It’s the “excuse me while I kiss the sky” ambition and “anything is possible” optimism that has enabled local designer Abigail de Casanova to shun the naysayer and passionately pursue her love of fashion in a slow-to-shift, quasi-fashion friendly metropolis. Meeting Abigail was reminiscent of chancing upon the BFF you had in high school but somehow lost touch with. There was an immediate ease and welcoming rapport that repeatedly jeered me to think that we’d grown up in the same neighborhood.

The charming Peruvian born designer began making clothes at the age of 13 on a sewing machine that her grandmother, whom she sites as one of her greatest inspirations, gave her for her birthday. “She was so poised and put together...always seeing what’s good. She appreciated the simple things in life.” Years later, Abigail still uses that same machine given to her by her grandmother, constructing and imbuing a piece of history into every design, giving each one its own story.

Abigail began her career as a make-up artist for high-end cosmetic lines such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Shiseido, and NARS; and furthered her studies in beauty artistry by attending Graham Webb Academy of hair, where she was recognized and awarded for her originality and creativity.

Now Abigail is the owner of Abigail de Casanova Studio, a successful clothing, jewelry and handbag line, and founder of the DC Fashionistas, a group dedicated to supporting the art of fashion in D.C. Recently, Abigail de Casanova Studio had the opportunity to display and have their products included in the “coveted” celebrity gift bags at the MTV Video Music Awards.

[I get inspiration] from so many places - traveling and especially where I come from,” she acutely reflects. “I remember traits - how they live with so little, but they are so happy. I love my county and I love this country for giving me opportunities that I may not have had.”

Her appreciation has extended far beyond working persistently to actualize her own accomplishments into using her success and insight to help support other designers. Noting the lack of support for indie fashion designers in D.C., Abigail started the DC Fashionistas in 2006, a group where everyone from the seasoned designer to the style crazed could connect and network with other local fashion artists and devotees.

“I remember going from Miami to New York doing shows with my team and never feeling the need to stop in D.C. - because there was no structure here for us artists. There was nothing going on. I felt lonely and I wanted other people I could talk to and relate to. I was a member of a previous group that was supposed to be for fashion insiders but organizer stepped down and no one wanted to step up to keep it going, so it closed. After that, [I started thinking about] starting my own. I thought about it, dreamed about it and finally, my father said ‘just do it’ – and so I did.”

Currently in it’s second year, the DC Fashionistas group has billowed to 827 members and consummated numerous high profile successes, including the Fashion Rally in Freedom Square to push for the creation of the Commission on Fashion Arts and Events to resonate the importance of supporting D.C.'s fashion design community; members Pria and Iliad created a documentary entitled Fashion for Development, an initiative that was recently presented at the World Bank; and member Ana Maria Lawson went on to win Miss Maryland Teen 2008 and will be working the runways at NY Fashion Week in February.

Abigail is now working with the D.C. Council to instate an incubator program that will enable up and coming designers to obtain retail space at apportioned rates, and making preparations to begin holding marketing and PR seminars to help emerging designers avoid the “starving artist” cliché that so many talents fall into.

“I don’t think indie designers get enough support locally; but I think it goes both ways. Right now there is a lack of information for designers. Many don’t have the knowledge or resources to put together a press kit to present to boutiques or a web site that gives a professional image. Just because you can design, doesn’t mean you have the business sense to market yourself.”

Even with the success of project DC Fashionistas, Abigail hasn’t lost sight of her first love – fashion design. “I would feel so empty if I didn’t have this [fashion] in my life,” she adoringly affirmed. A devoted fan of trendy vintage garb, Abigail’s designs can be described as a beautiful blend of 50s and 60s-enthused shapes with contemporary Latin-inspired embellishments.

“I’m not a jeans and t-shirts kind of girl. I love colorful stuff. [People who are drawn to my designs] “travel a lot and enjoy pieces that are one of a kind. They’re looking for something different – something that has a history.” Her own cherished piece of history – a pair of bright blue vintage Yves St. Laurent python pumps. “I just love them. I will never get rid of them.”

Photos: www.abigaildecasanova.com

Shown (clockwise): Cindy Blue Vintage Slip Dress and Jhazmin Vintage Necklace (top right); The Valverde Bag (right); Farrah 1970s Sequined Vintage Top, 1960s Paola Coat, and Soon-Yi Kimono Top (bottom right); The Indigo Bag (bottom left); Selam Jewelry Set, Odessa Vintage Necklace, Luana Vintage Necklace, Hasana Beaded Vintage Top (top left)

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