Marcela Stark; designer of Claudine Stark, talks fashion, fame and culture. Interviewed by Gabrielle Compolongo GC: At what age did you know this was the career for you? MS: I’ve always been super artistic since I was a little girl. My mom used to buy me markers because I loved painting and drawing. I used to copy drawings from cartoons and dress up Barbie dolls. My mom was very much into fashion as well. From the days as early as my elementary education through high school graduation, fashion was something that I’ve always enjoyed. I had the option of interior design, but I wanted to go for something that made me happy. Everything related to fashion for me, I love it. GC: Where does your inspiration come from? MS: My inspiration comes from many different places, but I have to say it mostly comes from within myself. I’m very independent and I love feminine women who know what they want. My designs contain a lot of the decades of the 80’s mixed with the 20’s. In the 20’s you see the elegant women, chic, those kinds of elements. And the edgy way of the 80’s, dancing and movements. For colors, I like to play with pinks & fabrics themselves. GC: Who would you love to see in one of your designs? MS: I really like Sarah Jessica Parker. Actually, I just came back from New York, and while I was there I met her on the streets my last day. I took it as a sign. She’s a fashion icon for me. I love her style in Sex and The City. Very vintage but shows a lot of attitude. She’s the kind of person I see wearing my designs. She’s somebody I like a lot. Madonna for example, she has a lot of personality and at the same time she has good energies. I want to say Lady Gaga, but she’s very very edgy, and there’s something weird about her. (laughs) GC: What trends do you see in Miami right now? MS: Miami is a place where you see so many cultures. If you walk in the street you don’t really see fashion, it’s a beach place. When you go out at night you see that people like to show off their bodies, wear sexy things, show skin and all of that. The jumper trend, I see that a lot; the one-piece romper jumper. Rompers with shorts, jumpers with pants. I see a lot of sheer with tank tops underneath, showing the shoulders a lot. Since it’s hot here, they also want to be comfortable. GC: Is there a specific trend you go for? MS: My designs are super flexible. You can wear them during the day, during the night, dress them down, dress them up. My jumpers and rompers come with a chain at the back that you can remove or pull back with some heels. My designs have functionality and versatility. There are also two ways to wear my tops so you get two for example, she has a lot of personality and at the same time she has good energies. I want to say Lady Gaga, but she’s very very edgy, and there’s something weird about her. (laughs) GC: What trends do you see in Miami right now? MS: Miami is a place where you see so many cultures. If you walk in the street you don’t really see fashion, it’s a beach place. When you go out at night you see that people like to show off their bodies, wear sexy things, show skin and all of that. The jumper trend, I see that a lot; the one-piece romper jumper. Rompers with shorts, jumpers with pants. I see a lot of sheer with tank tops underneath, showing the shoulders a lot. Since it’s hot here, they also want to be comfortable. GC: Is there a specific trend you go for? MS: My designs are super flexible. You can wear them during the day, during the night, dress them down, dress them up. My jumpers and rompers come with a chain at the back that you can remove or pull back with some heels. My designs have functionality and versatility. There are also two ways to wear my tops so you get two garments in one. With the slow economy, people don’t want to spend too much, so if you can get two in one, that’s a great trend. I love edgy, with a lot of cutout shoulder. The dress featured in this magazine has triangles of silk and a lot of movement. Fashionable women are looking for changes right now and are wearing a lot of accessories. I see my dresses as a dress and an accessory all together, creating those elements in the dress. Chains, ruffles, and zippers. Things that make the garment special and different. GC: What has been your greatest setbacks in launching your own line? MS: I went to school for fashion and I learned a lot of aspects. You can’t compare practice to real life. All of these months I’ve been starting my business, it helped me to realize that not everything is “pink” in life. There’s tough competition and tough people. You’re going to have people that love you, but you can have clients that don’t need your things for their styles, or ages. You have to have a steady personality. You have to be professional and show them you are serious. 10% of fashion designers actually make it. GC: Where do you see yourself in the next 3 years as a designer? MS: I will continue to find out about opportunities through events and talking with people. I’m also looking to do events related to different organizations. I see myself collaborating with communities of non-profit organizations such as charities. It benefits both a good cause and my business as well. I will grow. I will have a steady clientele nationally and internationally. I’m putting in my best. I