When fashion collaborations go all wrong...

One day I was contacted by this sweet girl from the costume department of a film called “sweet dreams” directed by a very important Italian director… Some of my dresses were supposed to be appearing in the scene that they were going to shoot in Sarajevo. I was thrilled with this news. This girl had to move all around Rome to collect all my dresses because I wasn’t in the city at the moment, I was in Venezuela for that period, but for me, this was a great opportunity and I couldn’t miss it so I had to called to Italy to my mother in law and tell her to please grab some of the dresses they were interested of and give them to this girl. Same thing I did with my ex-boss, I had to call her to please help me because other dresses where at my work place in Rome, I felt totally embarrassed to ask my boss to do a personal favor but she was so nice she did! She made a box with those dresses to give them to the girl from the costume department.

The dresses flew to Sarajevo and came back save. I was so happy! I had to wait a whole year and a bit more to see the premiere of the film. When I did, I took my mother in law to the movie theater, and I was ready to record a small video with my cellphone of the part of the movie where my dresses where supposed to be at…Well, surprise! My dresses didn’t appeared at all…Devastation! It was so painful for me to come out of the cinema with tears in my eyes and my broken heart full of shame. 

I contacted the girl and she obviously didn’t know anything about it because she changed jobs and the film company never told her about the decision of putting or not my dresses in the scene. They obviously didn’t care about the emerging designer who is eager to feel they had finally hit a great opportunity. They even made me sign a contract... where it said the name of my brand was going to be in the credits and they were going to take a picture of the outfits in the set and send it back to me…Now I understand if you aren’t going to use the dresses is ok but at least INFORM ME ABOUT IT!  That way I don’t go around the world spreading the word about it. It’s what I call to be polite and sensitive, but I guess you don’t get that from everybody…

I don’t like closing my arguments in a bad way with any of my topics, so I’m going to say, yes! Some collaborations go a bit different from what you expected but if you are a designer, don’t stop doing it, because at the end you can say you did everything you could! 

The Time I when to Venezuela to make the Rhythm bags collection

This is my first collection of leather bags I made in Venezuela, my home country. 

It was a real challenge due to the political and economic situation there but thanks to all the people who helped me to get some materials in Colombia, and I am talking about going to the frontier in Cucuta by bus, something absolutely dangerous! thanks also to the people who helped me to find a really good leather artisan which was perfect by the way, and thanks to all the people who told me to never give up in this dream.

At the end everything started to move forwards and we finally made it! I bought the leather, I found the artisan, the hardware and started to work in them. even if I was in Italy I was very into the process of the productin. 

You can see how beautiful and good made they turned out to be. 

The RHYTHM Bags collection is inspired by the musical instruments of Venezuela, Arpa, Tamborera and Bandolina. I specially wanted to create the rythm of Venezuelan music, mixing them with the feeling of contemporary music festivals and shows there to finally get that sensation of cultural dinamism  

I am so proud of the results and how many of these bags I have sold around the globe. I am sure they’re dancing around the world!

The time I shoot Rug-bags

About photo-shootings…A great photographer, Amarylis Cargning contacted me to make this dream happen! Her model and makeup artist did an amazing job! The pictures were supposed to be nude using just the RUG-bags to cover the body of the model. I think the results were very sexy and elegant at the same time, the pictures really highlights the quality of the bags and you can see how delicate and colorful they are. The rug fabric looks amazing and metal chain details are lighted up in a magnificent way. I just love when people is so kind to share their work with me. I still use the picture for my catalogues and publicity, because this shooting is one of the best I have collaborated to.

This collection of handbags are totally handmade with this beautiful rug fabric made of cotton, washable and durable, I made probably around 15 different bags, some of them I sold in markets here in Rome and other I still sell them online, you can see some of them here: https://it.dawanda.com/shop/j-somoza

The time I was being scammed by a “Neiman Marcus headhunter” guy

I generally get lots of collaboration requests through Facebook and emails thanks to all the sites supporting emerging designers in which I have signed in and shared my work.

Yes this actually happened! A guy name “Ronald” contacted me saying he was headhunter selecting new designers to incorporate some of their pieces for Neiman Marcus in a special project they were developing with Japanese business contacts. Certainly after reading this I went out of my mind, because that's like the golden opportunity for a designer, to have some of your garments displayed in a store as important as that one! And to finally start a production and open the door to new deals.

The worst about this thing is that I actually believed it so much that I wasn't able to think it could be a scam, I thought this was going to be my chance, but after some considerations of my family and friends, I started to doubt….

