Meet Liliana Salazar in Cutler Bay

Thanks for sharing your story with us Liliana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Being a designer – a creative runs in my blood. Both my grandmothers were seamstresses, one professionally for 35+ years and the other innately making her own clothes by draping it on her body as told by my father since I never met her in life. Just the sound of the sewing machine for me is nostalgic recalling on many precious childhood moments. As a little girl, I would draw and design outfits I wanted my Barbie to have and my grandmother would make them. When we would vacation in Colombia, I would be on the floor cutting threads for my aunt in her workshop and never did I view it as work as I truly found joy in doing so, for I loved cutting and I loved those tortoiseshell thread snip scissors.

Clothes for me was always self-expression. My mother always shares that when I was four she dressed me in a rush as we were late to my doctor’s appointment and once in the car I began to wail. My mother confused asked what was wrong and I cried, “I didn’t want to wear this!” Blessed to have her for a mother as she took me out of my car seat and told me, “ok, then what did you want to wear?” And I happily went straight for my full look/outfit and radiated with pride once on my body.

I made all my homecoming and prom dresses, because my greatest fear was someone having my dress and so what better way than to make my own. Throwing the fabric on the floor and cutting without a pattern only a concept and working with my aunt to construct it. She then shared that the first time I did that, she was amazed because the only other person she ever saw do that was her mom. I always wanted to have clothes that were different and constantly have visions come to me that transform a tree into a dress and a flower into a full designer look inspired by either the texture, color or shapes from nature.

The desire to develop this talent led me to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, a dream I had the moment I discovered such a university existed. After graduating summa cum laude in Fashion Design, I started working in the fashion industry in New York City for Loro Piana corporate, a luxury Italian company known for the world’s finest cashmere and woolen products – literally! Starting as the receptionist and working my way up to selling the Women’s collection as a team to luxury retailers nationwide, such as Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue. However, I reached a crossroad when my father fell ill and was hospitalized in Miami. I decided to come home and be with family and really make my ultimate dream a reality of being a fashion designer of my own brand.

However, during that time, I was still evolving into my own and never felt understood by Miami. Like my mother said, “you are a caged bird here, go and spread your wings.” And that I did in Los Angeles, my home away from home. Although LA embraced my innovative mindset and nourished my heART appreciating the uniqueness to what I do, without family there my soul called once more.

Now, while in Miami, I am grateful to see its growth as a city that reflects my own as a being. Through my travel, I discovered who I was as creative and can appreciate Miami’s evolution mirroring my own that can now be of contribution sharing all that I have gained to be of service. For I was rooted in Colombia, planted in Miami, cultivated in New York, flourished in Los Angeles, and now branching out from a deeply rooted LOVE.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I am on a path no one has traveled because it is all my own. To realize that was a struggle. Now, I am shifting from seeing a struggle to seeing the challenge set forth to encourage growth – hence now fully understanding the term “growing pains.” I have been challenged on all levels: mentally, physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually. And it is thru those challenges, I continue to strengthen my core with purpose and intention. I have fallen I don’t know how many times at this point, bruised, depleted hitting rock bottom over and over again (so this could be a never-ending novel of a response.) But thru the darkness, I find my power – a power beyond me that reminds me that I was created to create and give of my gifts to serve the world. So I get back up, learn the lesson and rise so to meet the next challenge stronger and wiser encouraging myself with the belief that success is in the rise and not giving up.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a passionate visionary designing lifestyle to reflect inner beauty.

The energy of love and passion is woven into my designs, from real fruit jewelry to made to order clothing. Inspired amidst Mother nature, I connect to my true nature and pour heART into every piece with the intention to empower, encourage, and support your every being to connect to your true nature for that is where your strength and power lies. Make a statement without saying a word; express your true self with bold color, daring patterns, unconventional materials embracing that you were born to stand out and be you-nique. Clothes tailored to your spirit and accessories made by nature, I serve your soul by sharing my gifted talent to give you wearable heARTwork.

What sets me apart from others is that I am me.

What were you like growing up?
Art has always been my form of expression, from drawing rainbows as a little girl to designing my barbies’ clothes. As a child, my mom would dress me in super girly clothes which I embraced. Then went thru a major tomboy phase late elementary and then in middle and high school went thru musical genre phases that reflected in my clothes from rock to hip-hop. Now, I am a blend of all.

I was always drawn to nature and at the age of four, I had a desire to climb the highest tree in our backyard especially when my mother prohibited claiming it “was not possible.” After pleading my case, my mother agreed that I could climb up as long as I knew how to climb down. Only hearing the permission to “climb”, I rapidly reached the top with such joy in my heart for having victoriously figured out a way. However, at the top, the wind was stronger and people smaller, my legs began shaking. My mother’s tough love challenged me once more by reminding me of our agreement. My father calmed my desperate screams by guiding me down patiently branch by branch. When I reached the bottom, I look at my mom as I screamed with all my might “I did it.”