DESIGNER PROFILE – GLORIA STRAKER
What should everyone know about you?
GS: I am a top-performing and skilled apparel designer with extensive experience in brand management, competitive market analysis, trends, product development and design presentations in both men’s and boys apparel.
How would you describe what you do?
GS: I create and design a strong profitable line from concept to production to store.
Why did you choose to be a designer?
GS: I had a desire to design fashionable clothing at affordable pricing.
What steps did you take to become a designer?
GS: I knew at a young age that I wanted to be a designer & artist. So I attended specialized schools that catered to the arts from Satellite East junior high school for the gifted & talented to the High School of Art & Design to Parsons Schools of design.
Best/Most Challenging part of your job?
GS: Coming up with new design ideas every season especially for men when you’re limited by silhouettes.
If you weren’t a designer what would you be?
GS: I would be a veterinarian.
How did you get started in design?
GS: I started by learning how to sew from my mother and how garments are out together.
What do you like about what you do?
GS: I love seeing the finished product on the consumer.
What’s a common misconception people have about what you do?
GS: People think I just draw pretty pictures all day but they don’t understand all the elements that go into making a garment & selling it.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
GS: I see myself having my own artist studio & store where I can display & sell my art & my design creations.
What sparked your interest in design?
GS: I have always had a love for clothes, how they made me feel when wearing thing & the persona they made me give off.
How has your work evolved since you began your career?
GS: I’ve become more knowledgeable about garment construction, fabric construction & make, line profitability & a better presenter.
Are there any types of clothing/footwear/accessories that you avoid wearing?
GS: I never wear knock offs & cheaply made clothing. A well made garment will last you for years.
What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
GS: Currently, I’m fascinated with all things retro that’s new again & how the millennials are so into it as if it’s really new. For example, Adidas originals, Puma and how you can see every other person on the street is wearing the brand, when I actually lived the culture in the 80’s.
What’s your motto?
GS: If I don’t believe in it, I’m not doing it.
Other (feel free to tell the readers anything about you that we didn’t ask)
GS: In my spare time, I am also a fine artist specializing in animal portraits as well as I build furniture out of reclaimed wood.
I am a self motivated Sr. Designer with a creative vision enhanced by market awareness, with the ability to capitalize on trend influences and deliver a strong profitable line from concept to developemnt to floor set
Having over 20 years of experience in the apparel industry, I’ve had the opportunity to design an array of product categories from mens dress shirts and suiting, casual woven bottoms and tops, cut and sew knits, outerwear, sweaters and swimwear.
Learn more about Gloria here:
StylePortfolios: www.styleportfolios.com/portfolio/strakerg/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/glogirl_bkny/