We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joean Montayre. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joean below.
Joean , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
modestfashiondesigners.com is my advocacy. I want to help underprivilege creatives and start-up brands find their voice in the industry. My platform is the starting point of their career. When I launched in 2021, some of the designers/brands I featured in my virtual fashion show are start-ups. From there, they were able to understand their branding, showcase their new collections, and found their way in the industry. Some of them were featured in talk shows now, in international fashion shows, etc. I believe it gave them more courage that they can be something. All it takes is for them to go from a starting point which is our platform.
Joean , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Before modestfashiondesigners.com platform, I am a fashion designer of a bridal wear brand, IMAN MONTAIRE; one the first convertible and sustainable designer wear in the modest industry. I have started designing since I was 18 years old, fresh from highschool. I was scouted by a New York-based fashion designer and I worked under her for 5 years. I wanted to explore other fields of design so I moved from designing haute couture wear to furnitures and home decor, then luxury evening bags and jewelries, then ladies luxury footwear. Then I went back to designing garments for a big manufacturing company, few months later I established my own clothing factory.
Fast forward, I started my bridal wear brand in 2013 and it became my forte. I specialized convertible wedding gowns. Its lightweight yet luxurious. One of the problems that
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Nobody believed in me, that I can do/be something someday. My parents were already at peace with the idea that I could just work at a factory. I knew deep inside that I have something greater than myself, I have dreams, I have a vision. I did not graduate from a designing or art school, but here I am a fashion designer and illuatrator. I did not study business but I uncovered along the way that I am an entrepreneur. I learn everything that I do now because.I had to. And I know that there are many of creatives out there whose story is similar to mine. That is why I make it a mission that my fellows will find someone to believe in them through my platform. It will provide support system, and trainings on fashion business.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
Not many common people really understood what NFTs are yet. Its like the computer when it first came out. Not many knew how to use it except those who studies computers. But once establishments, offices, schools started using it, then we learn how to use it. We even purchase it for personal use. NFTs will be the same. It may take 10 more years till all artworks or even fashion pieces can be sold as NFTs and not just physical objects.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.modestfashiondesigners.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/modestfashionmanila
- Facebook: facebook.com/modestfashionmanila
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imanmontayre
- Twitter: twitter.com/modestfashiond1
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCiu7lSsxrPNedrY-tCek7cw
- Other: www.imanmontayre.com instagram.com/iman_montayre
Image Credits
Photographer: Portraits by Bukool Jeff Garban Model: Johnica Po Rivera