MARIA ORTEGA "WALKING IN FASHION" an interview

A proper introduction to an interview to Maria Ortega

is one of those tasks you really don’t want to be challenge with,

why?

Basically, because you don’t want to come across as a crawler.

BUT how can’t you? if you are looking at real, pure talent.

I hardly tried not to sound too impress with her work

but I was,

I am,

She is just starting in fashion professionally

And she looks like she is being out there forever

Maybe she was

After all she started designing when she was just a little kid

I hope you like her work as much as I do

-HERE, IN THE ANCHOR-

MARIA ORTEGA

Name:

María Ortega

From:

I live in a little town in the countryside, called Respaldiza, near to Bilbao.

Where did you go to school? What did you study?

I studied Fashion Design a full year in IED Madrid. I currently study Fashion Design in INEDI (Bilbao). I'm in the third year.

How did you get into fashion design and when did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?

Since I was a child I've known that my life was fashion. My mum ever told me to study journalism and then get into fashion mags, but I decided to live inside fashion, not only speaking or writing about it.

Did you have to train or apprentice with another designer? How was that?

No, I have never done it. But next year I will began to work as an intern with the designers JOTAMASGE, from Bilbao. I hope I will enjoy the experience with them.

Describe the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of clothing

The process is too long. Usually, when I start thinking about a new project, I think in a collection, not only in a piece. First, I have to find lots of inspiration sources, decide a kind of style (or clothes) I want to create, think about the fabrics… In summary, decide the overall concept of the collection. It can take me a lot of time of just a few days, but usually it´s a complicated task.

In fact, is not something that has a strict guidelines set. While I’m creating my inspiration book, I draw the designs, I think about the silhouettes and shapes, colors… And suddenly, when I least expect it, the collection appears in front of me. But, always there are a lot of things that are changed during the process.

When all the designs are decided, I’ve to start with the pattern, the most difficult thing, and also de most important. It takes me a lot of time, too. It have to be perfect, it’s really, really important.

And then, once this is done, step-cut fabric and sew it all. I do it all myself (sometimes some friends help me doing it).

When the piece is sewed, it´s important to iron it well, it is basic for a perfect finish.

How long does it usually take you to construct a piece?

It depends on the complexity of the piece. Once the patterns are done and fabrics are cut, the sewing task goes fast.

The creation of my collections took me between 4 and 6 months.

What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?

Maybe the first pieces I’ve ever designed were the dresses I made to my Barbie when I was child. I did them with broken clothes or old curtains. It was a really creative and imaginative way of playing.

What are some of your accomplishments as a designer?

Last October, in 2010, I applied for the competition of young designers “GetxoModa”, held near Bilbao. I shown my first collection ever, NeoMinimal16 and I won. This gave me the opportunity to make a second collection in the next edition, on April 6. And, also, I will start working as an intern with JOTAMASGE (that’s the award for the winner).

"receiving the award"

"Her first collection (Neominimal16)"
photos by Julen Ussia

Who are some of your favorite designers?

Great Miuccia is nowadays my favourite (Prada/MIUMIU), but I also love Stella McArtney, Raf Simons for Jil Sander, Phoebe Philo for Celine, Hannah McGibonn for Chloé.

-Miuccia Bianchi Prada-

What inspires your designs?

My last collection was inspired in Bauhaus, german school of art founded in 1919. And the previous collection was a mix of two concepts: minimal art and renaissance clothing.

My next project, starts inspired by ethnic garments, but I don´t know how will it finish.

Everything can inspire me, I consider myself an observer of life, so at any moment can appear something that likes me a lot.

How would you define your personal style?

I like very much second hand clothes (not necessary vintage clothing), I know a few shops where I buy most of the pieces my closet keeps. My style is minimalist and austere, and the colors that I use most are black, white, grey, nudes, etc. I don’t like exaggerated prints or excessive color blends.

I usually wear masculine shirts, buttoned up to the last button, sometimes any bow tie (that I done by myself) and blazers. And I don’t know how many white T-shirts I have… I love them!!

I love to hold my hair in a braid that after the day looks disheveled. In summertime I put on my head all kind of scarfs and turbans.

I rarely wear necklaces, rings and bracelets. And I never wear earrings.

And what I really love are shoes, high heels. Shoes are my passion. But I like to buy and wear them, not design them.

What do you believe makes a quality article of clothing?

I think the quality of tissue is the most important thing. Design is important too, of course, but a basic-pattern-piece made with a good fabric can dazzle in any occasion.

Is it difficult to find fabrics and other sewing materials? Where do you usually buy them?

Basic fabrics are easy to find. Here in Bilbao, there are a few shops where I can buy good-quality tissues. But some more special ones are more difficult to find, but so far I haven’t needed.

Sewing materials are easier to find.

About you:

A book / why?

The Pillars of the Earth – Ken Follett. The only book that I’ve been hooked (I don’t like so much reading).

A song / why?

Whatever Lola wants – Sarah Vaughan. Is the song from my last catwalk.

Y nos dieron las diez y las once – Joaquín Sabina. A very special song that reminds me good moments spent with my family and friends.

A film / why?

I think I can’t choose only one film. I LOOOVE Tarantino’s style (Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction) and “Typical Spanish” films (Almodóvar).

If I start telling films, I can’t finish… Truman Capote, Brokeback Mountain, Amelie, Tim Burton’s, A Clockwork Orange… and a large etc.

And sometimes I like watching again classic films, as Ben Hur, Quo Vadis, Spartacus, Bronenosets Potyomkin (Potemkin Battleship), Chaplin’s … (my freak side)

A man/why?

Cristóbal Balenciaga. Perfection personified. God of fashion.

A woman/why?

Kate Moss. The muse, the only one, the biggest woman ever born.

A place/why?

Bilbao Guggenheim Museum. A place where I can forget everything and think only about art.

A moment/why?

October 2010, when I won the Young Designers Competition, competing with my first collection. I couldn’t stop crying for days!! The moment when I realized that I was born for fashion.

Back to design:

If you could do anything else, what would it be?

If I couldn’t design, I will like to work as a trend tracker or stylist. In fact, I think in the future I’ll choose that side of fashion.

What advice do you have for a young woman who wants to be a fashion designer?

You must know that fashion is a difficult world and you must love your work and be a hard worker. Fashion is a religion, is a way of life. If you’re sure that it’s your dream, keep dreaming and try to do your best to get your dreams come true.

Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

I hold with my own modest blog, where I try to show things that I like:

Youhavesomethingspecial.blogspot.com

And also you can follow me on Twitter!! @lovetuesday

You’ll be welcome!!

Where can readers buy your clothes?

Leaving a comment in my blog or in my personal email address: maria.ortega.elexpe@gmail.com

If you are interested in some information about me or my clothes, please feel free to contact me. I’ll be pleased to hearing from you!!

A last thought or wish

I hope to continue my professional career as well as started. I would like to live always inside fashion.

And I wish I could meet Pablo soon and enjoy a coffee-time with him!! So many thanks for this opportunity. You just know that’s very important for me!!

Best wishes!! And keep dreaming!!

Let me introduce you now to some of her work:

Below you will see one of her projects she did with a colleague for school

based in HBO film "Grey Gardens"

And now,
Her second and last collection,
"Bauhaus"
photos by Agirregabiria

remember this name
-Maria Ortega-