Alumni

Alumna Illene Martoseno Showcased During Paris Fashion Week

LA-based Design graduate, Illene Martoseno was a finalist in the 12th Annual Supima Design Challenge, which culminated with a show at Pier 59 during New York Fashion Week. One of her designs was also showcased during Paris Fashion Week at the Supima Design Lab held at the Hôtel de Talleyrand. Earlier this year, the talented designer was a finalist in the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI) 2019 Student Competition in Manchester, England. We caught up with her to learn more.

What inspired you to become a fashion designer? The world is in chaos, life is chaotic, and I think design should calm it. Designing or creating is something that I've always done. I like to be able to inspire others, enlighten others through my design. I also enjoyed the whole experience of giving a new face to a material and the whole process of bringing my visions to life.

Describe your aesthetic: I like to create confluence between complex and simplicity.

Tell us about your experience in the Supima Design Competition? This Supima Design Competition experience was the most challenging, yet rewarding at the same time. After my endeavors to complete the project, I was swept with an exhilarating sense of accomplishment.

What is the inspiration for your designs? My design was inspired by the parallel worlds of nature and architecture.

What challenges did you have to overcome in the creation of this collection and how did you do it? I tend to overthink at the beginning and the first few designs are always tough, but once I start doing and not overthinking, the rest of the collection start to flow much more easily.

Tell me how to go about setting goals for yourself and how you achieve them? Dreams don't work unless you do. Just have faith in yourself and make it happen. The road may not always be smooth and easy but that's what makes life so good.