Meet Miranda Marti

Today we’d like to introduce you to Miranda Marti.

Hi Miranda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Miranda and I’m an artist and fashion designer based in Cleveland, Ohio. My interest in art sparked at a really young age. There were a lot of artists and musicians in our family. My grandmother was a successful businesswoman in the fashion industry and it was her story that inspired me to follow in her footsteps.

I studied fashion design at a small school here in Cleveland called Virginia Marti College of Art and Design that focused on traditional haute couture methods of garment-making. It was a tight-knit community with brilliant educators and the courses were quick and intensive. I was able to learn how to sketch, hand-draft pattens, drape, sew and fit on a live model in just over two years.

After I finished at VMCAD, I worked in bridal and then for Great Lakes Theater and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. My time at the theater was pure joy that brought me a new appreciation for the preforming arts. I loved being a part of the hidden chaos of dressing the actors backstage and also working in costume production with the design team.

In 2016 I moved to France to work as an au pair. My ultimate goal was to continue my studies in fashion design and learn about haute couture in the modern world. The school I wanted to attend was taught entirely in French, and living with a French family was a great way to learn the language fast. After applying to several schools and getting some rejections, I finally got an acceptance letter to École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne (now l’Institut Français de la Mode) and enrolled for the following semester.

I was working with young, genius designers who could effortlessly create the most wild and innovative pieces. I felt pressure to experiment with new techniques and really push my creative boundaries. It was liberating to be surrounded by so many incredible artists with big dreams who supported each other through the storm. My professors were hard to impress but gave me invaluable advice that I still carry with me.

The decision to start my own business came in August of 2020. To beat the heatwave, I made a linen two-piece lounge set to wear around my apartment since we didn’t have an air conditioner. After sharing some photos, I received inquiries to make it for a few friends of mine. In April of 2021, I officially launched my website, and the Mary Kay Laze Set was my best seller.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My business is still very young and also a side hustle, so it’s been a struggle balancing my full-time job as I nurture the growth of my company.

I would have to say the greatest challenge so far was making my dream of studying fashion in Paris a reality. It took a lot of patience to learn a second language, but living with a French family was such a gift and an experience I’ll never forget. Attending fashion school at both VMCAD and Chambre Syndicale was a beautiful, chaotic adventure that really pushed me creatively and emotionally.

I would have never gotten past my first sewing class without the help of my family. I’m thankful to be surrounded by people who have supported my work and believed that I had a future in this career.

It’s been a challenge to find ways to get my art out into the world, but I’m confident that Cleveland is where I need to be right now. I love my home and Cleveland has so much potential. The community is strong and vibrant and incredibly supportive of the arts and small businesses. I want to make my city proud and it nourishes me to create beautiful things in a place where at times I feel so conflicted.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I design anything from evening wear to custom loungewear, and I specialize in working with natural, delicate materials. I especially enjoy creating pieces that are cut on the bias because it allows me to experiment with different volumes and has a beautiful effect on lightweight fabrics.

Each garment is one-of-a-kind, and I draft, cut and sew all the patterns myself. I want my clients to feel like they found a treasure that was made for them. I compare it to the way you might feel when you score an incredible vintage piece that fits your shape perfectly. I also love seeing my clients develop a curiosity and appreciation for the clothing throughout the building process when working on custom pieces.

I love incorporating hand-sewn details in my designs. Sewing by hand is like therapy to me. It’s a much slower process, but it really makes me feel connected with my creations. Hand-sewn clothing is a dwindling art that I want to preserve. In a world where everything is so disposable, I feel it’s important to show the care and precision that goes into the clothes we wear.

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
When I first started my career, I was so afraid of failing. It was hard for me to step out of my comfort zone because I worried that the work I was pouring my heart into would be less than perfect. This strive for perfection has held me back from many valuable experiences, and even now I struggle with this when starting a new project.

Every triumphant moment in my career, big or small, started out as a huge question of ‘what if?’ I would have never known my true capabilities unless I learned to let go and trust the skill and knowledge I was given. It’s important to welcome failure as much as success because you learn so much more when you fail, and it certainly makes for a more interesting story.

When I create without boundaries, that’s when I am happiest with the finished product because I know that I didn’t hold myself back in fear.

So yes, I encourage anyone to take the risk because this is what makes your journey exciting. And it’s always okay to ask for help along the way. You’ll be surprised by how many people are willing to offer a helping hand.

Contact Info:

• Website: mirandalynaemarti.com
• Instagram: mirandalynaemarti
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlmarti/