Young designer from Aveiro presents fashion collection in Türkiye

On July 1st, young fashion designer Sofia Garcia, originally from Aveiro, took an important step in her career by presenting her final year collection at an international event in Istanbul, Turkey. The presentation took place at the iconic French Palace, under the auspices of IFA Paris, the school where Sofia Garcia recently completed her degree in Fashion Design.

Sofia Garcia, a native of the parish of Glória e Vera Cruz, in the center of Aveiro, gave an exclusive interview to Diário de Aveiro, where she describes this moment as the "culmination of a six-year academic and creative journey."

The route to Istanbul

Sofia's path into the fashion world began after 9th grade, when she decided to pursue a Visual Arts degree at José Estêvão Secondary School. Later, she moved to Porto to study fashion in high school, completing an internship with designer Gil Rodrigues. She then enrolled at IFA Paris, where she completed her degree online, with another significant internship at the French brand La Sousa.

"It was a demanding journey, but I managed to do it all from home, in Aveiro. This school has a very international approach to fashion, with campuses in Paris, Istanbul, and online. The cultural diversity and contact with students from all over the world have greatly enriched my work," she explains. Participating in the final show in Istanbul marked the culmination of three years of intense higher education and about six years dedicated to fashion. "It was a defining moment in my life," confesses the designer.

A collection with soul

Titled “Falling Up,” the collection is a “profound visual reflection on the cycles of life, personal transformation, and rebirth, symbolically based on three female mythological figures: Medusa, the Sirens, and the Phoenix.”

"This collection was a true inner transformation," explains Sofia Garcia. "Each creature represents a phase of the process of change. The Medusa symbolizes stagnation and the desire for change, the Sirens illustrate the illusory enchantment and the challenges of the journey, and the Phoenix represents rebirth, the point at which we decide to move forward as a new version of ourselves," she highlights.

The designer was responsible for the entire creative and technical process of the collection, from concept to sewing, and highlights the support of family and friends as "essential." "I did everything alone, but I was never alone. My family even traveled with me to Istanbul to support me at the show."

As the collection's creator herself recounts, the work was praised by the CEO of IFA Paris, who highlighted the balance between the artistic concept and the pieces' commercial potential, describing it as "professional, meticulous, and stunning." During the interview, Sofia Garcia emphasized the elements that make her work unique. "I'm a person who's very connected to detail and the meaning of each thing. I've been drawing, painting, and creating since I was little, but it's in fashion that I find the true balance between art and functionality," she emphasized.

More than just an academic project, "Falling Up" was a testament to skill, dedication, and resilience. Sofia did all the work herself: design, technical drawing, pattern-making, cutting, sewing, and finishing the pieces. "I had a lot of emotional support from my family and friends. They were always by my side, but in terms of technical expertise and execution, I did everything myself."

A brand of its own and sustainability

Now that she's finished her training, Sofia Garcia is focused on developing her personal brand, continuing to create new collections, and exploring other areas of fashion design, always with environmental concerns in mind. "Fashion continues to be one of the most polluting industries in the world, and I want to be part of the change. I have sustainability-related projects that I want to implement in the near future," the designer noted.

On the other hand, Sofia Garcia emphasizes that she is committed to building a solid professional portfolio and preparing new presentations and collaborations.

Before concluding, Sofia leaves an inspiring message to all young people who, like her, are now embarking on their journey into the creative world. "Fashion is a multidisciplinary art, combining sculpture, drawing, design, and emotion. My advice is to try everything. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Follow your instincts and create with truth. Technique can be learned, but passion and vision are unique," she revealed.

From Aveiro to the world, Sofia Garcia is an example of creativity, determination, and youthful talent. This is just the beginning of a career that promises to make a splash in the fashion world.

On July 1st, young fashion designer Sofia Garcia, originally from Aveiro, took an important step in her career by presenting her final year collection at an international event in Istanbul, Turkey. The presentation took place at the iconic French Palace, under the auspices of IFA Paris, the school where Sofia Garcia recently completed her degree in Fashion Design.

Sofia Garcia, a native of the parish of Glória e Vera Cruz, in the center of Aveiro, gave an exclusive interview to Diário de Aveiro, where she describes this moment as the "culmination of a six-year academic and creative journey."

The route to Istanbul

Sofia's path into the fashion world began after 9th grade, when she decided to pursue a Visual Arts degree at José Estêvão Secondary School. Later, she moved to Porto to study fashion in high school, completing an internship with designer Gil Rodrigues. She then enrolled at IFA Paris, where she completed her degree online, with another significant internship at the French brand La Sousa.

"It was a demanding journey, but I managed to do it all from home, in Aveiro. This school has a very international approach to fashion, with campuses in Paris, Istanbul, and online. The cultural diversity and contact with students from all over the world have greatly enriched my work," she explains. Participating in the final show in Istanbul marked the culmination of three years of intense higher education and about six years dedicated to fashion. "It was a defining moment in my life," confesses the designer.

A collection with soul

Titled “Falling Up,” the collection is a “profound visual reflection on the cycles of life, personal transformation, and rebirth, symbolically based on three female mythological figures: Medusa, the Sirens, and the Phoenix.”

"This collection was a true inner transformation," explains Sofia Garcia. "Each creature represents a phase of the process of change. The Medusa symbolizes stagnation and the desire for change, the Sirens illustrate the illusory enchantment and the challenges of the journey, and the Phoenix represents rebirth, the point at which we decide to move forward as a new version of ourselves," she highlights.

The designer was responsible for the entire creative and technical process of the collection, from concept to sewing, and highlights the support of family and friends as "essential." "I did everything alone, but I was never alone. My family even traveled with me to Istanbul to support me at the show."

As the collection's creator herself recounts, the work was praised by the CEO of IFA Paris, who highlighted the balance between the artistic concept and the pieces' commercial potential, describing it as "professional, meticulous, and stunning." During the interview, Sofia Garcia emphasized the elements that make her work unique. "I'm a person who's very connected to detail and the meaning of each thing. I've been drawing, painting, and creating since I was little, but it's in fashion that I find the true balance between art and functionality," she emphasized.

More than just an academic project, "Falling Up" was a testament to skill, dedication, and resilience. Sofia did all the work herself: design, technical drawing, pattern-making, cutting, sewing, and finishing the pieces. "I had a lot of emotional support from my family and friends. They were always by my side, but in terms of technical expertise and execution, I did everything myself."

A brand of its own and sustainability

Now that she's finished her training, Sofia Garcia is focused on developing her personal brand, continuing to create new collections, and exploring other areas of fashion design, always with environmental concerns in mind. "Fashion continues to be one of the most polluting industries in the world, and I want to be part of the change. I have sustainability-related projects that I want to implement in the near future," the designer noted.

On the other hand, Sofia Garcia emphasizes that she is committed to building a solid professional portfolio and preparing new presentations and collaborations.

Before concluding, Sofia leaves an inspiring message to all young people who, like her, are now embarking on their journey into the creative world. "Fashion is a multidisciplinary art, combining sculpture, drawing, design, and emotion. My advice is to try everything. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Follow your instincts and create with truth. Technique can be learned, but passion and vision are unique," she revealed.

From Aveiro to the world, Sofia Garcia is an example of creativity, determination, and youthful talent. This is just the beginning of a career that promises to make a splash in the fashion world.