We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Valeria Watson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Valeria, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I grew up watching my parents give their all in everything they did.
My dad owns a company called WATCO in Mexico, where he works as an industrial engineer. My mom, on the other hand, has been a stay-at-home mom since she had her first child. Despite their very different lives—my dad working long hours and my mom dedicating herself to our family—they both always gave their best.
They showed me what it means to be fully committed. At work, my dad is completely focused, giving his full attention to every task and conversation. My mom approaches family life with the same dedication and care.
This example of dedication and attentiveness shaped my own approach to work and life.
When I decided to pursue a career in art, my parents were incredibly supportive. They encouraged me to put all my energy into what I loved. My dad always told me, “Always leave everything better than how you found it.” This advice has stuck with me. In my work, I’m constantly asking myself how I can improve, even when a piece or collection feels complete.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a multidisciplinary artist and fashion designer currently based in New York City. My work features expressive, colorful, and bold garments inspired by my Mexican-American background. Drawing from personal memories and experiences, I use illustrations and photograph-printed fabrics to tell the story of my family and myself.
I am currently in the process of producing my own clothing line, Valeria Watson, which will offer ready-to-wear garments. My intent is to start a brand that focuses on slow fashion and the concept of fashion as art.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I believe that work ethic, persistence, and surrounding myself with supportive people have been key to my journey.
Working hard is foundational in everything I do. However, persistence is equally important. For every “yes” I receive, there are usually ten “no’s” beforehand. The secret is to keep trying, pushing, and believing in yourself. And for that, you need people who will support you.
I always advise people to surround themselves with trustworthy individuals whose work they admire, who will encourage them to keep going, and who will provide honest feedback. Building a community like this helps you stay focused and encouraged.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
In my early years as a creative in the fashion industry, I handled every step of creating a garment or collection by myself. From research, sketching, pattern making, draping, cutting fabric, and sewing to directing photoshoots, I was involved in every aspect. As the years passed and the workload increased, I started hiring and collaborating with other artists.
The biggest area of growth for me has been in clear communication, a basic necessity in any field. I had to learn how to give precise instructions to sewers in both New York and Mexico. This process involved learning to articulate my ideas clearly and trusting others to execute them.
As my communication skills improved, I also learned from the people I worked with. Interestingly, whenever a sewer or pattern maker corrected me, I felt a sense of satisfaction. It reinforced the idea that working with others makes my work better than trying to do everything by myself.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.valeriawatson.com/
- Instagram: @ValeriaWatson
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/valeria-watson-479997138
Image Credits
Photo 1: Creative Set Director & Photography: Millsapp media Model: Nyedol Thor Photo 2: Creative Set Director & Photography: Millsapp media Model: Samantha Tall Photo 3: Photographer: Pirina Model: Babs Bakare Photo 4: Photographer: Tommy Wu Models: Sam Mohite Tatjana Sinkevica Kalah Christina Photo 5: Photographer: Javier Kober Model: Fernanda Alpes Photo 6: Creative Set Director & Photography: Millsapp media Model: Wendi
