q&a
charisma
PREPARING FOR TAKEOFF
Up-and-coming fashion designer Maya Luz, a Barron Collier High School graduate and daughter of local artist Juliet Araujo, looks ahead to life after appearing on the Lifetime reality TV show Project Runway. We talked with the creative former Naples resident, who now lives near New York City. —Kat Smith ■ What’s your take on Southwest Florida style? It made me want to not do things like Southwest Florida. I find the styles are all very similar. People don’t really go out of the box in Naples. It’s very organized, and tropical, and light colors, and I kind of just went against all of that. ■ What inspires your designs? I take a lot of inspiration from music. I love music, especially punk rock and alternative rock ’n’ roll. People always ask me who my favorite fashion designers are, and I have ones I look up to, but I definitely look up to movie icons more, and it’s more of an attitude that I try to create. My clothing and accessories are really a lot about power and being the center of attention; just being a powerful, strong woman. I try to evoke that. ■ What’s next? I’m working on designs for a new collection that I’m doing for StyleWeek Providence. It’s a big undertaking because I’m doing all the sewing myself. I’m also doing my own bags, which I’m selling—personal sales and to a couple of boutiques. I’m doing an evening gown for [the wife of well-known New York philanthropist, Oscar Tang]. And I’m also looking for a full-time design job; I want to work for an established name. … I’m also applying for my masters in London, so whatever happens first, that’s where I’ll end up going.
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Read more about Maya Luz’s style at naplesillustrated.com.
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