I especially had my friend in the States calling Neiman Marcus contact line to ask about my situation. To know if it was true that Ronald worked for them. Well…

They told me I was being scam. Can you believe it? Thanks God I never made the production of the 600 pieces they wanted to me to make with their Panamanian “manufacturer”. Thanks God I didn't pull out any money of my pocket for this… I just hope people like that get what they deserve in life, as for the emerging designers who are struggling with me. Keep going, just bear with it, someday we'll have our reward…

5 interesting facts about living in Rome

Everybody knows I've been living in Rome for more than 7 years now, and even if I have some love and hate relationship with it. It's impossible for me to say that it has been an incredible experience where I have grown considerably. I tried to sum up every detail in 5 interesting facts about Rome, here they are:

1.       Relax mode on: definitely everything will take longer here, education, documents, the line in the bank, even trains, but it’s not their fault it's just “la dolce vita”, so you could learn to relax and taste every bit of life!

2.       Everything could be solve if you know the right person: in some cases you can see how families and friends of friends just develop their way out of a situation, it says a lot about their political system but I mean they have a huge history what can you expect? At least if you know the right person you can get your stuff done!

3.      Exercise even if you don't want to: public transportation is terrible! So, don't even think of finding the right connections between trains or busses. Besides Rome is a city that yields to be walked, the amazing feeling of finding every time new beautiful streets to visit, so particular and unforgettable. So put your sneakers on and start walking around.

4.      Architecture: it is the magnificent of its architecture that makes Rome so welcoming and impressive at the same time, their temples, churches and monuments would leave a mark on you for life!

5.      Food and wine: The first reason of them all! Food and wine! You will not find better food than traditional Italian, thanks to the quality of flavor of their simple ingredients, eating in Italy is just an experience that you will never forget! Pasta and wine are so good that any food in the world would never taste the same!

The time I made the pagoda bags

My very first leather bag collection! I put all my effort and so much money in the creation of these bags… I used a bright weird and powerful combination of colors because I wanted them to excel from the regular stuff. The design took me weeks because when you have few money to invest you want your product to be perfect. Picking the right leather artisan was a bit difficult, all the moments of the production and post-production were really tuff but I don’t regret it! At the end they turned out to be perfect! I learned a lot with all this and they somehow have been everywhere shooting my name out loud.

Versión en Español

La mia prima Collezione di borse in pelle! Ci ho messo tutto il mio sforzo e tanti soldi nella creazione di queste borse... Ho usato una abbinamento di colori ben strano, viavace e potente perche volevo andare un po' oltre la normalità. Per il disegno ci ho messo settimane a finirlo perche di solito quando hai pochi soldi da investire vuoi che il tuo prodotto sia perfetto. Scegliere il miglior artigiano non è stato facile, tutti i momenti di produzione e post-produzione sono stati duri, ma non mi lamento! Alla fine sono venute perfette! Ho imparato tantissimo e in qualche modo le mie borse sono state ovunque a spargere il mio nome.

Versione en Italiano

Mi primera colección de carteras de piel! Puse todo mi esfuerzo y tanto dinero en la creación de estas bolsas… Utilice una combinación de colores un poco extraña, llamativa y potente porque quería salir fuera de lo común. El diseño me tomo semanas hacerlo porque cuando tienes tan poco dinero para invertir quieres que tu producto quede perfecto. Escoger el artesano justo fue algo muy difícil, toda la producción y post-producción fue muy dura, pero no me lamento! Al final todo quedó perfecto! He aprendido muchísimo y de alguna u otra manera las bolsas han estado en todos lados gritando fuerte mi nombre.

The time I cleaned the ocean

 Last summer I had the chance to participate to an event for cleaning the ocean, in the beach of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in France. I saw the diving experts and the beginners dive deep into the water to pick all the rubbish that could be dangerous to many sea species. It would be so great if we could make initiatives like this more often and internationally. What really impressed me was to see the most beautiful and huge lifeguard dog.

Versión en Español

En el verano pasado tuve la oportunidad de asistir a un evento de limpieza del océano en la playa de Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat en Francia, pude ver a los expertos en buceo y los no tan expertos sumergirse en las profundidades del mar para recoger basura y escombros que pueden ser peligrosos para muchas especies marinas. Que interesante seria si esto se pudiera realizar más seguido y a nivel mundial. Lo que más me impresionó fue ver al perro salvavidas más hermoso y grande que haya visto

Versione en Italiano

Lo scorso estate ho partecipato ad un evento di pulizia del oceano, nella spiaggia di Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in Francia. Ho visto gli esperti e i principianti di immersioni subacquee che raccoglievano tutta la spazzatura dai fondali marini, spazzatura che puo essere pericolosa per tante specie. Sarebbe fantastico se facessero queste iniziative piu spesso e in tutto il mondo. La cosa che più mi è impressionato è stato vedere il cane di salvataggio piu bello e gigante che abbia mai visto.

The week I spent in Montreal

Definitely a place to come back!  Montreal is full of art everywhere! My boyfriend’s family treated us great there! We ate like crazy, I can believe how many different restaurants they have, delicious food every day I personally became fan of the bubble tea. We visited many public places, stadiums, parks, malls, mountains and the best of all the cabana à Sucre, I think I became a whale after that... Maple is the best!

