We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katherina Feliciano. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katherina below.
Katherina, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
My life’s purpose is defined by resilience,the constant, deliberate act of getting back up, mirroring the enduring spirit captured in “The Myth of Sisyphus”. This resolve was forged in hardship.
In 2014, just days before Thanksgiving, I lost my home. What followed was a demanding period: eighteen months in a shelter, capped by a difficult choice in 2016. Despite having just accelerated through my Associate’s degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), I was told by Path that I was too old to move with my family to a new shelter and would have to go to a women’s facility. As a dedicated, full-time student managing a grueling schedule at FIT, this was not feasible. I accepted the challenge, telling my mother, “I’ll figure it out.”
For the next two years, while immersed in my studies at FIT, I navigated housing instability, moving from place to place. Yet, by 2018, I secured my own home. By 2019, I had interned at Garo Sparo, was subsequently hired, and graduated with my Bachelor’s degree. My family instilled in me the unwavering principle that every obstacle is simply a problem to be solved, not a reason to quit.
This unyielding drive is what brought me here today. My purpose is to perpetually move forward, and it is the foundation upon which I am building my brand, aspiring for it to become bigger and better.
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?
Kaciano Atelier is an independent, Hispanic-owned couture house specializing in exquisite, made-to-order lingerie and swimwear. Operating from the Bronx, New York, our designs fuse the intricate techniques of French couture with a sophisticated, classy goth aesthetic.
Our signature collection, “Dark Romance”, embodies this unique fusion. Each piece is an artwork, defined by meticulous craftsmanship that includes detailed beadwork, quilting, boning, crystal embellishments, and hand-sewn appliqués. We celebrate the highest standards of construction.
While select items will soon be available on Etsy and our upcoming website, our true specialty is custom design work. Drawing on professional experience gained at Garo Sparo, we offer a personalized client consultation process, simply contact us directly to begin co-creating your bespoke piece. Additionally, we provide garment rentals for stylists seeking unique, high-fashion pieces.
While Kaciano Atelier’s Couture Lingerie remains our current focus (already successfully showcased at Bronx Fashion Week, with our next collection debuting in 2026), our vision is expansive. We plan to introduce Kaciano Neutrals for elevated basics and Petite Papillon, a line dedicated to celebrating milestones like a child’s first birthday.
We invite you to explore our work. The beautiful gallery of our Dark Romance Collection, curated by Alex Pesante, is available on this link https://splitsecondmoment.pixieset.com/kaciano/taylor/, and you can follow our journey on Instagram @kaciano.atelier.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The single most important quality in this industry is kindness and politeness. Showing genuine respect and courtesy can open doors and build lasting relationships that sheer talent alone cannot.
Equally vital is the skill of constant learning. Every experience, every detail, even those seemingly insignificant contributes to your knowledge base. I received advice from the legendary Tim Gunn, who urged me to “be a sponge.” His wisdom was simple: soak up every piece of knowledge within the fashion field, as that perfect, specialized skill will inevitably become essential for a future project.
My primary advice is to thoroughly study the work of every great fashion designer. But be ready for profound change. When I began, my passion was Japanese streetwear. Then, I became obsessed with the intricate, high-fashion artistry of Alexander McQueen, which utterly blew me away. That evolution ultimately led me to where I am today, creating Couture Lingerie. Your taste will evolve, and that’s a beautiful part of the journey.
Second, If your work brings you genuine joy, you are on the right path. However, if creating feels like a chore and is emotionally draining, give yourself permission to shift focus. Fashion can remain a valuable skill in your toolkit while you pursue a path that truly fulfills you. The greatest reward is the process of bringing an idea to life, transforming a flat, 2D sketch into a living, breathing, 3D garment worn by a person. That transformation is the true joy of fashion.
Third, for students who want to go above and beyond the everyday basics, recognize that advanced design involves technical mastery. Pay attention in your math and science classes. They are absolutely critical for pattern drafting, engineering complex garments, and understanding advanced fabrication.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
My greatest professional breakthrough wasn’t a skill learned; it was the growth of my self-confidence. For years, my family reminded me of my lifelong dream, to see my designer name recognized, free from working under another’s brand. Yet, despite acquiring all the necessary skills from my specialization at Fashion Industry High School and advanced education at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), to my professional tenure at Garo Sparo. I allowed my lack of self-belief to hold me back.
The internal shift began unexpectedly in January. A crucial diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and GERD prompted me to change my lifestyle. While my body began adapting, my mind needed to catch up. The true catalyst arrived in March, in my allergist’s office. When asked about my work, I admitted, “I’m a seamstress, and I design, but I’m terrible at marketing.” My specialist, Dr. Persaud, disagreed, assuring me that my passion was my best marketing. He challenged me to give myself one year to pursue my business.
Inspired, I searched for opportunities and found Bronx Fashion Week. I applied with low expectations and was genuinely shocked when they reached back. The successful interview cemented their belief in my vision, and with that external validation, my own confidence began to soar.
The journey was fueled by the support of key mentors and partners to my friend, Gio Demko for contributing his skills to the crucial embellishment work that defines the couture factor of my pieces. To my mentor Garo Sparo (The Corset King) I am eternally grateful to my boss for allowing me to utilize his studio space on weekends and after hours to meticulously craft the collection.
As the show approached, the love and excitement surrounding the unembellished pieces were already ecstatic. Learning I would be closing the show was a mix of exhilaration and nerve-wracking anticipation. I needed the work to speak for itself, a tangible testament to my commitment.
The show in September was a defining moment. The praise and gasps from the audience confirmed that my work was polished, powerful, and celebrating the beauty of the female form—was a success. Especially the people behind the scenes didn’t even get to see it fully embellished really left a statement.
Since then, momentum has been unstoppable, Alex Pesante, the lead photographer for Bronx Fashion Week, sought to photograph my collection, providing the foundation for my brand’s visual identity. Most profoundly, Flora Montes, the CEO of Bronx Fashion Week, took me under her wing. Her mentorship is helping me formally establish and scale Kaciano Atelier beyond my initial dreams.
My biggest growth wasn’t a skill; it was the internal permission to believe I could do it. I was the only one holding myself back. Now, as the year closes, I am transitioning into the retail phase preparing to sell pieces from the Dark Romance Collection and sending out PR boxes to spread the word about Kaciano Atelier. I am truly living the dream, day by day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaciano.atelier?igsh=MW1zMzlnb295YmV4aQ==
- Other: Kaciano: Turning Resilience into Runway https://share.google/FBU4zL6pQsIqgJUmU
https://splitsecondmoment.pixieset.com/kaciano/victoria/
Image Credits
Alex Pesante
Garo Sparo
Michael Garcia
Carmen Allende
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