We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Valentina Menasche. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Valentina below.

Valentina, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I first knew I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally goes back to my earliest memories in the city of Medellin, at the tender age of 6. Interestingly, this dream originated with some pancakes and a warm tea lovingly prepared by my mother. Since then, my fascination with textures and sensations has been constant, starting with the textures of nature and extending to textiles, food, and everything that surrounded me on a daily basis, something unusual for someone of my young age.

With my mother, we used to play at designing dresses for dolls, spending whole days painting on papers with different textures. We would lie under the trees, marvel at the fascination of life, pray for the less fortunate, and share love and positive energy. It was in one of those beautiful afternoons, after sharing pancakes and tea, that I revealed to my mother the name of what is now my pride: “That’s what my brand will be called,” I told her. Her eyes lit up, and she advised me to keep the secret until building the business, aware of the malevolence in the world that could interrupt my progress.

From that moment on, I was clear that to make my dream come true, I had to work hard. I researched, made connections, and fed my unwavering desire to conquer the world. Until the day the process began, we kept the name a secret.

Today, with joy, I affirm that I am materializing the dream of my 6-year-old self. My brand not only seeks to provide comfort, style, and beauty but also to create sensations through textile textures designed for each individual to connect with their body and present in the most humane way possible.

Valentina, 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?

I’m Valentina Menasche, a 21-year-old artist deeply rooted in the dynamic world of fashion. My journey into this industry began with a childhood fascination for textures, evolving into a passion that has driven me to create unique art pieces transformed into garments, proudly showcased through my brand, MNSH.OF.

Throughout my artistic career, I’ve curated around 8 mini collections, featuring a diverse range from haute couture wedding dresses to avant-garde pieces incorporating ambitious textile techniques. My creativity is expressed through intricate details, such as working with unconventional materials, chains, gathering techniques, plush dyeing and cutting, quilting, draping, and molding. Additionally, I’ve directed 7 successful fashion films, collaborating with a talented team of 7 professionals, including film directors, photographers, makeup artists, models, and my trusted creative advisor.

Beyond just creating garments, I’ve dressed various personalities for magazines, album covers, and concerts, actively participating in multiple fashion weeks and presenting collections on over 4 runways. My education in fashion design, under the guidance of a highly valued teacher, further refined my skills in design and textile intervention.

While most of my career unfolded in Bogotá, Colombia, I’m currently venturing into a new chapter in New York City, exploring new opportunities, building connections, and forging paths toward inevitable success.

What sets me apart is my commitment to go beyond fashion – my goal is to transform lives and energies through human connection and the unique textures incorporated into my artistic works. I take pride in contributing to the world of fashion in a meaningful and distinctive way, and I’m excited for potential clients, followers, and fans to join me on this creative journey.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Absolutely, I’d be happy to share a story from my journey that illustrates resilience.

In 2021, I made the bold decision to launch my brand. Despite not having even half of the knowledge I thought was necessary for such a monumental project, I possessed something far more powerful: an unyielding passion and an insatiable hunger to achieve what I set my mind to.

During this pivotal time, I set out to create a mini collection comprising exactly 15 pieces in just one week, all while juggling my university classes. My unwavering belief was that I wanted to debut my first fashion film and kickstart this grand dream on my birthday. With only a single day allocated for shooting, the videographer had a mere 6 days to edit before the video would go live.

However, nothing seemed to unfold as planned. In the early hours of the shooting day, we embarked on a journey to the location at 5 a.m. in a van, but no vehicle confirmed, the location was still undetermined, and just as we set out to find it, one of my models canceled to attend an after-party.

After an hour’s journey, we arrived in a town called La Calera, near Bogotá, Colombia. Despite the unexpected hurdles, we pressed on, recommended a location an hour and a half up the mountain. Upon arrival, we had to hike for an additional hour to reach slightly firmer ground. Just as we reached the perfect spot, rain began to pour. Undeterred, we had to model barefoot, enduring freezing temperatures for about 6 hours, while the video team did their utmost to protect their cameras and still capture remarkable shots.

Receiving the video on June 22, the date of its release, I couldn’t help but shed tears of joy and pride. The video marked not just an achievement but also the beginning of the realization of a dream I had cultivated since the tender age of 6. “Finally, we’ve commenced; now, it’s about growing each day,” I reflected, almost as if speaking to a younger version of myself.

Throughout that challenging week, and especially during those early morning hours, many advised me to reconsider, saying, “If nothing is working out, there’s a reason. Just postpone it; it’s not that serious.” Yet, my response remained resolute: “It will work out, and if not today, then never. I know it has to be today; something tells me.” The gratification that followed was immensely fulfilling. This story is a testament to the resilience that propels me forward, urging me to believe in myself, my passion, my heart, and the pursuit of my talents to reach the place where I truly belong.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Currently, I am realizing that if you, as a human being, are not well, your project and dream will never take off. Because even if you strive to achieve what you desire, it is pointless to be lifeless upon reaching it. I am in search of finding my personal growth to be able to provide, to myself and to every person involved in the creation and materialization of my dream, the greatest love and support to grow together.

In my pursuit of personal development, I am engrossed in reading the book “The 5 AM Club” written by Robin Sharma. This book is helping me shift my perspective on life and my day-to-day. I also recommend two books that have inspired me to continue reading to acquire a vast knowledge: “Rich Habits” by Juan Diego Gómez Gómez and “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. So far, these are my top 3, but if in the future, I come across more titles that can assist, I’ll be sure to share them on my social media platforms.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mnsh.of/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MENASCHE.OF.

Image Credits
Juan Ramirez Matias Sarria Daniela Celta Cristian Candelo Laura Jimenez Catalina Gomez Karol Vanessa Parra Angie Ferrer Nicolle Martinez Mariana Morales Valeria Nieto Fernanda Garcia