INTERVIEW WITH MARIA MOSCHIANO FOR "IMPACIENTES" MAGAZINE: "RETRO AND VIBRANT COLORS FOR 2012"

The closer to New Year's Eve, holiday fashion trends become more appealing. 70's and 80's comeback is a fact, those shoulder pads we refused to wear, sequins and shine will be very present. Tulle with bright detailing and vinyl, different shades of bronzes, yellows and greens, will be front line… so declares our special guest: Venezuelan fashion designer Maria Moschiano.

By: Mitzilay Rojas/Photography: Ángel Sánchez

This New Year, urban structure provides a firm foundation for the Venezuelan woman, mother, daughter, wife and businesswoman alike that always ensures the best look for herself. Glamour sets us apart from other women in the world, so it is paramount to receive 2012 dressed to the nines and according to the latest international guidelines.

For Maria Moschiano, "Venezuelan women stress over fashion and will wear any trend. We will begin to see Chanel-style intricate tweed miniskirts, matched with patterned stockings that will go well even with thicker legs".

Colors for every skin tone

As inhabitants of a tropical country, we love color and anything flashy. However, when we dress up, we worry about what suits us the most. "The core of it is to know your body type well, when that happens and your best friend -the mirror- works for you, you will dress in good style. This is what will make you stand out from the rest". Instead of settling for the opinion of friends and family, it is important to listen to expert opinions. Maria Moschiano says that "Reds, yellows, black and white are colors that go well with any skin tone". For this reason, Moschiano Couture collections offer "shades of burgundy, fuchsia, turquoise, orange and also solid black, gray and white". This range offers the freedom to choose whatever look is wanted.

A Couture get-together

With firm yet hasty step, Maria Moschiano arrives to meet with "Impacientes" magazine. More than an interview, the appointment became a most enjoyable chat among friends. Being a woman, the conversation easily shifted to what we all love the most: fashion, "not any fashion, but Haute Couture", she said.

Freedom of movement, fluidity in texture and vibrant colors are what tell Maria Moschiano's designs apart, works of art marked by passion and a long family tradition: having been born among patterns and textiles made her what she is today. Her entrance in the world of textiles and outlines came from her great grandfather, grandfather and father, all tailors, and also from her brother, a fellow designer. Moschiano is convinced that the art she practices has bonded them all as family. For 12 years, she has specialized in tailoring and visual arts, both which have helped her perfect her passion and achieve "art for the body" whatever its size. "At my atelier we work for the real woman. Sometimes a customer arrives thinking that designers only work on 'perfect' 90-60-90 cm bodies… that is something I save only for shows, but in general I work for women with any body type. The true challenge for a designer is to dress a woman with unique measurements."

Every piece designed at this prestigious house, "machines intervene only 30% of the process to form structures such as corsets and bases, but the rest is finished by hand. On the runway, a haute couture outfit must stand as a real work of art!"

2011: Year of "Fusion" and "Style and Life"

This year, rhinestones and color are mainstream for the "4 by 4 woman", as Moschiano describes Venezuelan women. "Fusion 2011" resulted of the combination of street wear with fabrics normally used for couture, such as hand embroidered silk, even crystals, but always keeping day to day in mind. "I love fluidity in textures, and frequently work with natural and very pliable fibers". This collection emerged from the image and fashion seminar called "Style and Life": a set of rules of style, body language and protocol targeted at the real working woman and mother with a tight schedule, "because fashion embodies several aspects, it is not only about wearing clothes". The initiative has been offered to companies with the purpose of teaching participants how to achieve an "express look".

Bridal is also a part of what Moschiano Couture offers its clientele, hand embroidered gowns with Swarovski crystals that softly shine on the way to the altar.

An Auspicious and Colorful 2012

If we were to pinpoint any predominant trend for 2012, it would be saturated colors, purity of lines, geometric and floral patterns. The "retro" element and vintage pieces will continue to stand out during this new year. One look at the great cinema and television stars or at any magazine, will certify the comeback of the 70's and 80's. According to Moschiano, "Venezuelan women must lose their fascination with anything 'stretch': I would try to eliminate the notion that they must be constricted, one thing is to be in tight outfits and another very different to be in a form fitting one. I would also take away pronounced plunging necklines". As for gentlemen, marked by common regional taboos, she recommends forgetting prejudice in order to be elegant and confident. "Men should lose the idea that a strong color or a different cut will compromise their sexuality. Venezuelan men are still too conservative". That is, keeping excesses in check, she warns, but ensuring a bolder wardrobe statement.

The woman beyond the designer

Convinced she cannot disconnect completely from her designer self, she acknowledges with humor: "I am a woman with no ego, inside or outside the atelier. I am a mother, a wife, a friend and a daughter who I feel will be the same in ten years even if abroad. We must not forget where we come from". Roots, as she stresses, should be nurtured and strengthened in Venezuela in order to achieve a healthy fashion culture. "Designers must leave their egos aside, we should understand that there is something for everyone and that competition makes you better". Such a powerful statement brings to mind what Coco Chanel, one of the greatest, has said: "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different".

This tireless Venezuelan has held shows in Spain, Poland, Uruguay, Italy and the United States, where she established her headquarters two years ago. She plans to expand to Central America, in particular to Costa Rica: "We want to reach for these markets where Venezuelan design is virtually unknown", she points out.

A major source of satisfaction for Moschiano is her celebrity clientele and their constant feedback to her as an artist of the silhouette.

Key pieces and more

In matters of wardrobe, quantity and expensive brands are less important than the quality and good taste of each and every piece. There is no better way to learn about wardrobe essentials than from the experts themselves. They recommend:
-A black tailored suit
-A white buttoned blouse
-A good pair of jeans
-A casual jacket that goes above the waist and fits any body type
-Nude toned heels, to go with anything
-A classic silk dress cut right above the knee.