Hard Work

Glaucia is a dancer-turned-fashion designer.  Early immersed in the universe of the arts and with great skill to create, it did not take long for this former dancer to swap the pointe shoes for fashion design.

What should everyone know about you?
GS: I graduated in Fashion Design in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where I am from. When I finished college I went to London to study more and work in a city that I admire. After a year and a half there I went back to Brazil and in between working for small brands and freelancing I completed a MBA in marketing.  That was essencial to construct and create my contemporary womenswear label, called Philosofée.  In the past 2 years I am back and forward between Sao Paulo and New York.  I just got married here in the US, and ,for now, I am staying around and work my way in the american fashion market.  We will see how it goes, I am excited with the new challenges and opportunities.

How would you describe what you do?
GS: I create and design, thinking about all the final aspects like fitting, quality, visual appeal and commercial value.  Then I get my hands into making this work, choosing the right materials, the right team to work on it and with my eyes close in each style I secure details are well done, correcting what was not good and improving what I can for a better final garment.

Why did you choose to be a designer?
GS: I decided to be a designer to be able to create, not just outfits, but a lifestyle brand where I can play around all areas of creativity.  I feel good making people more beautiful wearing clothes that fit them well, enhance and improve their appearance.

What steps did you take to become a designer?
GS: When I was 17, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I was sure it had to be something around creativity.  I was always into art, dance, painting, and I was a professional classic ballerina.  In Sao Paulo at that time we didn’t have to many schools focused in fashion, it was something just starting, so first time I read about fashion design college it got my attention, I was very interested in every subject on it.  So I gave it try and loved since the first day, no regrets.  I went through the academic way, went to college for a Fashion Design BA, chose to do internship with a designer in Sao Paulo that worked mostly with authorial pieces, instead of going with the trends and everything super commercial looking.  Being original was always something that got my attention, I always admired the designers that have that image, do something unique, and the goal to create my own brand image.  Finishing college I went to London to take some extra courses at the London College of Fashion and see more of that unique “avant-garde plus traditional fashion” that only the english capital has.  It was an amazing experience the year and a half I expend there, I got to work with Zandra Rhodes, a super authentic english designer that does a wonderful job creating printed textiles, costumes for musicals, and collections for top stores.  I also got to work with the fast fashion chain Topshop at Oxford Street. Back to Brazil, doing some jobs here and there for small brands I felt the need to study more about business to open my own brand.  So I did a MBA in marketing and straight after that my brand Philosofée was born.  It has been 9 years in the market.  Being sold in boutiques in Brazil and Japan, online stores, had done custom made orders for brides and evening wear in general.  In the past two years I’ve been going back and forward between Sao Paulo and New York, now I just got married, and I and my husband are based in Philadelphia.  I am researching and planning the next steps to launch Philosofee in the US fashion market and maybe in between do some collaborations to work with local brands and designers.

Best/Most Challenging part of your job?
GS: Best part is the dreamy one, where I imagine not just the outfit but the entire mood and environment around it, the short movies I produced for some of the collections, the photo shots, all this creation and imagination part is the best for me.  Then the challenge is to make all of that happen, imagination has no limits, but reality does, finding that balance is the goal.

If you weren’t a designer what would you be?
GS: Something that would allow me to use my creativity the same way, maybe graphic designer, photographer, interior designer, …

How did you get started in design?
GS: Going to Fashion Design college.

What do you like about what you do?
GS: I like the possibilities, not be doing the same thing all the time, research and design something new, going into new subjects every time a new project happens.

What’s a common misconception people have about what you do?
GS: Most of people that don’t work in fashion think it is all about glamour and not hard work, that is absolutely not true.  On the day by day routine I am doing common tasks to get the job done, sewing, cutting fabrics, looking for a supplier, working on fittings, speaking with pattern makers and vendors, negotiating due dates and prices…etc.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
GS: I hope to achieve every day more and more knowledge on what I do, to leave a legacy of beautiful designs to look behind, admire and then inspire next generations just like I was inspired some day by the designers I admire.

How has your work evolved since you began your career?
GS: I think like in every other job, experience and time make everything better, you get it right with more accuracy and precision as you evolve.

Are there any types of clothing/footwear/accessories that you avoid wearing?
GS: Like I always say to my clients you need to feel yourself inside what you are wearing, you need to feel confident, that will make all the difference.  I would never wear something that doesn’t go with my personality, that I don’t feel good on it.  Knowing yourself is the better way to get it right and feel good.

What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
GS: I am fascinated about fashion and technology, wearable technology is something I want to include in my work.  My challenge now is to find some kind of harmony between technology and ladylike elegance.  Work on a well tailored blazer that has functionality, or a cocktail dress doing a little more than make you feel beautiful.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your career?
GS: Today I don’t expect everything to be smooth, I know problems to solve will be part of the process, and how I solve it is what is going to make the difference in my business and my designs.  Solving problems in a smart way is part of designing.

Other (feel free to tell the readers anything about you that we didn’t ask)
GS: There are more info and images in my website: www.philosofee.com

“I found that the combination of fine tailoring and daily couture offers a special way of designing feminine, fashionable womenswear with staying power – challenging the status quo where fast fashion lasts a single season”

*I am also partner and creative director for a online magazine about inspirations & mood boards:www.allsenseinspire.com

Learn more about Glaucia Stanganelli on StylePortfolios.com

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