Today we’d like to introduce you to Lazaro Sanchez.
Hi Lazaro, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always had a passion for sewing; since I was a child, I already did some work and sold it. I was born into a family of dressmakers. I would say I am its fourth generation. It was easy for me to choose a career for the future and thank God I had the support of my family.
While in college, they took us to a fashion show in Caracas. I was assigned to help Margarita Zingg, one of the most recognized Designers in Venezuela. She saw my passion for this art and to my surprise, she was looking for an assistant for her atelier, so fate began to write my story. I felt like I was working for the House of Dior, Chanel, or Carolina Herrera.
With Margarita, I learned a lot and I perfected my techniques more and more every day. I started as an assistant in 1999, then I was part of the design team. My work and effort were rewarded when I was appointed general manager of the high fashion store that Margarita Zingg owned. They were beautiful, glamorous, and learning moments. But like everything in life, difficult times came.
In 2001, Margarita becomes a widow and decides to close the workshop. It wasn’t easy but life was teaching me a lesson, although at the time I didn’t understand what it was. Starting over was the only way to go forward, but this time I would be using my own name.
I always had clients for whom I made their suits for different occasions. These were long hours without sleep to be able to finish the orders and of course, to be able to pay my bills. No, it wasn’t easy at all because I drew, patterned, cut, and sewed everything in a little room in my house.
Things began to improve when in 2002 my dad gave me the opportunity to set up a shared office, which officially became my first atelier. My clients appeared little by little and sometimes things got a bit crazy, but I really enjoyed the process. To my surprise, they began to invite me to fashion events and big parades that were held during Fashion Week; events as Caracas Fashion and the Caracas International Tourism Fair.
In 2016, thank the Lord, I had the opportunity to be at Houston Fashion Week with my collection of bridal gowns. Without thinking much about how it happened, my designs were already in all the fashion editorials pointing out my classic contemporary style and high-quality sewing that was always well received by my clients.
Little by little, my designs were already requested by celebrities, and candidates for beauty pageants, and for several years it was my responsibility to dress Miss Venezuela in all official events. I really enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with theater producers to make comfortable and functional costumes for actors. By 2016, my collection had received positive reviews and was showcased in the main haute couture boutiques such as Gladiadoras, Le Femme, and La Vie en Rose.
Le Femme used Nina Sicilia as a model, who was the first Venezuelan to hold the 1985 Miss International title and who was also an anchorwoman for Venevision. Nina Sicilia was hosting the TV show Beyond Beauty, where she also used my designs. The show also allowed me to meet Mr. Osmel Sousa, who gave me the opportunity to dress Miss Venezuela.
From this point forward, I stopped being Lazaro to become Lazaro Sanches Couture. By 2018, I was traveling to Equatorial Guinea in Africa as the only Latin American fashion designer presenting at Fashion Week in Guinea. By then, I already had acquired my own store in the center of my country, which meant a great sacrifice since I had to travel every week from the capital to the center to meet with clients.
There were many blessings that came into my life that year, as I became the official fashion designer for the Miss Venezuela pageant and also, because of receiving the best gala dress award after four intense months of work with my candidate for the crown. I cannot explain all the emotions that invaded my body at that moment.
With this award, I ensured my place within the organization as a designer. Sadly, I could no longer continue professionally growing in my country given the political instability, so I decided to travel to the United States in 2019.
I settled in Miami and started again from scratch. Full of new ideas, and with the experience gained over all these years, I got up every day to give my very best. I experienced everything one can possibly do as an emigrant. I really only had one card up to my sleeve: my talent.
In Miami, I went back to my very beginnings, with a small workshop inside my house and catering to clients, who one by one, sought out my services thanks, mostly, to referrals from satisfied customers.
As you can see, I am not afraid of changes, of starting over. I think these make a person stronger. Changes have also given me the opportunity not to repeat the same mistakes. With 22 years of experience in the fashion industry, I can’t afford to make those same mistakes.
For example, I am thankful to God I still have a store in Panama where my brand continues to be #1 in pret-a-porter for the last 5 years; now I think it’s Miami’s turn.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No.
It is a very competitive field and when the big ones see that the little ones are making noise… that doesn’t always go over well. If I had allowed negative things to affect me, I would not be doing this interview right now. I am of character and have strong decisions. I made mistakes and many things went wrong for me like with every beginning.
On one occasion I finished a collection and none of the pieces were sold, and believe me, that moment was a life lesson for me. It is always a challenge to never stop believing in oneself and what we create. Fashion is a matter of taste and right now I am working hard so that Miami knows Lazaro Sanchez Couture and its creations.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an artist, I can tell you that each dress I create, I conceive as a work of art, where not only do I draw the design with soft strokes but I also meticulously chose the materials so that when the dress is finished it is a reflection of myself. For instance, at one time, I designed a complete collection in black, each design reflecting my state of mind at a particular moment in my life which was evident with each design conceived.
I consider myself a workaholic, I’m always checking shows, trends, new suppliers, and where I can find the best materials. I have a notebook where all my sketches are, I just can’t stop drawing. When you work on something you like and are passionate about, it stops being work and becomes fun.
I am considering starting to create my own fabrics but this is something I want to take my time to develop because what I want to offer will be different from what is currently available on the market.
I am a fashion designer, I have a ready-to-wear line that is sold online and in two points of sale in Latin America simultaneously. I specialize in couture designs, which is really my forte, especially wedding dresses and dresses for parties, galas, or red carpets.
My greatest reward is seeing my client’s face full of satisfaction when she puts on her dress for the first time and looks at herself in the mirror; that smile erases all the hours of no sleep used to create the piece. I am known for my participation as a fashion designer for the organization of Miss Venezuela and for my collaboration in different fashion shows.
I believe that what my clients love the most about my designs is the way they perfectly fit the female body, as every piece is sewn according to detailed body measurements. I am pleased and proud with the knowledge that today, every single one of my creations gets sold, thank God. I also believe that one of the things that makes me different is in the way I play with fabrics and patterns I use, and my prints, which I love.
My silhouettes are very feminine, all the embroideries are designed exclusively for each client. It doesn’t matter how the client has her body, everything stays in place when she wears one of my creations and they love that. They don’t need corsets or anything else, just the dress. They feel beautiful, free, and original like a beauty queen.
What are your plans for the future?
In the near future, I will be getting married at the end of 2022 to the man I love, one of the most important Event Planners in Miami. I would love to start creating my own fabrics.
Also, I expect to continue to grow in Miami and throughout the United States. There are a few proposals that I am considering and as soon as they materialize you will be the first to know.
Finish my collection for the spring/summer season. Create Pret-A-Porter lines for stores in the United States…. And hopefully, if in God’s plans, to participate in New York Fashion Week. All changes are important and welcome them all.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lazarosanchezmoda.myshopify.com
- Instagram: @lazarosanchezmoda
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LazaroSanchezBoutiqueAtelier/
Image Credits
ZUVAPHOTO, Oscar Fernandez, Enrique Rivera, and Public Relationist
