Fashion designer, Luz Esparza shares her views on life during the pandemic

Although the global pandemic has derailed many lives and plans, the apparel industry has historically proven its ability to reinvent and adjust to where, what, and how consumers buy. We take a moment to check in with principals from the fashion design community through brief conversations, and views from within the pandemic. This time, we visit with designer Luz Esparza.

Luz Esparza learned fashion design in 2012 at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Chicago and immediately set out to create avant-garde cocktail dresses. As a result, Esparza’s designs brought a fresh dimension to the familiar--routinely setting her collections apart. Esparza’s design imperative is often influenced by elements from historical movements in fine art, which serves to elevate her silhouettes, instilling a distinct refinement to each piece in her collection.

Esparza says her upcoming Spring/Summer 2021 collection is inspired by Pop Art - an art movement that emerged during the early 50s.

Q: "Why" do you design? Has the answer to this question changed because of the pandemic?

Luz: I design because I enjoy every step involved in the process –– it begins with an idea recorded into a sketch, followed by pattern making, fabric selection, and ultimately, good sewing skills. The answer to the second part of the question is no, the pandemic hasn’t changed the reason I design, and that is because the reason I design originates from the love to create.

Q: Are you currently learning new skills or shifting your attention to new areas of interest? If so, what changes are you making?

Luz: I’m currently working on the Spring/Summer 2021 collection while being involved in the face mask production. I began creating and donating face masks during the initial phase of the pandemic. Soon, the orders to purchase began arriving and I haven’t stopped; I have produced over two thousand face masks so far since the beginning of the pandemic.

Q: How has your creative vision been affected by the realities of the pandemic? 

Luz: The Spring/Summer 2020 collection was postponed to 2021, allowing me the opportunity to add more pieces to the collection.

Q: How do you see retail changing when we emerge from the pandemic?

Luz: With vaccine distribution and hopefully business re-opening, 2021 is certainly a year of hope.

Q: Are you changing the way you do business online?

Luz: Absolutely, online business is the best way to keep social distancing.

Q: Do you have any new plans for the short term? Any new products on the horizon? 

Luz: I recently began textile design, something I enjoy and plan to continue doing and incorporating in future collections.

Q: With the current environment set for telecommuting, flexible hours and emphasis on work-life balance, do you see a continued movement towards “casualization”? Would that “comfort” lifestyle has an effect on your brand decisions going forward? 

Luz: The pandemic as well as political practices are currently affecting the work-force; consequently, impacting the economy. Those changes, without a doubt, are affecting the fashion industry. Designers however, need to re-invent practical ideas that they can incorporate into their collections in order to successfully prevail in the industry. That is one of the main reasons I decided to focus on ready-to-wear.

To learn more about Luz Esparza, follow her on Facebook - Luz Esparza Designs