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Shantal Mendez, a young and fresh local talent, remembers being introduced to the exciting field of fashion from an early age. After leaving Mandeville to pursue her studies at the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts, she soon realized that there were many layers to the creative genre and decided to abandon her initial plans of fashion design and sew her way her to become a designer.
“Being from Mandeville, the only thing I really heard about was fashion design. I didn’t know there were so many layers to the art form. When I got to Kingston and started going to Edna, I opened up to the idea of styling, just to see if I would be good at it,” said the graduate. Living.
It seemed to be a hit with those she had the chance to influence and it gave her a great sense of pride and fulfillment to create a complete look from nothing and make it into anything wonderful.
“Fashion means expressing yourself in a unique way. Like a painter picking up his brushes and putting his heart on the canvas, that’s how I feel when I’m doing my thing in styling. I feel like I’m bringing my heart to the pieces I’m styling,” said Mendez.
In fashion since 2012, Mendez, who goes by the name LuMarve, began her professional journey in 2018. However, there was a side of her that has been doing this her whole life. She took a break in 2019 when she gave birth to her daughter and had every intention of returning, until COVID-19 came along and changed the world as we all know it forever.
So far, the young designer has worked with recording artists Joby Jay, Johnmark Wiggan and Cherine Anderson, as well as individual customers who aren’t up for shopping or looking to jazz things up for a special occasion. In terms of collaboration, she has joined creative forces with photographers Rachel Connery and Keniel Peart.
“My artistic process starts with a consultation; getting a sense of what they like, their style and comforts, the colors they feel comfortable working with. Then I go ahead and do some research to find the style that best suits the mission; that comes with a mood board,” she said. Next comes her favorite part: shopping.
From there, it will go into putting everything together. She has actually gone on to do some creative directing for photo shoots.
When asked to weigh in on some of the trends that have been resurfacing in recent years, Mendez provided some insight by sharing her list of emerging styles. This includes, but is not limited to, bomber jackets, sweater tops (regardless of the weather), knitwear, chunky jackets and bucket hats.
“I remember wearing chunky loafers when I was in primary school. And I’m here for that. I like it. Crochet has really grown and taken over. I feel like it’s always been there, but now it’s huge. Bomber jackets have made a comeback, and sweaters, whatever the weather. I’m not a fan of bucket hats, but they are making a comeback. I would wear them; how they are styling them nowadays is beautiful”, she said.
Her foray into the industry, she says, has been a blessing in disguise. The lack of information provided by people known in the field may have worried her, but it did not prevent her from forging her own path. In fact, the judging process gave him more motivation to apply himself. While undertaking her mission, this agent was able to learn many tips and tricks along the way, gaining a greater appreciation for growth and knowing her worth.
With the world now reopened, Mendez hopes to see greater success. “My advice to those looking to discover their style is to be authentic in who you are. If you like something, wear it. It can become your style without being in or out of trend.”
krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com
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