New York Fashion Week 2014: Designer César Galindo's Fall 2014 Collection, "Altered States" Celebrates the Mobility of the Modern Woman
When it comes to designing clothing, you could say that Mexican-American fashion designer César Galindo has traveled in time -- for he began his career designing corsets and period costumes for The Miami City Ballet and The Houston Grand Opera.
Now, he's as modern as can be and appearing as the only U.S. Latino designer presenting at New York Mercedes Benz Fashion Fashion Week, which runs from Feb. 6-13, Fox News Latino reports.
His new Fall 2014 collection is called "Altered States," and he says "the line is meant to be as tractable as his devoted customers."
"Technology inspires mobility. The office isn't even in the office anymore for many people. I'm addressing the needs of my clients who struggle for a wardrobe as flexible as their lifestyles. We're in constant movement. It's become the DNA of our existence," he told Fox News Latino.
Galindo's spin on active-wear "offers lots of layering, with luxe hoodies, lots of outerwear and new versions of knits" using a palette of blues, greys and purples with vibrant pops of red and orange.
While Galindo, who is one of eleven children and grew up in Houston to Mexican parents, embraces his culture, he doesn't solely define himself as a Latino designer. He suggests the reason for a limited amount of Latino representation in the industry is because "we get stuck in our own barrios. We hold ourselves back. Many of us are lucky enough to extremely coddling of our families, but that can be a blessing and a curse."
At the same time, he also believes that the definition of a designer is constantly evolving, "in terms of their personal background including race or ethnicity, more Latino dynamos in fashion will begin hitting the national scene."
"Latinos bring to fashion our vivid personalities, our fearless love of color, clothing for women of all sizes, and our energetic attitudes. I represent my family every day. I love what I do," he told Fox New Latino.
How did he get his start?
In the mid-'80s, Galindo dove into the competitive fashion world and began working in the New York Garment business as a showroom manager with TSE Cashmere. From there he went on to land a design position at Carmelo Pomodoro. Galindo's first trunk show was at the renowned Martha's International on Park Avenue and was followed at New York City retail institution, Henri Bendel.
Galindo first "achieved notoriety when his washed silk kimono dress made the cover of Elle magazine, July 1993, on supermodel Karen Mulder," according to his official bio.
For over two decades, besides designing his own collection, Galindo worked as a contract designer for private clients and for established labels, such as Dolce & Gabbana, where he designed predominately for celebrities for nine years, as well as Calvin Klein and L.A.M.B., a contemporary women's collection launched by Gwen Stefani.
"In October 2011, Galindo launched CZAR by Cesar Galindo, his secondary women's collection consisting predominately of dresses and soft separate components and varied edgier statement items. CZAR offers a younger sophisticated version of his signature collection at a contemporary price point. Neiman Marcus's online store, Cusp, launched CZAR S12, with a successful overall selling performance."
In addition to Galindo's CZAR contemporary line and his couture line, Ceasar Galindo Couture, his work will soon make its way to a major department store, Fox New Latino reports. By Fall of 2014, Galindo anticipates launching a design collaboration with a huge American retail company (unfortunately he can't reval which one just yet) with a brand called "Lindo."