Hi friends!
I’m back with my monthly “tell me more” series! Today I’ll be featuring a very special lady boss – Tairis Santana is a fashion designer based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Tairis and I have known each other for quite some time and I’ve had the honor to witness her growth both personally and professionally. Her passion for fashion is so inspiring – when you meet her in person, you are in awe of how hard she works. I hope today’s feature motivates you to go after your dreams no matter what stands in the way!! 🙂
1. What do you do for a living?
I am a fashion designer. I create custom-designs for clients for special occasions such as weddings, prom, birthdays and sweet 16. Currently working on launching my first ready-to-wear collection and online store in September 2017.
2. What’s an average day for you?
I want to start by saying that I’m NEVER resting. Once I finish one task I move onto the next. For example, I can start my day off fabric shopping in the city, then come back to the office and begin sewing. Next I’ll work on my sketches for my upcoming fashion show, then finish my night replying to emails. I hardly rest, and not because I can’t, but mostly because I know time is money and every second counts in order to make my dreams come true.
3. What are some things you’ve had to give up in order to work hard to make it?
I am 27 years young and I still live with my parents in order to start my own business. I believe that in itself is a huge sacrifice. No one wants to depend on their parents at this day in age, but i knew it was one of the the sacrifices I had to make in order to pursue my dreams. Also quitting my job was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. My dream was always to graduate college and land an amazing 9-5 corporate job, working for a multi-millionaire designer, and I was able to accomplish that – but I was extremely unhappy. I realized it’s now or never, so decided to take that risk now.
4. Do you have a specific cause/charity you advocate for and care about?
I’m currently researching different charities I would love to help and support but for now I really want to embrace women empowerment. With everything that’s happening politically, I believe it’s important that we as women encourage one another and stick together rather then drag each other down. Everyone is beautiful in their own special way and I really want to embrace that throughout my collection. When women wear my pieces I want them feel strong, sexy, independent and empowering.
5. What is one piece of advice you want to tell girls today.
It doesn’t matter what the girl next door is doing, and what you can do to compete with her. What matters is what truly makes you happy. With all this social media and viewing of celebs all the time, women are easily discouraged and don’t feel beautiful or good enough. And I think we all need to learn to disconnect and realize pictures can be deceiving and images aren’t always what they seem. At the end of the day, no one is perfect. Find your passion and push for your dreams and just focus on YOU. We are all beautiful powerful women. So lets stick together and make success happen!
6. Describe your fashion style?
I love a mixture of edgy with classy. So, I try my best to focus on creating classic pieces with an edgy twist to it. Love the idea of pairing a strong piece with a soft and delicate garment. For example, I’d pair up a biker jacket with a silk dress. I’m obsessed with nudes and earth tones for my color palette. I believe it’s important for my costumers to know they can wear these pieces five years down the line and not just once. I want my women to feel sexy yet elegant and classy.
7. What’s your favorite city? and why?
I’m a new york city girl. Not that I haven’t been anywhere else, but living here my whole life, I can’t see myself loving any other place. I’m used to the noisy and busy/crowded streets. Being born and raised here, I’m always moving 100 miles per sec. Besides the madness I just love how there’s always something to do, something to explore. It’s the city that never sleeps! New york city gives me so much inspiration, from the people that live in it to the architecture around me. What’s not to love!?
8. Most inspiring book you’ve ever read?
Sadly, I have yet to read a good book that has inspired me. I mainly read documentaries/ articles about current events or politics. My schedule makes it difficult to take time out to read. But if anyone has any recommendations, please feel free to share!
9. Where do you get your daily inspiration from?
It’s hard to say. Every inspiration comes from a different place. I think mainly what inspires me is the street wear from different countries such as Japan and Milan. I love how free and daring they are at styling their pieces. They are not afraid to think outside the box, which is what I try to bring into my designs. I’m also influenced a lot by nature elements. I love the colors of nature – we don’t appreciate the beauty it brings at times. Honestly, my color palettes are mostly inspired by nature.
10. Three words to describe you.
Passionate, driven and kind-hearted