Wendy Sandoval
D E S I G N E R
“I love to dress women for all the contours they enjoy. The task to fit such a frame is difficult work but to compliment it in a way that encourages a woman to be confident because she’s comfortable is a greater challenge which I try to achieve with my designs. I incorporate feminine features which I hope thrill women enough to flaunt their gown. It’s not often that one get to wear such luxurious fabrics, so when I have the opportunity to design such a piece, I like to create something that would be enjoyable to wear, as well as lovely.
Many times, femininity is translated through certain fabrics like lace or silk but, I’m more interested in creating this feeling by the use of silhouettes, style lines and layers. When combined correctly, the finished creation is a wonderful piece that is desirable to wear.”
“The best experience I have been through is having the opportunity to fulfill a collection that was all my own. However, trusting my intuition and aesthetics was a challenge because it was my first trial and hesitation and uncertainty stepped in to knock my confidence. Nevertheless, when I encountered the situation which forced me to reconsider my approach, I forced myself to work through the struggle because I loved my design! And doing anything differently was going to become something previously seen, a mere duplicate, which is something I was not having my designs become. When I finally overcame this challenge, I could have burst into a million pieces over excitement and pride. It was everything I envisioned and the spectators loved it!
Had I not followed through as I initially planned, this collection would have lacked personality and definitely some charisma. That’s what made it striking!”
"By the time senior year arrived, I had acquired many techniques that allowed me to approach my collection with gusto! Many of these new talents were often acquired only after producing a mess of things but, I also learned “what not to do” from working along with such a large group of designers. Their mistakes and breakthroughs were also my own. And it was during this pre-senior year, that advice was picked up and understood to be the greatest and most valuable piece of knowledge. I learned that any amount of time put into a piece was only worth it if an equal amount of time was spent developing the foundation and under layers of a garment, to carry the proper structure to a finished piece.
This type of approach has become natural in all elements of design work which I produce. It’s about preparation, using the best materials and tools, and understanding what is required to fulfill my designs and collection with beautiful, structural elements.”