Andres Biel shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Andres , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m chasing growth — each collection, each class I teach, each risk I take is about becoming a better designer, mentor and human being. If I stopped, I’d be denying myself and others the proof that reinvention is possible, even when the odds are against you.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Andres Biel, founder and creative director of IFLYUNIVERSE — a New York–based brand that fuses streetwear with luxury ready-to-wear. My collections are rooted in storytelling and resilience, inspired by my own journey and the communities I uplift. Beyond designing, I mentor young creatives at Rambler Studios at Henry Street Settlement, making IFLYUNIVERSE not just a brand, but a movement of universal beauty and reinvention.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a curious, creative kid from the Lower East Side who saw beauty in everything — sketching, making things with my hands, dreaming in color. I didn’t yet know about the limits, the rejections, or the labels; I just knew I loved creating. That pure spark of curiosity and self-expression is still at the heart of who I am today and what drives IFLYUNIVERSE.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power when I created my first full collection, Rebirth. Up until then, my struggles felt like something to keep quiet about. But designing that collection — moving from white to black to red — was the first time I turned my experiences into something beautiful and tangible. That process showed me that my pain could be fuel, and that sharing my story through fashion could give others permission to transform theirs too.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
The ideas I rely on most come from my partner, Jonathan. He’s the one person I trust fully to give me honest feedback, whether it’s about my designs, my brand, or even my personal growth. His perspective keeps me grounded, inspired, and focused — and having that kind of support makes all the difference in how I move forward.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m having time for myself — whether it’s sitting by the water, rewatching my favorite shows, or diving into a book after a great workout. Sewing quietly at home or simply walking around the city and admiring the views also gives me that same calm. Those moments of solitude recharge me and remind me that peace can be found in the simple, everyday things.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iflyuniverse.com
- Instagram: Ifly.universe_
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