I am an independent Fashion Designer from Austin, Texas.  I was raised in Atlanta, GA and started designing clothes at the age of 15.  My mother is a seamstress, and would work with me to start creating my own designs in high school.  I then attended Bauder Collage in Atlanta and was schooled the technicalities of the fashion industry.  After some time in college in Georgia, I moved to Austin and then traveled to the West Coast.  I attended the local community college, Monterey Peninsula College, and took some patterns and alterations classes.  I have now been diligently producing my own fashion shows for the last 5 years.  I have produced fashion shows in Georgia, California, and many here in Austin, Texas.

I work toward creating classy attire for men and women, and have done a great deal of costume/custom piece work.

The style of my most recent work has been a type of "bohemian meets vintage", but I prefer to create based on my mood of the day, the time of year, or the colors and patterns that have inspired me along my life. I tend to treat my creations like pieces of artwork, each unique and stand alone.

I would say that the defining characteristic of my work is "pragmatism".

Each piece is designed to suit the basic needs of the wearer without being cumbersome, but is also stylish at the same time.

I challenge myself to design work to be synonymous with style, simplicity, and uniqueness.

I have currently been doing a lingerie and bloomers line, however, will be branching out to make cotton tee-shirts and screen printed dresses soon.

I am the official fashion designer for the massiveblack.com and conceptart.org art community.  Below is the event we recently produced together:

Imaginations! SXSW Spring '09 Fashion Show (Sponsored by massiveblack.com, conceptart.org, and SXSW):

http://conceptart.org/imaginations/

Here is the video:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=138058926136&ref=mf

I am one of the main Fashion Design Supporters for the Longhorn Model Fashion Show '09:

http://www.longhornmodel.com/Supporters.html

I won the Best Fashion Designer award for Austin’s Most Fashionable with FABRICATION 6 in November of '08:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=27335402&blogId=452372426

I am a large supporter for local artistry, and spend a great deal of time working with others in the creative industry.  I previously did a lot of promotion and work to support Austin Handmade (Which closed at the end of Oct. sadly)

I do sell all my stuff on Etsy.com here:

http://lovesmariessa.com/

If you're a model, photographer, hair and make up artist, or just a creative person in the industry that would like to work with me, here is how I usually work.

Photographers -  If you want to shoot some of my pieces, that is great!  I am usually into it, however, there are some stipulations:

A.  I need copies of the photos.  Email and CD is fine.

B.  Please make sure you try to capture some good shots of the garments for me in your photo session. (For example, the back of the garment, and close detailing of craftsmanship you notice).  Of course I don't expect all your photos to be of close details of the garment, but just one or two would be lovely.

C.  I will not be able to attend most shoots.  You're welcome to set up a shoot with me and my garments at any time though.  I also model, and have lots of experience in the industry.

With that said, I generally trust the models and photographers that I work with to come by and go through the current collection that I have to choose what they would like to shoot.  You're more than welcome to take whatever you want to shoot with you, but I just request that you return the items in good condition and on or before the return date listed on the contract.

NEW IN AFFECT FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:
I am now requiring that all photographers sign a contract upon the release of my garments to them, along with a deposit of the price of the garment(s) they intend to shoot.  You will receive the deposit back upon return of the garment(s) on or before the return date listed on the contract you sign.  If you would rather set up a shoot with me and have me model a garment of my own, I will, of course, not require a deposit or signed contract.

Models -  I am always pleased at every opportunity I have to work with you.  I'm always in need of models for Fashion Shows that I throw, and even the rare photo shoot that I set up.  Here are requirements that I hold for my models:

A.  The shows that I throw are usually pretty big and require a lot of models.  Please do not be offended if I forget your name or get you mixed up with someone else.  It is never anything personal, its just a hectic time.  Nevertheless, the more I get to know you and work with you, that will be less likely to happen.

B.  On that last note, please try to stand out!  Your individuality and uniqueness is key in being a good model.

C. Please do not back talk me.

D. Do not flake.  If you flake on me once, I will not work with you again. No exceptions.

E.  Do not alter the look of my garment.  The way I dress you in it for the fitting is the way it should look for the runway show.  Do not try to accessorize it with a belt, knee highs, pull it off the shoulder (when its not meant to be pulled off the shoulder).  You get the idea.

F.  Be on time.

G.  Please have a good attitude at all time.  Some examples would be:

-  Sometimes shows run late (sometimes a lot later than normal), please don't gripe.  That is the way this industry works. 

-  If I put you in something you don't like, act like you love it.  You're representing me and my work.  People notice when you don't like what you're wearing, so just fake it.

Now, for any other creative people that would like to work with me -

A.  Email me with your IDEAS!  [email protected]

Thank you for checking out my Model Mayhem profile, and I look forward to meeting you!

Loves,
Mariessa

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