SEZ is a Prêt-à-Couture brand known for its innovative use of textile manipulation and handcrafted pleating techniques, drawing inspiration from architectural forms, organic motifs, and a purist aesthetic. Merging craftsmanship with dynamic movement and structural design, SEZ creates timeless, sculptural pieces that transcend traditional fashion boundaries in both form and function.
"We want our garments to prevail over time, which is why we create timeless pieces in both style and color."
How do you stay up-to-date with fashion trends?
We actually don’t follow trends as a brand. I think it’s just overwhelming how everything changes so fast—we’ve come to the point where nothing satisfies us anymore. As an independent brand, chasing after trends is impossible since we launch only one collection per year, which takes around six months to create. We want our garments to prevail over time, which is why we create timeless pieces in both style and color.
How do you balance creativity with wearability in your designs?
This has been a huge lesson throughout the five years since we started the brand. When you're in fashion school, you're very creative and make crazy stuff, but those garments are not always wearable—which means you can’t sell them. I had to learn, as a designer, how to stay true to my DNA while creating pieces that people can actually wear on an everyday basis. Working on the brand's size chart has been the most challenging part, since every body is different. But I think in recent years, we've learned which pieces from the collections work best and now use those as a foundation.
How do you handle the business side of fashion design?
The reality behind running a fashion brand is that I’m more of a businesswoman than a designer—which sometimes makes me a bit sad, since designing is my favorite part. But making a fashion brand successful involves so much more than just creating beautiful designs. There are so many aspects behind the scenes that I had to learn in the beginning. I’m the designer, the pattern maker, the seamstress, the accountant, the marketing department—everything. You have to know a little bit about every area to make it work. But every step of the journey is fascinating, and seeing how the brand is growing and expanding is incredibly rewarding.
How do you stay inspired?
Inspiration comes from everywhere. I live in one of the most fascinating countries in the world—Ecuador—where there is inspiration all around. Of course, there are times when you can’t feel inspired, but sometimes it strikes when you least expect it: during a visit to a museum, a chat with friends, a walk in nature, reading a book, or even a simple emotion.
What's the most challenging aspect of being a fashion designer?
Living in such a globalized world has its pros and cons. We’re lucky to be so connected, which makes growing as a brand much easier, but at the same time, there’s so much going on that it’s not easy at all. For me, the most challenging part is sourcing the materials to create our collections, since we have to import everything—this also limits our creativity. But I truly believe that if you have a great product, a clear vision, and love what you’re doing, things will turn out just as you planned—with perseverance and a lot of hard work.
What's your design philosophy?
As a designer, I have always been fascinated by the art of pure design. I want people to fall in love with our pieces. I want your SEZ piece to be your favorite item in your wardrobe—the one you're excited to wear and the one you take care of.
I’ve always wondered how my grandma’s clothes still look like they were just bought, even though they’re over 50 years old. The materials and construction of garments were something else back then. I want to bring that back. I believe that when you truly love and care for something, you appreciate it that much more.
That’s why, as a brand, we create limited collections. We take our time to craft them, and we want our clients to be part of that journey.
Who are your design influences?
Cristóbal Balenciaga will always be my favorite designer of all time. He created garments that no one understands how he made, even to this day. His essence, his way of creating, and the fact that he stayed true to himself and his philosophy—even when society told him otherwise—have always made me admire him.
