Latina Designers Monica Mauro, Amanda Casarez to Showcase their Talents at Phoenix Fashion Week

By Editor October 4, 2016 10:11

By: Isabel Byfield

Phoenix Fashion Week is right around the corner, and Latinos everywhere have plenty of reasons to be proud because we will be well represented by two talented Latina designers: Monica Mauro and Amanda Casarez.

Monica Mauro brings a handmade jewelry collection that showcases beautiful druze stones, a type of natural stone with a crystal coating that gives it a subtle shine. Born and raised in Juarez, Mexico, Monica moved to Dallas to become a Spanish teacher, a job that she held for nine years; but when she had her first child, she had her “Ah-ha!” moment and realized that it was time to pursue her dreams as an artist. So, she moved to Phoenix with her family to get a fresh start and launched her jewelry business as a way express her artistic side, support her family and be a stay at home mom.

Designer Monica Mauro / Photo Credit: Sobe Stanford Photography

Her pieces are inspired by nature, the beauty of the natural stone colors and shapes and women who are modern and like bold pieces that compliment their outfit and make a statement. You can find Monica’s collection at prestigious boutiques, resorts and very soon on Amazon as well.

www.monicamauro.com

Amanda Casarez was born in Washington but shortly after moved to Mexico for a few years. She holds a bachelors degree in Biology and started her career working at a pharmacy. Something was missing in her life. She found herself doing the same thing every day, in and day out; feeling unfulfilled. However, Amanda had a creative side that she developed in high school, when everyone wants to stand out. She remembers making her own unique pieces of clothing inspired by the latest fashion trends; which is not surprising since her mom and grandma were seamstresses and taught her how to sew at a very early age.

Photo Credit: www.amandacasarez.com

As a military family, she and her husband were stationed in Hawaii. The move was a life-changing event that re-kindled the spark in Amanda to pursue those childhood dreams of being a designer. She then started taking fashion design classes and graduated from University of Hawaii. Amanda’s collection is structured, yet delicate. It has a strong influence of men’s wear that is complimented by beautiful textures and patterns.

www.amandacasarez.com

For PHXFW, she is bringing a collection called “deconstructed self,” to which she describes as a way to find “beauty in broken things”. We will see lots of flowing fabrics and lovely hues of rose and mint.

Phoenix Fashion Week will be taking place October 13th – 15th at the Talking Stick Resort. For more information, visit: www.phoenixfashionweek.