Today we’d like to introduce you to Octavio Aguilar.
Octavio, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After taking off for thirteen years and working in interior design, I was starting designing fashion again. I named it Dope Tavio after my Instagram name. And I made it a genderless line made of one of a kind pieces. It quickly caught the eyes of celebrity stylists and photographers, making its way on to artists and celebrities. Erykah Badu, Janet Jackson and Miami’s Veronica Vega, to name a few.
Although I starting design in Miami, I quickly moved to NYC with a two-year plan to promote it. After showing in NYFW, it caught the eye of Patricia Field, where My line is now being carried in her Art fashion gallery with other artists. I’m now back home in Miami where I will move into my new studio in the 777 building in Miami downtown.
Has it been a smooth road?
I can’t say it has been the smoothest ride, but it has definitely been rewarding. I went into it just wanting to design and put it out there. But then there the business side that’s a whole learning experience because you run into so many new obstacles without having any PR representing you.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
DOPE TAVIO is a genderless avant-garde fashion brand. It’s made up of one of a kind pieces. It’s a mixture of 90s punk rock and hip hop fashion but in the world, we live in now. Most of the pieces are made with unconventional fabrics and recycled vintage. I’m known for making oversized editorial art fashion pieces that could be seen on different artists around the world.
I most proud of all the creatives that my brand has brung together. All that have supported my brand from the beginning artist, stylist, photographers, models, hair and makeup artist. As well as all of the people that have purchased pieces of mine.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I really do feel like it could be a good place to start a fashion line. It’s difficult because Miami has allot of swimwear designers, and most of the time, that’s all Miami likes to showcase. But I’m here to make some noise and change that. I feel like one day, we could have a Miami fashion week that helps local designers doing something other than bikinis in the spotlight.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dopetavio.com/
- Email: info@dopetavio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dope_tavio/
- Other: https://patriciafield.com/collections/dope-tavio
Image Credit:
Photographer Ronald Flowers Instagram @rome_god
Model Gerrell Hankton
Instagram @ismgerrell
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