Creating Sustainable Couture; "Maria Venturini is a Latin American designer who embarked on a fashion career and developed a line called Venturini Couture showing her latest collections during fashion weeks around the world. The romantic style of her design has become a signature inspired by high-end ateliers in Paris and Milan. Her soft sensual styles, fascinating details, and exceptional tailoring are what make Venturini Couture the go-to destination for high-end gowns and evening wear." From Fashion In Flight
Originally from Peru and now Living in Walla Walla, Washington, designer Maria Venturini grew up watching her mother and grandmother sew most of her clothing, often using fashionable patterns from Burda magazine. Her mother was naturally stylish and resourceful; Maria grew up watching her mother rounding up clothes from other kids who had outgrowed to create new things from those fabrics. When her mom passed away, she inherited all her mother’s sewing notions, sewing machines, buttons, zippers, and other sewing materials.
Maria decided to start sewing but could not understand the patterns. Though Venturini already had three degrees in computer programming, information management, and international Business, she discovered new affinities for design. Then Maria decided to make a career change using her mother’s sewing notions. Her youngest daughter encouraged her to attend fashion school, earning her fourth degree in Fashion Design with honors and the Designer of the Year Award in June 2017. After graduating from The Art Institute of Seattle, Venturini received many invitations to participate in many Fashion Shows, Nationally and internationally, as well as being featured in more than 100 magazines in the US and worldwide.
What inspired you to create your collection?
I have loved fashion since I was little! Therefore, I decided to follow in the footsteps of my two grandmothers and my mother, being resourceful and adding a little help to the environment. Fashion is one of the most contributing to pollution after car emissions worldwide. I love to buy fabrics in thrift stores, yard sales, and community sales to reuse them, creating something new and unique.
How long have you been in business?
In June 2017, I embarked on creating a sustainable design label, “VENTURINI COUTURE’ which is a symbol of “Timeless, Elegance, and Unique” because I can only create one look with the recycled materials I have, making my clients feel very special because no one will have the same design. My first Runway show was in September 2017 at the “Bellevue Collection,” granting me The Most Popular Designer by the audience. I have been in Business for the past 6 years, and I wish to continue with my brand and mission, “the commitment to the promotion of sustainable design using the fashion platform as our voice and vision.”
What is the story behind your brand?
The story behind my brand is sustainability and eco-fashion design using recycled and high-end fabrics for each unique design, making each creation tell us a story. Romance has become a signature of Venturini Couture house inspired by high-end ateliers in Paris and Milan. The minimal yet romantic silhouette and sophisticated lines illustrate women’s strange confidence and sensuality. When I create a new design, rather than sketching, I get the design in my mind by touching the fabric, draping, and continuing to change until the design is done, and then I draw it. My market niche is any woman who wants to feel "Special, Timeless, Unique, and Elegant". I will say, professional women and upper-class clients.
Tell us more about your sustainable goals in creating your designs;
My designs are 90% to 100% recycled from fabrics and sewing materials bought in a thrift store, yard sales, Goodwill, Saint Vincent of Paul, Salvation Army, community sales, etc. I get fabric, yarns, buttons, zippers, thread, and all sources of sewing materials. I like to create timeless and elegant designs so you can use your garment for a long time, which will always be in fashion.
What is this specific collection being shown at Fashion in Flight about? What can the audience expect?
Venturini’s collection “Winter Dreams” AW 2023/2024 is dedicated to the upcoming holidays and special occasion moments in any woman’s life. I always look into nature to get inspired by my color palettes: natural fabrics, textures, and earth tones. I love the comfortable look mixed with elegance. My designs are all high fashion. I love to use 3D in all my design mixes, with feathers, sequins, and rhinestones done by hand. I expect the audience in Fashion in Flight to see how elegant and unique you can look for that special occasion or party with just a simple design yet timeless and sustainable.
Fashion in Flight, produced by Fashion District NW at The Museum of Flight We are putting fashion into flight on the runway on Saturday, September 30th. Showcasing designers from around the northwest.
Where can our audience find you? In addition to my social media & website, I do make-to-order for each customer. People can make an appointment so I can take measurements, or they can send me their sizes, and I can make a garment for them. I work via mail for some of my clients, and it works perfectly, maybe one fitting or two.
Website: https://venturinicouture.com/ Facebook: @venturinicoutureWA Instagram: @venturini_couture
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