We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ariana Rodriguez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ariana below.
Ariana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Throughout the years I have worked with many meaningful pieces of art through fashion. Normally when there is a specific topic that really touches my heart or gets under my skin, I really love to sit and read about it research if I don’t know too much about the topic. I then sit and ponder waiting for all the Ideas that are floating in my head and begin to sketch them out as they come. One of the most meaningful projects that I have worked on had to be my Day of the dead dress that was dedicated to bring awareness to the women of Juarez that go missing every year for decades. This had been a sensitive subject because I would always hear family talking about the murders and the missing women and no one being able to do anything about it. I grew up with the horror stories of passing near the border as a woman being afraid to be kidnapped and never coming back home to their loved ones. This is a topic that many know about but not enough coverage to be on the news now at days. The piece I created was a gown that was two toned; one side being completely white representing a bride that symbolized purity. The other half was black with a hand painted representation of the Juarez mountains, where many women have been found throughout the desert. Pink crosses painted across the dress representing all the losses of women who have lost their life to this horrible injustice. A hand painted a banner at the top of the dress where it read “Ni una Mas” meaning “Not one more” I love to create pieces of art through fashion that will really make people think about the subject or leave them wondering to want research on their own.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have been working as a fashion designer for 16 years professionally. I began being interested in fashion since I was a little girl watching my mother sew beautiful wedding dresses and prom gowns you name it she was able to do it all. I used to sit and sketch out my clothing with fabrics swatches, and work with her so she can create them for me. Once I reached High School, I began to start experimenting cutting my own clothes and sewing for myself. I always loved creating art and spent many of my days sketching, painting murals, and creating art out of anything I would find around my house. I began putting my art skills into fashion and decided to pursue a career in fashion. That’s when I decided to apply for fashion school, I started my first year & had to pause for a year because I had my wonderful son and I jumped back into school once he was born. It was a stressful time to complete school and have a toddler ruin many of your projects the night before your finals. I finished school and was able to go into the industry right away working with fashion manufactures designing while I was running my freelance clients after work. As years go by, I decided that designing fast fashion is not my thing so I went into the manufacturing business as a designer. My freelance business Ariana Rodriguez Designs continues to grow as I started to develop my niche and grew my client list. It was mashing up my Mexican culture with a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll. I began to create mariachi inspired outfits with a kick of edge. This led me to have many clients who were interested in having an elevated Mariachi look but still keeping it respectful to the culture. I was able to create some fun pieces for a band called “Metalachi” and the beautiful Nancy Sanchez who always experimented with her Mariachi outfits. My biggest passion is creating gowns that have meaning not your typical store-bought gown. I love every single piece I create to have meaning or a theme as an artist less is not more. You want your design to be able to make people stare and take photos and question your concept design. I love to create stage outfits that are fun and unique. If you have a special event or performance and need something unique to wear I am ready to take on the challenge and design something unique for you. The best way to explain my design aesthetic really is a balance of my culture and a elegant dark aesthetic. I will assure you that you will have a one of a kind piece wearing Ariana Rodriguez Designs.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is to be able to create a work of art that expresses the way you feel or think. It is a form of therapy that really helps you release emotion, whether it’s happiness, sadness, anger, or simply Bringing memories. Just like I have a sign in my workspace that says sewing is cheaper than Therapy. When I feel sad, I like to go into my work room and just begin to work on creating new stuff because it helps me heal emotionally. I think as a creative we really use this as an outlet of a way to cope with healing regardless of what the situation might be. It helps us fill in certain voids in ourselves. Even if you Do not consider yourself a creative. I really recommend a form of crafting as therapy, just the act of creating something with your hands is therapeutic.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I really think that Our society really focuses on very high-end brands when there is many upcoming independent designers that don’t get much light or can’t surpass a certain tier because of their wealth situation and strong judgments towards the designer as a person holding image standards instead of viewing the designer for their talent. There needs to be more independent, designer showcases, to really have a diverse aesthetic to offer the community that there is a designer that fits everyone’s personality. I believe we should support the smaller businesses and independent creatives first because they are more focused and caring for their consumers and they are the ones that usually give back to the community. I love supporting, especially small women owned businesses.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Ariana_rodriguez_designs
Image Credits
Photos by Ana J
Chris Gomez Photography
Farah Stop Photography
Butch locsin