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Joana Almagro Interview
POSTED BY GERMAINE GILES 8th OCTOBER 2013
Ladies and gentlemen ... Please meet the fantastically talented and brilliant Joana Almagro. She will be show casing her collection this Leeds fashion show and I met with her to talk about her passion for fashion. How she got into the business and what drives her to success ...
How long have you been designing clothes?
I started making clothes 10 years ago. At first, it was just an informal basis when I was studying at the college of nursing in the Philippines in 2000. Soon after, I graduated BA Nursing and became a nurse in 2004 but the calling of my passion to design and create clothes was still remains in my heart. Even I was working at the hospital, I decided to take a course for Fashion arts and design in the Philippines, studying fashion and garment construction. I graduated at Slims Fashion School in 2006 and started to change my career by accepting clientele since then.
In 2008, I settled here in the UK and my urge to have an international recognition gave me the determination to further my desire to study in fashion at the famous Manchester Metropolitan University and graduated in 2013 with distinction for BTEC Arts and design. Currently, I am studying BA Fashion at the same prestigious university.
How did you get started?
Officially I started in 2011 when I was invited to exhibit my first collection as " Almagro Couture" my own first bespoke label at the Profile fashion week in London at the London Mayfair Hotel. Through which I was spotted by Drapers Magazine and invited to be part of their Drapers: Next Generation Seminar where few emerging designers and fashion enthusiasts were being cultivated to be the next big thing.The good thing was, they featured me on their magazine. That was the most exhilarating experience for me. So, I then decided to create my first website and officially lunched my collection in Sept 2011.
Then, Cheltenham Fashion Week organizer and journalist Sarah Hayley contacted me to be part of their VIP one night only to showcase my AW2012 collection which was attended by the famous celebrities such as Elizabeth Hurley, Shane Warne, Dr Harper from embarrassing bodies and other local celebrities held at The Manor Hotel in Cheltenham in 2012. Since then my designs have been requested to be featured at Fault Magazine, El Estilo Magazine, Chasseur Magazine, Drapers, Manchester Evening News and Cityblis New York.
I then expand my designs to open ready to wear and couture services this year as an online design website and change my own label by using my own name as "JOANA ALMAGRO" label (www.joanaalmagro.com) and launch my SS14 designs. Now I am excited this year as I am going to present my designs for Leeds Fashion Show 2013 this coming October 18, 2013.
Who Inspires me and why?
I have lots to mention on who inspires me most but if you would say who is my designer inspiration? Then I would say in between Coco Chanel and Christian Dior. Both inspires me a lot because of their work ethics and design innovation. They are both classic designer and made fashion design history which until now it never fades.
Describe my collection?
For my collection this AW14 was inspired by the Gold candelabra's and panels at the Westerkerk Abbey in Amsterdam. The sophistication and pristine interior of the church inspires me the most. About my designs the colours of gold, black, green, and earthly colours are my colour palette for this coming season which give significant essence of my fall and winter feeling. The pristine cut, fabric applique and embroidery are the signature look on my designs. I like to create and to construct garments with at most sophistication, calibre and luxurious.
How do you feel being part of Leeds fashion show?
I am feeling nervous yet excited because the show is fast approaching. This is my first time to showcase in Leeds and I am happy to be part of Leeds Fashion Show 2013 because by far this is one of the most prestigious event in the town.
Photographers: Matthew Stanfield / Lloyd James Husband
Models: Jess and Olivia from Boss Model Management
MUA's: Ariana Ali and Lisa
