Today we’d like to introduce you to Lis Castella.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Playing with dolls at a young age and watching my mother make magical creations on her antique sewing machine were my first inspirations. I found myself making dresses for my dolls like my mother did for me. With her love and support, I knew that my future involved something about making pretty dresses. It inspired me to select Fashion & Textiles as my major subject in college which I graduated from in 1991, in Medellin, Colombia, where I grew up with five brothers and one sister.
Vacationing from my Fashion Designer job there, I visited my grandmother in Miami. As luck would have it, I met a couple who were in the fashion industry. I sketched some ideas for them which they loved. Visiting their office I handmade patterns for the sketched designs. We continued making samples as they were getting ready to present to their biggest retailer. After their meeting, they told me they just sold a large order and they took nine of my sixteen designs.
When I returned home I got an exciting call from them hiring me as their Fashion Designer and were integral in moving me to the U.S.A. Working in a new country was exciting and helped me learn to visualize and identify many of the necessities of the fashion industry. I worked as Fashion Designer and Pattern Maker for several companies in South Florida before creating my own, first line of dresses in 2009. Using new American trends and combining them with my Latin influence produced a style that was very pleasing to my customers.
Has it been a smooth road?
Working in a new country and improving my English was a challenge. Keeping up with all the new people I was meeting and coordination of all projects were not easy tasks. But allowed me to meet many of the most important people in Fashion. There was always a small hesitation when I thought “can I really do all this?” I was a single mother of a beautiful young child, my biggest challenge ever. And all other challenges and obstacles seemed to pale in comparison.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Lis Castella – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My company, Lis Castella, is young with fresh designs for ladies looking for alternative styles. I enjoy experimenting with silhouettes, colors, shapes and textiles to produce something uniquely different.
I imagine the customer or myself wearing the garment in several situations and always smile when my mind sees the perfect solution. I like my customers to be included in the design process when I customize a garment. This way I can better understand all the necessities of my client and they will be happier with the final product.
The fashion industry is very tough and competitive with so many good brands for women’s clothing. But I believe in energy which allows me to create with passion. It evokes enthusiasm and positivism that I think gets transmitted into my final garment or collection.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
Several proud moments actually. The most memorable was being selected by one of the best academies in Medellin to be Program Director of Fashion Design at 20 years of age just one year after graduating and only one year of work experience.
Also seeing my designs in the windows of retailers like White House and Black Market, Rampage, Arden B and several other boutiques. And one more. My first New York show, Femme. They chose my clothing booth to be next to BeBe, Rampage and BCBG. I didn’t really sell much but it felt great to be a participant.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.liscastella.com
- Phone: 9543837412
- Email: lis@liscastella.com
- Instagram: Liscastella designs
- Facebook: Lis Castella
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