Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sofia Daguano. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sofia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?
Looking back, if I could turn the clock, I’d seize the chance to dive into my passion for the fashion world much earlier. It’s incredible how many young talents nowadays discover their creative fervor – be it in photography, art, or fashion – during their high school years. Witnessing these prodigies craft their paths from the get-go is inspiring. This is why we have so many young creatives very well known in the market today, winning awards and shooting with the biggest celebrities and brands.
Reflecting on my journey, the seeds of fascination for fashion were planted early on by my family’s deep-rooted involvement in Brazil’s fashion scene. The allure of this world drew me in, and even though I always knew it was my calling, I chose a slightly divergent path by pursuing advertising in college.
Life’s quirks led me to navigate the nexus between creative agencies and the fashion industry. As I trod this path, I seized the opportunity to undertake a fashion styling short course. Little did I know that this would ignite a blazing passion within me. Assisting fashion stylists helped me carve a niche for myself in the industry, where I gained invaluable experience.
In hindsight, I can’t help but ponder the “what ifs.” What if I had started earlier? What if I had nurtured my creative flame from the outset? The realization that I could have embarked on my creative journey sooner, creating my own projects and honing my visual and aesthetic concept, is both a pang of regret and a spark of motivation. But life’s tapestry is a mix of twists and turns, each weaving a unique pattern, and I am grateful for the experiences that have shaped me.
Today, I stand at the crossroads of past and present, infused with a newfound determination to create, to innovate, and to own my creative narrative. The young creatives who have started early serve as an inspiration and a testament to the power of embracing one’s passion from the very beginning. While I may not be able to rewind time, I can certainly forge ahead, armed with the wisdom of hindsight and the fervor to shape my destiny in the fashion world.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My journey in the fashion world began seven years ago in my homeland, Brazil. Assisting Fashion Stylists in the vibrant Brazilian fashion market ignited my career. Yet, my connection with fashion blossomed long before. Raised in a family deeply embedded in the industry, with a niche clothing store importing unique brands like Levi’s, which was very hard to find Levi’s jeans that time in Brazil. I was steeped in the world of fashion from an early age. My parents, a Visual Merchandiser and a Fashion Consultant, kindled my fascination for fabrics, clothing quality, aesthetics, and the art of sales.
While pursuing Advertising in college, I gravitated towards content creation, the behind-the-scenes magic, and the creative essence of production, way more than the marketing side. iVogue editorial and TV commercials were my inspiration to learn and started to be a dream to part of it. My curiosity led me to enroll in a Fashion Styling course, a pivotal moment that set me on a path of hands-on learning. A mentor became my guide, and I embarked on a journey crafting campaigns for renowned brands and magazine editorials, bridging my love for aesthetics and storytelling.
Although my path diverged from traditional advertising and fashion editorials, my journey was marked by assisting various fashion stylists, culminating in my name gracing the pages of prominent magazines as a Fashion Producer. My portfolio burgeoned, and as I cultivated my aesthetic ethos, I began working independently, garnering clients and embarking on a solo career as a Fashion Stylist.
The turning point arrived when I chose to expand my horizons to Miami, seeking to delve into the American market with its boundless opportunities. The allure of broader accessibility to the fashion world motivated my migration, as I embraced the challenge of carving a niche in a new landscape. We a have amazing creatives and professionals in Brazil, however international content have a big delay to be consumed over there, unfortunately. Now a days this is changing with all the media around us.
In the grand tapestry of life, my story weaves a narrative of passion, persistence, and the pursuit of creativity. The embrace of my roots, the fusion of my family’s legacy, and my personal journey have converged to propel me forward. While my origin, Brazil, might be marked by a certain guardedness, my journey has been about transcending barriers, connecting with diverse perspectives, and nurturing my boundless passion for fashion.
It’s truly been a journey of growth and accomplishment. Arriving in Miami, I started afresh, collaborating with exceptional professionals in the fashion industry. While I brought my Fashion Styling skills to the table, embracing the role of a fashion stylist assistant in this new environment proved to be a stepping stone. It not only honed my abilities but also opened doors to forge valuable connections within Miami’s dynamic fashion scene.
Today, I’m delighted to stand as the lead Fashion and Wardrobe Stylist in Miami, a testament to my perseverance and dedication. Over nearly five years in this vibrant city, I’ve crafted a solo career that I’m immensely proud of. The chapters of my journey have included styling captivating TV commercials for renowned entities like Hard Rock and Australian Gold, as well as lending my creative touch to resorts, hotels, and fashion editorials featured in illustrious publications such as Harper’s Bazaar and Cosmopolitan, also to have the pleasure to work with amazing celebrities like Karlie Kloss, Iggy Pop, Tyler Herro.
From humble beginnings assisting professionals to claiming my role as a lead Fashion Stylist, every experience has shaped the narrative of my success. The vibrant blend of Miami’s energy and my tenacity has paved the way for a remarkable journey that continues to unfold.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I’m all about chasing big dreams in the world of fashion and entertainment. Right now, my career goal is to work with renowned brands and be involved in larger-scale productions. I want to make a name for myself internationally as a Fashion Stylist, showcasing my work and even winning awards along the way.
But that’s not all—I’ve got another exciting ambition up my sleeve. Every day, I strive to break into the world of movies and TV series as a Costume Designer. You see, I’ve always had an immense passion for cinema and media. Being part of the creative process behind character development through costumes is simply mind-blowing! It’s an incredible opportunity to shape personalities and aesthetics on screen. I’ve been working so much with Lifestyle and Advertising campaigns and this brings me a lot of this feeling.
Living in the United States brings me closer to these amazing opportunities, which fuels my motivation even more. The prospect of diving into this market excites me beyond words!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I’ve learned a valuable lesson in my journey – sometimes, we need to take a step back to move forward. When I first moved to Miami, I had to start from scratch by working as an assistant. It may have seemed a bit desperate at first, but it turned out to be an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to meet amazing people and be part of some fantastic productions.
Living in Miami taught me so much about different cultures and how the market is perceived from both American and Hispanic perspectives. However, there came a point where putting tape on shoes (literally!) became tiresome for me. I felt like I already knew everything that assistants typically learn, and that building connections was more important at that stage.
Looking back now, though, I realize that going through this process was crucial for my growth. Despite the frustration of starting over again, it taught me and reminded me that we’re always learning something new in life. Plus, when you think about it, while others pay for courses to gain this knowledge, I was actually getting paid for it!
It’s crazy how life is all about taking small steps and continuously expanding our horizons. So here’s to embracing every opportunity for growth along the way!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sofiadaguano.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofdaguano/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-daguano-2655b28b/
Image Credits
Juan Moreno Bianchi, Vittoria Di Lanno, James Robert, Amber Rachelle, Clementine Desseaux, Jenny Roura, Jessy O Barrio, Ambra Gutierrez, Vivi Orth, Victor Daguano, Andre Mattos, Sofia Grad, Yelssing Espinoza