Spotlight on Adela Ramirez: The Latest Teen Vogue Generation Next Innovator
Adela Ramirez is a New York based fashion designer and graduate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The designer is fresh in the fashion industry and already crushing it as one of the latest recipients of Teen Vogue’s Generation Next fashion incubator program!
Below you’ll find striking photos taken by Abi Teodori of Ramirez’s latest collection modeled by Zoe Roze.
Ramirez takes us through her experience thus far working with a major name in the fashion industry as well as her own philosophy, creative process, and a bit of encouragement for aspiring designers.
Photos taken by Abi Teodori of Zoe Roze
ADELA RAMIREZ: My work is inspired by men's tailoring and creative patterns making trying to create something wearable yet new. I make clothing women can feel like a badass in. My work has silhouettes that include cutouts, fitted waist, and strong shoulders.
Photos taken by Abi Teodori of Zoe Roze
AR: When creating my looks I take elements from trench coats, suit jackets, and suspenders and transform them from menswear to badass women's wear. I'm inspired by cinema, specifically action, SciFi, and heist movies. I enjoy the badass main character, I'm fascinated by clothing giving a sense of power to the wearer.
Photos taken by Abi Teodori of Zoe Roze
AR: Within my work, I've been thinking about why I create the things I create and the underlying theme I found is trying to create my ideal self. So when I create badass clothing, I create it not only to feel like a badass wearing it but to embody that confident feeling every day.
I've always been a shy kid since childhood so this creative process has made me reflect on where I've come since then and allowed me to invite others on this journey thru my designs.
Photos taken by Abi Teodori of Zoe Roze
AR: Being chosen as a Teen Vogue Generation Next winner has been a surreal experience. During the shutdown of schools in 2020, I was hitting a wall and wasn't sure I was good enough to be a part of the fashion world. Now here 2 years later I am more confident than ever that I will make a place for myself. At the Teen Vogue Generation Next Cocktail party, it was strange yet exciting to not only have my work be on display but be celebrated along with the other winners. It was fascinating talking to each winner as they each had built their own path in fashion, whether it was starting a business, pursuing tech in fashion, or even looking back at historical garments. Being surrounded by passionate artists trying to figure out the next step was comforting.
This was just the start of the program I'm looking forward to the mentorship that I will be building there as well.
Photos taken by Abi Teodori of Zoe Roze
