Factio Magazine Exclusive: Ikram’s Pick

Fabiola Arias’ webpage speaks wonders for the kind of style and woman she really is. “For she who lives in her own reality. Who believes dressing is the ultimate expression of the inner self. Who doesn’t believe in style but decorates herself as a visually composed collage of artistic beauty. By looking strong and assertive she transforms into anything she wishes to be,” states the introduction on her site. The Cuban native expresses her artistic side in more than just fashion design. Fabiola is also a painter and a sculptor.  As a graduate of Parsons School of Design, Fabiola takes great attention to high craftsmanship, surface treatment and details. Her talents have allowed her to sell her first collection to Chicago’s Ikram Goldman while she was still finishing school.  Her most recent collection is full of pristine craftsmanship of extremely delicate and detailed garments. 

FACTIO MAGAZINE: How does it feel to be selected by Ikram Goldman personally?
FABIOLA ARIAS: I feel honored to have my garments selected by Ikram. I was not aware of her connection with the First Lady until after she came to see my collection, so I felt shocked and surprised when I found out. I was really grateful because it was my first collection and I was in my last year at Parsons, and something like this was not supposed to happen.

FM: For your fall ‘09 collection, how did you come to the color palette jungle green?
FA: It’s a color I had tested in 2007, for a collection that I presented at the Marriot Marquis in New York. I found that color so exotic, full of mystery and it was really well received. It isn’t a color that people wear often, but I think it looks amazing on the skin. When designing my fall ‘09 collection, I just kept seeing the deep jungle green in my head. I don’t really plan my design process, it just kind of flows out of me and onto paper. It’s like being in a certain moment when all of these ideas are stirring up in your head, and there’s nothing forced about it, inspiration just happens by itself.
 
FM: What music do you listen to when designing?
FA: I have a very diverse soundtrack but most of the time I like to listen to high energy music. When I feel super energized and motivated, I listen to Madonna. Songs like “Express Yourself,” and her last album Hard Candy, as well as Michael Jackson puts me in a very good mood. Beyonce, Rihanna, Britney, all those girls. But then sometimes I’ll feel like listening to Coldplay, old jazz, or ambient music if I want to feel more relaxed.

FM: What’s your own signature style in dressing?
FA: I live in New York and I feel most comfortable and elegant in black or grey. Most of my days are spent running around the Garment district, picking up fabric, going to factories, etc, so I have to feel comfortable. I wear black ballerina flats, black skinny jeans and a classic blouse. However, at night if I attend a formal event, I love nothing more than to dress in something of my own design with a lot of texture and color so that I stand out. For more info, visit www.fabiolaarias.com
-Tracey Johnsen