A double major in BFA Fashion Design and BFA Fine Arts, Karina Garcia is preparing for her graduation collection in collaboration with BFA Textile designer, Mariana Pazos. While simultaneously developing a business foundation for her jewelry line, Garcia claims the endeavor has opened her eyes to the grueling amount of work involved, however she is happy to do it. After all, hard work is no stranger to the Mexican born Garcia who previously completed a two- year fashion design program in her native country. In 2009 her textile prints were selected for the 2009 Academy of Art University Spring Show. In 2014 Garcia was chosen to participate in the Joes Blackbook Design Competition, a scholarship program awarded to the best in American student design. In addition, Garcia has also done styling for Ford Models with Photography alumna Isabella Bejarano and designed garments for clients.
Inspired by Georgia O’Keefe, Pearl Harbor and World War II uniforms Garcia and Pazos’ collection consists of printed cotton fabrics, midnight navy light wool and silk charmeuse. Half-printed cotton and navy blue light weight wool long sleeveless tops with exaggerated pockets matched with low waisted semi-fitted pants are, “one of the things that make this collection…unique,” said Garcia. “The color combination [of] all the prints have an Hawaiian feeling and they are placed in order to project two faces in the garments. All front faces of the garments are printed with a hint of navy [in the front and on the back]… the hint of color makes this collection half dark and half printed.”
What is your style motto?
Karina Garcia: Blue jeans and a leather jacket
What talent would you most like to have?
K: To sing
Who are your favorite fashion icons and why?
K: [Cristóbal] Balenciaga was one of the most inspiring designers of all times. [The house’s] collections are always clean and elegant.
BFA Textile Design student Mariana Pazos was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and graduated from ITESM (Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education) high school in 2008. An Urban Knight, Pazos has won numerous awards for her athletic endeavors at the Academy of Art Univesrity, including the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Award for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years. Pazos also made the Pac West All-Academic Team for both the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years. She been a member of the Academy of Art University’s Women’s Golf team as well as a Student Athletic Advisor Committee Women’s Golf Representative. For the 2013-2014 academic year Pazos also made the President’s list for having a GPA higher than 3.9.
Pazo’s textile designs for Garcia’s Georgia O’Keeffe, Pearl Harbor and World War II inspiration consists of three prints in 12 colorways that transition from bright to dark. Pazos looked to the tropics and bright colors of Hawaii and the darkness of World War II for design inspiration.
What is your greatest style regret?
Mariana Pazos: Thinking I could pull off orange curly hair
Which items in your closet do you most use?
M: My Nike running shoes
Who are your favorite fashion icons and why?
M: Everyday people I pass on the street.
By: Malcolm Thomas
