Q&A: Joanne Cordero, designer, Vicente Villarin
Why did you become a fashion designer?
My family ran a women's boutique featuring custom-made clothing in Covina, California. Sketching clothes came naturally to me growing up and I saw it as a hobby as a child. When I was about eight, I created my first sketch for a client. At nine, I knew how to hand embroider and sew garments.
I also love architecture, so I chose to study it at the University of Washington in Seattle. In my first year I realised I was spending more time drawing dresses, not buildings. It was then that I decided to become a fashion designer, so I moved to New York City to study at Parsons School of Design.
After school you worked at various other brands including Reem Acra and J. Mendel. What did you learn during this time?
I learned so much from those companies. Mainly it was realising that every designer or design house has its own way of doing things and that it's a matter of learning from and working around it. Designing for those fashion houses gave me the ability to explore the craft and develop my skills.
You eventually launched your own brand in 2007. Why did you call it Vicente Villarin?
I named it after my grandfather. He was a great man and a composer. From him I learned the most important lesson in life: love what you do, because no matter what it is, it will make you happy. He's my inner strength. He also wore very classic, clean-cut, tailored suits and his clothes were always ironed to a crisp. He loved the best in life and even quality in his clothes. He's a huge inspiration on the way I design and select material.
How would you describe your fashion philosophy?
I want to create things that I can share with other people, like my grandfather did. I want to create timeless pieces that stand strong individually and as a collection, so when you open your closet 10 years from now, you still love it.
The basic look behind my brand is sophisticated, classic but at the same time there's something sweet, modern and edgy about it. It's about bringing all those different points together and making it work. My designs are for independent women.
Where do you get your inspiration?
A lot of things inspire me - emotions and experiences - but architecture is one of my biggest inspirations. I apply what I learned in my architecture courses in my designs. My spring 2009 collection, Light Against Sky, is inspired by the light from the dome of the Hagia Sophia [in Istanbul] and the illumination of stained glass windows. It represents hope, freedom and individuality.
I also love sculpture. I enjoy the human form and sculpting around it.
What has been the most challenging aspect of setting up your label?
There have been many challenges, but the important thing is to be passionate about what you are doing. Working for other companies was about building my career, but starting my own company was like starting all over again. Now I handle everything, from design to marketing to press. The struggle is to make sure all of it's moving smoothly, but I enjoy every part of it. It's also important to know how to look after everything - some designers don't do everything themselves and they don't understand things like marketing. That can be very dangerous.
How do you want your brand to evolve?
There are many things I want to do. I want to start a menswear line, to recreate a style like my grandfather's, which is very classic. I also want to bring his compositions into it. I'd also like to collaborate with musicians, whether it's in fashion shows or sponsoring musicians.
Vicente Villarin is available at Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, Central, tel: 3695 3388
