Twelve designers from The Art Institutes showed their Fall 2015 collections at the Theatre at Lincoln Center, during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. This marks the fourth season participating and the group consists of both students and graduates of The Art Institutes system from the Dallas, Houston, Miami, New York, Philadelphia,  Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Vancouver, BC campuses.
Daniela Ramirez, a first generation Mexican-American graduate from The Art Institute of California – San Francisco has beaten out the competition and earned the opportunity to create a collection for the show.

Last year, Ramirez and selected designers contended against fellow students and graduates from across The Art Institutes system of more than 50 schools. Their submissions were judged by a panel of fashion experts including David Siedlarczyk, designer at Calvin Klein Men’s Intimates, Thuy Diep, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and principal at wFOURTH/Creative + Consulting; designer Douglas Hannant, and Daniela Anastasio Bardazzi, Creative Director at Etienne Aigner.

Ramirez was born in Oakland, California and influenced by her architect father, her mother’s strong connection to the family’s Mexican roots, and the cultural diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area. She began dancing Ballet Folklorico professionally at the age of five and was exposed to Latino art. These influences allowed her to be varied in her fashion design.

She studied architecture and used it to influence her designs as a means of better connecting with her father. In an exclusive conversation with model/ TV host Irina Proskurina, Ramirez explains how she uses static and shifting shapes including geometric lines, minimalist architecture and abstract sculpture to create her collection; with  leather and vinyl being her staple materials.

HOMBRE: How does it feel to showcase your line during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center?
Daniela Ramirez: It’s surreal. I still can’t believe that it’s happening. I have to pinch myself and is still not setting in. It’s a dream come true, a once in a lifetime thing and hopefully it continues.

H: How would you describe your collection?
DR: It’s very minimal, graphic, and bold. It’s based off sculptural and geometric shapes and the movement they create once they’re on a human body,

H: What are your inspirations?
DR: My inspiration was architecture. A lot of abstract sculptures. I did a lot of research on those two categories specifically and from them I found a lot of shapes that I liked and a lot of the garments are based on those shapes.

H: Which designers do you admire or have influenced you?
DR: I admire a lot of designers. My two favorites are Rei Kawakubo and Yojhi Yamamoto. I really enjoy their aesthetics. I think they’re brilliant designers.

H: Why would you recommend The Art Institute for aspiring designers?
DR: The teachers are great. That would be the number one thing. They’re amazing. They really know what they’re talking about. They really want to help you and hey really want to help you succeed.

H: How is Latin culture a part of your design?
DR: My father and mother are both from Mexico. My father worked really hard, he’s a self taught, self made man. He’s an architect and my designs are very architectural so in terms my heritage and where I come from is all about my family and they’re the ones that have inspired me and made me the way I am.

H: What’s next for you?
DR: I really want to develop my brand and see if I can start producing garments that are a little more salable, that can be sold in local boutiques. That’s the first step. I’m already contacting and getting in touch with people in San Francisco.
After that we’ll see what happens.

Model/ TV Host Irina Proskurina interviews Art Institute designer Daniela Ramirez for HOMBRE, during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center