Meet Andres Biel

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andres Biel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Andres, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?

Self-care plays a huge role n my effectiveness as a designer. I intentionally carve out time to ground myself mentally, emotionally, and physically so I can stay aligned with my creative vision. My mornings often begin with breath work, intention setting, and journaling, to process emotions and spark new ideas. Fitness, especially through my personal “IFLYINTENTION” routine, has become essential- it’s where I release, recharge, and reconnect with my purpose. As a designer who creates from lived experience, self-care isn’t just rest- it’s a structure that fuels my evolution. It allows me to show up more focused, inspired, and present-whether I’m constructing garments, teaching youth, or telling a story through each collection. When I’m in alignment, my work reflects that.

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

I am a native New Yorker, self-taught designer, and founder of IFLYUNIVERSE-a high-end streetwear brand that fuses ready-to-wear with deep storytelling. Every collection I create is rooted in personal experience, cultural influence, and emotional truth. IFLYUNIVERSE isn’t just about clothing-it’s about reminding people that they belong, that they’re seen, and that their story has power. What excites me most about being a designer is the ability to transform emotion into fashion-to take moments of pain, joy, or transformation and turn them into garments that speak louder than words. Whether it’s a look that walks on the runway, a piece worn in the streets, or something that empowers a young person in my class room, my goal is to leave people feeling more connected to themselves. Through my work, I want readers to know that IFLYUNIVERSE represents more then style-it’s a movement rooted in resilience, love, and the belief that when you with intention, anything is possible.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, vision, and a deep hunger to learn. Resilience kept me going when doors closed-like when I didn’t get into the degree program at FIT or when I was figuring out how to sew on my own. Vision allowed me to see beyond my circumstances and believe in the world I was building through IFLYUNIVERSE. And that hunger to learn pushed me to take classes, study under mentors, and constantly sharpen my craft. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say this: don’t wait for permission to start. Stay curious, stay consistent, and be willing to fail forward. Learn from everywhere-YouTube, mentors, life itself. And most importantly. Trust that your story matters. The things you think make you different are probably the very things that will make your work unforgettable

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was be there for me in the journey I am in now. They’ve shown up to my fashion shows, supported me financially when I needed it, and shared stories of their own creativity when they were younger- stories that helped me feel seen and connected to something bigger. Growing up, I witnessed both the beauty and the struggle of survival. My parents taught me resilience by example. Making something out of nothing and never giving up. That energy became the foundation of my creative spirit. My mom, especially always reminded me that I had a light, and that belief carried me through moments when I couldn’t see it myself. Their presence in my life now-not just as parents but as believers in my vision-means everything. IFLYUNIVERSE was built from that, love, that hustle, and that legacy of creativity.