall / winter 2010?
Adolfo: I don’t really keep up with trends but one that I have noticed and I’m glad to be apart of is that fur is a huge trend for this winter. I recently was invited by the North American Fur Association to see what the latest trends and techniques with fur were and I’m happy to see that people have realized that not only is fur a beautiful product but it will always be around in the world of luxury apparel.
MV: Where can we see more about your collection or even buy some of your incredible, beautiful pieces?
Adolfo: Well first off thank you for the kind words. I’m now expanded into different boutiques through out the U.S. I have an online shop and also offer the public the opportunity to shop the collection by appointment at our showroom in downtown L.A. We also offer custom and this fall will launch home collection goods. For a full list of locations you can go to our website or for the most current locations you can contact us by email at info@adolfosanchezdesigns.com
MV: Are there any new or upcoming projects you are working on that you can share with us?
Adolfo: I guess I spilled the beans in the last answer but we are launching luxury home goods this winter. We are beginning with home decor pillows made of exotic skins and then plan to move into throws and comforters.
MV: Finally, do you have any fashion advice or styling tips you could give to our readers? If we invest in one thing this season, what should it be?
Adolfo: If you want to invest into one great piece I would suggest an accessory that really makes a statement!! For example we are offering fur and leather bracelets and cuffs with hardware details this winter.
MV: Well Adolfo, once again Metrovelvet.com would like to thank you for taking the time to be with us, good luck and best wishes!
Adolfo: Thanks again it was a true pleasure!!
By Mr.G / Luis Soto