Meet Ligia Moreira

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ligia Moreira a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ligia, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

As a fashion designer, I think my resilience comes from a deep love for the craft and the constant drive to improve. The ups and downs of the industry, the challenges of bringing a vision to life—those things push me to keep going. There’s also a sense of connection with my work, like a personal mission to create something that resonates with others. I draw a lot of strength from seeing my designs come to life, even if it’s through trial and error. The constant evolution of fashion keeps me motivated, and, honestly, I think knowing that every setback can teach me something new helps me stay resilient.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Ligia has emerged from Travesia, Pto Cortes, as a Garifuna designer who comes from humble beginnings and a dream to conquer the world through and with her culture. Garifashion may come from a small village in Honduras, but it is meant to be seen, enjoyed, and worn by the world from the soul of the Garifuna Culture.

At GariFashion, we are curators of sustainable fashion, dedicated to offering a distinctive blend of original and innovative designs in the slow fashion culture. Our passion lies in providing a comprehensive line of clothing suitable for every occasion. From our meticulously crafted designs and unique fabric prints to our commitment to using high-quality materials, we pride ourselves on delivering a wardrobe that exudes sophistication and attention to detail.

Our next showcase will be in the University of Houston, the Hispanic Alumni Nerwork will presenting a fashion show to the scholarship fund awarded to the UH students.

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?

Looking back, I’d say the three things that have been most impactful in my journey as a fashion designer are:

1. Creativity and Innovation: At the heart of it all, the ability to think outside the box and constantly innovate has been a game-changer. Fashion is about pushing boundaries, and this mindset has helped me carve my own path.
2. Technical Skills: Being able to bring ideas to life through the technical aspects of design—pattern making, fabric selection, garment construction—has been crucial. Without those, the creativity wouldn’t have anywhere to live.
3. Resilience and Adaptability: The fashion industry is fast-paced, and things don’t always go as planned. The ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to new trends, and learn from every experience has helped me navigate the highs and lows.

For anyone just starting out, I’d say focus on these key areas to develop and improve:

1 Creativity and Innovation:
-Experiment: Don’t be afraid to push boundaries and try new things. Experiment with different materials, techniques, and design aesthetics. Failure or something unexpected often leads to the best breakthroughs.
-Stay Inspired: Surround yourself with inspiration—whether it’s through art, nature, travel, or other designers. Inspiration fuels creativity.
-Keep a Sketchbook: Document your ideas, whether they’re fully formed or just a rough concept. You’ll look back and see how your creative process evolves.

2-Technical Skills:
Learn the Fundamentals: Master the basics For anyone just starting out, I’d say focus on these key areas to develop and improve:

-Creativity and Innovation:
Experiment: Don’t be afraid to push boundaries and try new things. Experiment with different materials, techniques, and design aesthetics. Failure or something unexpected often leads to the best breakthroughs.
– Stay Inspired: Surround yourself with inspiration—whether it’s through art, nature, travel, or other designers. Inspiration fuels creativity.
Keep a Sketchbook: Document your ideas, whether they’re fully formed or just a rough concept. You’ll look back and see how your creative process evolves.
Technical Skills:
– Learn the Fundamentals: Master the basics first—understand garment construction, fabric properties, and pattern making. It’s like building a strong foundation before you build the rest of the house.
Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you design, the more you’ll improve. Don’t rush, take your time to refine your technique.
Seek Mentorship: Find someone with more experience who can help guide you through the technical side of things. There’s always something new to learn from others in the industry.

3- Resilience and Adaptability:
Accept Failure as Part of the Journey: Mistakes and setbacks aren’t failures; they’re lessons. Embrace them as a natural part of the creative process.
– Stay Curious: Always be open to new trends, technologies, and ways of thinking. Fashion moves quickly, and being adaptable will help you stay relevant.
– Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with people who uplift you—other designers, mentors, or even people outside the industry who understand the importance of persistence. first—understand garment construction, fabric properties, and pattern making. It’s like building a strong foundation before you build the rest of the house.
Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you design, the more you’ll improve. Don’t rush, take your time to refine your technique.
Seek Mentorship: Find someone with more experience who can help guide you through the technical side of things. There’s always something new to learn from others in the industry.
– Resilience and Adaptability:
Accept Failure as Part of the Journey: Mistakes and setbacks aren’t failures; they’re lessons. Embrace them as a natural part of the creative process.
– Stay Curious: Always be open to new trends, technologies, and ways of thinking. Fashion moves quickly, and being adaptable will help you stay relevant.
Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with people who uplift you—other designers, mentors, or even people outside the industry who understand the importance of persistence.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! I’m always open to collaboration—whether it’s with other designers, artists, or creatives from different fields. For me, collaboration is all about synergy, sharing ideas, and pushing each other’s boundaries. Here’s the kind of folks I’d love to work with:

Innovative Designers, influencers, models or Artists: People who are fearless with their creativity, who are not afraid to experiment and challenge the norm. Whether it’s someone with a fresh take on sustainable fashion, or an artist with a unique way of merging fashion with other art forms—if you’re thinking outside the box, I’d love to hear from you.

Tech and Fabric Innovators: Technology in fashion is something I’m always exploring. Whether it’s in the form of new fabrics, tech-driven design processes, or innovative ways of making fashion more sustainable, I’m looking for partners who can bring that edge to a collaboration.

Photographers, Stylists, and Visual Artists: Collaboration doesn’t just stop at design—it extends to how fashion is presented. If you have a vision for how fashion should be captured or styled, I’m all ears. I love working with people who bring a unique perspective to the visual side of things.

Collaborators with a Passion for Sustainability: With the fashion industry evolving, I’m increasingly focused on sustainability. I’d love to partner with folks who share this vision—whether it’s in materials, ethical production practices, or any innovative ways we can make fashion more responsible.

If you’re interested in collaborating, the best way to connect is through my [email/garifunafashion@gmail.com
Instagram and Facebook GARIFASHION]. I love starting conversations with like-minded creatives, and we can brainstorm ideas, share visions, and see where it takes us!

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