Versión en Español

Montreal es definitivamente una ciudad para regresar! Las calles están llenas de arte por todos lados! La familia de mi novio nos acogió excelentemente allá, comimos como puercos. No puedo creer cuantos restaurante hay, una comida distinta todos los días, personalmente adoré el bubble tea. Visitamos parques, plazas, estadios, centros comerciales, montañas y lo mejor de todo fue la Cabana à Sucre, creo que me volví una ballena después de eso, el sirope de arce es lo máximo!

Versione en Italiano

Montreal è definitivamente un posto per tornarci! Le strade sono piene d’arte ovunque! La familia del mio ragazzo ci hanno accolto benissimo là, abbiamo mangiato come maiali. Non posso credere quanti ristoranti ci sono, cibo diverso tutti giorni, personalmente ho amato il bubble tea. Abbiamo visitato piazze, parchi, stadium, centri comerciali, montagne e la cosa migliore di tutte è stata la Cabana à Sucre, sono diventata una ballena dopo quello. Lo sciroppo d’accero è fantastico!

The time I almost won a bag contest

 Another great contest in which I had participated, the one of the roman atelier Sorelle Fontane.

There were lots of designers participating I can believe I was in the final 3! I had the chance not just to make the Bag design inspired by the Dresses of the atelier, I realized the actual bag with my own hands, the design was shown in Vogue.it, my name in the Newspaper and my Bag displayed in the Maxxi Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome for the final event. I remember this contest as one of the reasons that turned up my love for fashion leather bags.

Versión en Español

Otro gran concurso en el cual participe fue el del atelier romano Sorelle Fontane.

Fueron muchísimos los diseñadores que participaron, todavía no creo que llegue a los últimos 3 finalistas! Tuve la oportunidad no solo de diseñar la bolsa sino que también la realice con mis propias manos, el diseño fue presentado en Vogue.it, mi nombre salió en el periódico, y la bolsa estuvo en exhibición en el Museo de Arte Contemporánea Maxi en Roma para el evento final. Este concurso lo recuerdo mucho porque fue uno de los que incentivó la pasión por el diseño de bolsa de cuero.

Versione en Italiano

Un altro cocorso in cui ho partecipato, quello del atelier romano Sorelle Fontane.

Sono stati tanti i designer che hanno partecipato, non posso credere che sono arrivata fino ai primi 3! Ho avuto l’opportunità non solo di disegnare la borsa ma anche realizzarla con le mie mani, il Design è stato presentato in Vogue.it, il mio nome è uscito sul giornale e la borsa è stata in mostra al Museo de Arte Contemporanea di Roma Maxxi per l’evento finale. Questo concorso lo ricordo molto perche è stato uno di quelli che ha acceso la fiamma per il mio amore perle borse in pelle.

The time I made a crowdfunding project for me to go to Vancouver Fashion Week

A crowdfunding campaign it’s one of the best ways to help grow your business or to make your dream come true, in my case! Thanks to all the people that helped me, the ones that supported me economically and the ones who shared the video every time they could, thanks to all of them I could participate to Vancouver Fashion week and pay some of the travel expenses. Something I would never forget! The making of the video was a blast and it was so funny to do, I was so tired because of the actual making of the collection that I can believe it turned out great. You should give it a try to crowdfunding online campaigns to reach your goals!

Versión en Español

La campaña de recolección de fondos es una de las mejores formas de hacer crecer tu negocio o en mi caso hacer cumplir tus sueños! Gracias a toda la gente que me ayudo, a aquellos que me apoyaron económicamente y aquellos que compartían el video cada vez que podían, gracias a todos ellos pude participar a la semana de la moda de Vancouver y pagar algunos de los gastos. Es algo que nunca podré olvidar! La realización del video fue genial, un vacilón, y eso que estaba continuamente cansada por la colección que no puedo creer que a la final todo salió espectacular. Deberías probar a hacer una campaña de recolección de fondos para lograr tus metas!

Versione en Italiano

Una campagna di colletta di fondi è una delle megliore forme di far crescere il tuo business oppure nel mio caso far avverare il tuo sogno! Grazie a tutte le persone che mi hanno aiutato, quelli che hanno appoggiato economicamente e quelli che condividevano il video tutte le volte che potevano. Grazie a tutti loro Io ho potuto partecipare alla settimana della moda di Vancouver e pagare alcune delle spese. È una cosa che non dimenticherò mai! La realizzazione del video è stata geniale, molto divertente, anche se ero sempre stanca per occuparmi della collezzione non ci posso ancora credere che alla fine è venuto un risultato cosi perfetto. Potresti provare a fare una campagna crowdfunding per raggiungere i tuoi obiettivi