GLOBAL YOUNG TALENT 2021: JASEY VELAZQUEZ | HEAVILY FOCUSING ON FETISH FASHION

Jasey Velazquez’s collection was inspired by the ambience of city nightlife. This collection was conceptualized during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic while Jasey lived in a dead New York City. City Lights is a collection that pulls inspiration from the nostalgia of pre- pandemic life and socialisation that we lacked during this time. As of recently her beautiful designs were featured in the October issue of the Harper’s Bazaar UK. Have a look yourself and read the full article to discover more!

We would love to know more about yourself and your collection. Would you mind letting us know what made you become a fashion Apparel designer?

Growing up, I have always loved art and fashion. My mother would tell me stories about when I was a toddler and my obsession for anything Tommy Hilfiger. I would not wear an outfit if it didn’t have the iconic red, white, and blue logo on it! When I was eight, I taught myself how to sew by hand and slowly began designing rough sketches. Once I got my sewing machine, I picked up on apparel making and decided fashion design was my life’s calling.

It sounds very inspiring! You have gone long way since the sewing machine, where do you see yourself in the close future? What are your main goals you want to achieve?

Once I complete my thesis collection in Intimate Apparel design, I would love to work in the industry as a lingerie designer. My main goal as a designer is to merge fetish wear with fashion and create designs that are sexy, playful, and create a starting point for those interested in the world of kink who don’t know where to begin.

My main goal as a designer is to merge fetish wear with fashion

Could you share with us what is your main inspiration while creating and what keeps you going?

My main inspiration is the process of creating. I’m constantly learning new techniques and finding materials that inspire me to make what I design. The creation of a garment itself is an art form in and of itself, and ironically, it is often overlooked by designers. I love the feeling I get after I complete a piece. There is a sense of pride that comes from looking at each finished garment and getting to say ‘I made that!’. To create something beautiful from my own hands is what keeps me going.

There is a sense of pride that comes from looking at each finished garment and getting to say ‘I made that!'.

How do you find the materials you are working with and what is the main factor while picking them?

I am very lucky to be located in NYC because most of my materials come from the Garment District! There are stores that specialize in anything you could possibly need and it’s very easy to spend hours shopping in the District. Almost every trip I make to the Garment District, I leave with something that I will use in upcoming projects, even if I went to just look. I take the time to really examine materials and will make sure they are the perfect weight and quality for the project that I am working on.

Would you mind telling us what is the most special thing within your designs and how would you desire to be pictured in your customers minds? What would you as an artists as well as your garment pieces would you want to be associated with?

Intimate Apparel is a special area of design itself, its sole purpose is to make the wearer feel strong and powerful in little to nothing. Even in the bare minimum coverage that lingerie offers, I want my customers to feel confident and sexy in their bodies! Whether they are wearing it for their partners, or going out for the night, I want my customer to feel like the baddest b**** in the room. At the end of the day, I want to be associated with the feeling my customers get while wearing my lingerie: the complete confidence of sexiness. I want to create a safe and welcoming environment through my clothing that allows people the space to experiment with sexuality while feeling their best.

I want to create a safe and welcoming environment through my clothing that allows people the space to experiment with sexuality while feeling their best.

Discover Jasey Velazquez full collection

Words by Katarzyna Korcz