Keep Moving Forward

Born 1983 in Mexico and raised in Southern California, Beatriz Italy grew up with an inherent sense of style. She knew at a young age that she wanted to be involved in the creative field of design. She began focusing on bringing her vibrant ideas and unique concepts to life through illustrations and embellishment techniques. She drew inspiration from nature, her culture, and her travel experiences. Beatriz Italy says, “it’s combination of vision, persistence, and ambition,” which has contributed to her success.

Upon graduating in 2003 from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, Beatriz Italy decided she wanted more extensive experience and traveled to France. There she attended the prestigious Parsons Paris School of Design. Later, she moved to New York City where she attended Parsons School of Design and eventually presented her first mini collection at the annual Parsons Benefit Fashion Show. Part of her collection was later displayed at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Beatriz Italy began her career in the fashion industry shortly after graduating form Parsons School of Design in 2006. She moved back home to California, and subsequently volunteered to design swimwear for the beauty pageant, Nuestra Belleza Baja California, in Mexico. Her swimwear designs were shown on Televisa, a prominent Spanish television network. Shortly after armed with education and extensive experience, Beatriz launched her first collection, notably showing it on the runway in 2008 at Congreso de Jovenes Creadores in Mexico City. The collection received favorable reviews from the fashion industry in Mexico. She continues to lead a successful career in the fashion industry and has worked for contemporary companies such as BCBG Max Azria, Georgie, SAM & LAVI, and currently works at Manhattan Beachwear.

What should everyone know about you?
BL: I have studied at the best schools in the nation FIDM and Parsons. I have had the opportunity to work for both big and small companies with 9 years experience. Mostly I worked in the contemporary sportswear market only in recent years designed swimwear. I have a well rounded out look in fashion as a result.

How would you describe what you do?
BL: I create fashion for women based on what inspires and motivates me, as a designer my function is to creatively narrow down and focus on the market/customer needs as a consumer.

Why did you choose to be a designer?
BL: When I was young about 13 years old I saw Oscar de La Renta interviewed on a Hispanic TV show. He spoke about his career, brand and his love of fashion. Watching and listening to him made me realize that I wanted to be in fashion industry and aspire to be like him.

What steps did you take to become a designer?
BL: I decided to go to study the trade by going to fashion schools. I work hard at perfecting my trade I constantly take in information and never stop learning. You have to be current in this industry because it’s constantly moving forward.

Best/Most Challenging part of your job?
BL: Best part of being a designer is I love creating clothing. The most gratifying part is when someone decides to purchase something you designed. Knowing someone liked what you made is incredibly flattering. The worst is probably the long hours and enduring all the different diva personalities in the industry. I don’t feel that is necessary in a professional environment.

If you weren’t a designer what would you be?
BL: An artist who would incorporate philanthropy to my work to help animals, nature, or people in need. Or possibly even an archeologist I love history.

How did you get started in design?
BL: As soon as I had the opportunity right after high school. I took courses at FIDM and graduated with an AA majoring in Fashion Design. I wanted to learn about sewing and pattern making. I knew the concept of figure drawing would be easy for me to learn with my artistic background.

What do you like about what you do?
BL: The whole creative process I like coming up with mood boards/concepts and watching everything come to life.

What’s a common misconception people have about what you do?
BL: They seem to believe the whole industry is glamorous and we constantly have runway shows. Also they think that I spend all my day just drawing pretty pictures.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
BL: Happily waking up going to work every morning for a company I love designing for; either in the sportswear or swimwear market. I’m a simple person as long as I am given the opportunity to be creative that is all I need.

Also, continuously working toward my goal and dream. I want to learn as much as I can from this industry before I take a leap of faith and start my own boutique shop. It is never to late to follow your dreams. I want a shop where I can have my sewing machine in back and make my own fashion under my own brand. But, I think I would sell more than just clothing though. Nothing big or corporate just small business where I can thrive creatively.

How has your work evolved since you began your career?
BL: As a designer I have learned that sometimes its not just about creating beautiful garments. You actually need to focus on the business perspective of things. As a designer we work so far in advance that it can be difficult to edit the line. And at the end of the day the product has to sell. Even if you have your heart set on a particular style, if the customer is not ready for it then it’s probably not a good idea to put it in the line.

Are there any types of clothing/footwear/accessories that you avoid wearing?
BL: I dislike heels. I wear them on occasion if I need to and I think they are beautiful but I just don’t like wearing them.

What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
BL: Currently I have been designing handcrafted greeting cards. Also, it has been almost a year into being new mom. So really I think at the end of the day it’s what makes you smile and what motivates you as individual; we are all different.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your career?
BL: To always keep moving forward no matter what the circumstances. You will get to where you need to be at your own pace. You don’t need to compare yourself to anyone.

What advice would you give to young designers?
BL: The reality is education is getting more expensive. This small industry is not for everyone. The best advise I can give young aspiring designers would be to intern for a small start up design company before spending money on their education. That way they can witness first hand the grueling work designers really deal with on day-to-day basis. This will help them decide if fashion is the direction they really want to take.

What would you like to achieve before the end of the year?
BL: Life is filled with interesting turn of events. I was unfortunately laid off from a company I loved working for this year. At the moment my goal to receive a job offer.

Are you superstitious or do you have any rules you live by?
BL: Wake up try and do your best.

What’s your motto?
BL: Live your life doing what you LOVE. Life is too short to waste your time doing something you don’t enjoy.

Learn more about Beatriz at:  styleportfolios.com/BeatrizItalyLozano / instagram / linkedin / facebook

This Designer Profile was originally posted on StylePortfolios.com.  To see more profiles like this OR to create a fashion design portfolio of your own, please visit StylePortfolios.com.