Interviewed by Holmag.INC

The Fabulous Myka! We are so excited to interview you and hear all about your story. First, tell us about yourself. Have you always had the desire to be in fashion when you were in your native land? 

My name is Myka and I’m originally from the Philippines. I moved to Miami, FL in 2017. I am currently studying fashion design at Miami Fashion Institute and I am really loving it. Aside from fashion being my passion, it also helps me express myself better. 

Since I was a kid, I always loved to draw/sketch and make dresses for barbies. I also collected fashion magazines when I was in high school. I am really fascinated by models wearing clothes made by famous designers like Zac Posen, Bob Mackie, Alexander McQueen, and Thierry Mugler. 

Who influences you? Where do you pull inspiration from? 

I adore creations made by Filipino designers like Michael Cinco, Francis Libiran, Leo Almodal, Mark Bumgarner, and Cary Santiago. While other designers like Zac Posen, Versace, and Giambattista Valli also give me inspiration for making my pieces. 

What else do you do outside of fashion that may surprise people? 

Aside from attending fashion school, I also work in healthcare as a Medical Project Coordinator. I am also an advocate for HIV prevention, which I created an ad campaign for. I also played a part in a movie on Amazon Prime titled “Secret Society 2: Never Enough.” 

Do you design/style yourself for the sets or do you have a personal stylist? (It’s nice to sit back and be pampered sometimes.) 

Yes, I have a personal stylist and assistant which was hired by production for the film. It was an awesome experience; however, I’m not used to having someone doing everything for me like strapping my shoes or even getting me water. All they said was to just sit back like a queen (laughs) because it doesn’t happen every day. 

You’re still in college, correct? How do you find time to juggle everything you do? 

I’m not going to lie, it’s hard! Having a professional career in the medical field and studying at the same time is not a joke. But if you know how to manage your time, then everything is doable. Call me ‘old-school,’ but I still use a planner/journal instead of my phone. I like to write things down for my daily plan so I can remember them, then save it on my phone. 

After graduation, do you see yourself working independently in the industry or for a design company/brand? 

I would like to work with famous fashion brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain, Gucci, and Zuhair Murad to gain more experience and knowledge when it comes to the fashion industry. Although, I also want to work independently and create my own name in the future. 

Have you had any instances where you felt unsupported in the industry or in your community? 

I remember when I was young a friend told me that I was not going to make it in this industry because of competition like big names in fashion. I was hurt by that comment, but I didn’t allow it to affect me and stop me from doing what I really love. The rest is history. All I can say is that I am starting to live my dream, and nobody can’t take that away from me. 

Any negative experiences in the industry? What did you learn from it? 

Not negative, necessarily, but just an observation. I am not very active on social media, but sometimes seeing similar design ideas brought to life by other designers makes me wonder if I should post more of my own pieces on social media. I don’t feel bad about it, rather, I feel flattered that we have the same creative mind as designers. 

What would you advise other emerging designers to do based on that experience? 

My only advice to other aspiring designers is to not stop doing what brings you joy and happiness. Don’t allow the negative energy of others to define you as an individual. Use the criticism as fuel to keep you going until you achieve your goals. 

What are your greatest memories from designing? 

My most memorable moment from designing was the first day of class when I entered the room, I took a deep breath and thought “this is it.” I will start my lifelong dream to be a fashion designer. I met Professor Lafrance, who taught me so much about patternmaking and garment construction. I owe her everything. I can’t believe that I have the skills to create something out of my imagination! 

Have you designed pieces for any celebrities or local names in South Florida? 

To be honest, I am nervous to do that. Maybe because I am afraid of criticism. I have even turned down clients a couple of times. My reason was that I was not ready and was still in school. However, I realized if I will not try now, then when? As they say, we need to face our fears. (laughs) I think I am getting there now, if I stumble across people that want to wear my pieces, I will be more than happy to make one for them. 

Do you want to remain a local designer or branch out? 

Miami has been my home since I moved here from my country, but I would like to explore other states or cities where I can express myself more as a designer. I would love to open a fashion business in the Philippines so I can have a team of people who know more about the history and culture of my country because I want to incorporate that more in my designs. 

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

In the next five years, I see myself having grown as a person and learned from all my experiences; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I can see myself having my own name in the fashion industry and use it as a platform to inspire and empower others. 

If you were meeting your mentor in a fashion setting, what would you wear? 

Of course, my own creation! (laughs) If I wore someone else’s design, I would love to wear pieces by Zuhair Murad or Michael Cinco. 

Do you have a website where we might find your gorgeous designs? 

I don’t have any domain yet, because I want to study the process of creating websites for my designs more. Once I have one running, you will be the first to know. 

What are your social media handles? 

Instagram: @ms.osorio21 

Facebook: @ Myka Osorio