EMERGING DESIGNER

Maria Veronica Rivas

IN THIS FEATURE: Meet Maria Rivas Fashion Focus

aria Rivas' style can be categorized as very feminine casual and evening wear. Beautiful dresses, skirts and separates that can be worn any time of the day signify this designer's take on modern fashion with a touch of vintage charm.

Maria Veronica Rivas was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and became interested in fashion at the tender age of nine. Maria’s journey to fashion began by having a great imagination and drawing little girls with different wardrobes. She later advanced to dressing real dolls after her parents bought her a new and innovative Barbie computer program. This particular program allowed her to create computer generated designs and actually print on “fabric paper” which could then be cut out and used to dress her Barbie Dolls. These design experiences and creative outlets helped to propel Maria’s desire to become a fashion designer. Upon graduating from high school Maria moved to Florida to begin her career.

In 2006, she enrolled at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale to study Fashion Design. Astoundingly, Maria learned to sew during her first quarter of study. During her time in school she received several awards. In the Spring of 2008 she received a Volunteer Award of Excellence at the Las Olas Food and Wine Festival, in which she designed and constructed a dress made out of almonds and cotton-talk about innovation! In June of the same year she also received an Outstanding Achievement in Production Team from “A Scarlet Affair” Student Fashion Show. Maria then graduated in December, 2009 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fashion Design and received top honors having been awarded “Best Print Portfolio”.

Soon after graduation Rivas completed her first collection and started to present her collections in Fashion Shows. The very first presentation was a fashion show at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale for graduate students. Another very important and significant fashion show for her was called “The Show”. She organized ‘The Show’ with three other designer friends and the event was a huge success. The collection she produced for this well-liked show was inspired by the 40’s and 50’s Fashion trends, highlighting the waist in all of the garments. For this particular collection she used neutral colors with retro styles.

Maria designs are very versatile and her style development and her designs are strong but wearable. She states, “I actually describe my style as a very feminine casual/evening in which you can mix and match and wear anytime of the day. The most important thing is that you feel confident in what you are wearing while looking good at the same time.”