Project Runway’s finalist designer Coral Castillo is one of the most celebrated and memorable designers to ever compete on the popular fashion reality TV show. She speaks softly but designs boldly honoring her rich Mexican culture. Born and raised in Mexico City, the talented celebrity fashion designer is determined to show the world the beauty of her motherland.

Coral attended The Art Institute of California-San Francisco and moved to Los Angeles to begin her ambitious career in fashion. It was at the Los Angeles Fashion Week that we first met Coral and were instantly impressed with her feminine and form-fitting collection using stunning fabrics and intricate details.

“I would love to be the first Mexican designer that has a house like Dior, Balenciaga, or Chanel... I would love to do that.”

As an accomplished and celebrated fashion designer, how do you describe fashion? 

Fashion is a form of self expression. It can define a time in history and tell you a story.

Fashion is a way to express your struggle, your happiness, all your emotions translated into silhouettes, colors and textures. 

Can you share your philosophies on clothing, trend and/or fashion? 

Powerful and Feminine. I love working with layers, creating dramatic silhouettes and draping in order to portray a playful relationship with light and opacity. I find inspiration in female empowerment, expressing resilience and maintaining a fighting spirit without ever losing sight of celebrating femininity.

Fashion for me is also a way to share my culture and tell you my story.

Has becoming a fashion designer always been a dream? Was there a significant event in your life that inspired fashion design? 

I grew up with the exposure of custom-made clothing and fine fabrics. Mom was a dress-maker and when I was young, I loved to see mom’s fittings, especially the faces of her clients when they slipped into the dresses that mom made. They were so beautiful! I wanted to create that same transformations. Mom taught me to hand-sew when I was six and I started sewing dresses for my dollies. She provided for my brother, sister and I with her modest dress-making business.

Afraid I would damage her sewing machine, mom did not want me to learn using it. So without her knowing I started using her sewing machine and stealing her fabrics. Eventually she found out but I continued to wanting to learn how to sew and couldn't stop. In 2018, I decided to pursue my passion and enrolled at the Art Institute of California-San Francisco to study Fashion Design. 

What were your biggest obstacles on your journey to becoming a fashion designer?

I think one of my biggest obstacles in my journey was the pandemic. During the pandemic I was not selling and I was afraid I’ll have to give up my clothing line.

Are there still challenges you are looking to overcome?

After doing Project Runway I’ve been very fortunate to receive many orders. Most of my work is handmade. I am looking into mass production options to expand my business but quality is very important to me, and it can be lost with mass production. It’s actually a fun challenge to have. I’m learning a lot in the process.   

To many, you are able to live your dream. Do you have any advice for anyone who’s chasing their dream (general or in fashion)?

Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it. If they do, they’re talking about their own experience. Their experience doesn’t have to be yours. 

I use myself as an example, I applied multiple times to Project Runway receiving multiple rejections. I didn’t stop applying and in 2021, I was casted to compete in Season 19. You can make your dream come true. You must have the determination and keep learning and exploring to make your dream come true. 

To date, what do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment(s)? 

I’ll have to say creating for a fashion show in Greece, being a runner-up for Project Runway S19 and showcasing at New York Fashion Week. I am also lucky enough to have been published in Vogue Italy, Vogue UK and Elle.

Photos: Fashion Designer Coral Castillo (left) and her latest collection at LA Fashion Week

Any exciting projects we should know about?

I’m constantly working on new collections for fashion shows. Learning the mass production process while ensuring quality is a priority too.

Any person, place, or thing you would credit your successes to?

I credit my success to my son, Aaron. He makes me feel that I always need to give the best of myself, because I ask the same for him. I want to be a good example for my son. My goal is to show him that hard work and perseverance are the keys to success.

What is the best way for your fans and fashionistas to get into your clothing? 

The best way to get my clothing is visiting my website www.coralcastillo.com at the moment. I only do custom orders by request. I’m hoping to add ready-to-sell pieces eventually. My social links are www.instagram.com/cc.coral and www.instagram.com/coral_castillo.

Any additional thoughts or experiences you would like to share? 

Fashion is very competitive and it’s going to hit you really hard if you don’t love it enough. It will be very easy to give up. If you love fashion and don’t give it up it can be very rewarding like it is for me now. I love doing fashion shows, traveling for inspiration and working with other creatives.

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