¡Hola! My name is Juan and I’m an Argentinian-Spanish based fashion designer. I have an exceptional eye for creative direction, expert-level pattern making & tailoring skills, and have pushed my craft to the limit by taking on work experiences that transcend the typical limits within the fashion/design/costume industry.
Ever since I was a young kid, fashion has been my biggest creative outlet; I’ve been on a sewing machine since primary school and have been in the professional field since the age of 18.
Since moving to Madrid (Spain’s capital city) to pursue a fashion degree, I have taken on projects focused on directing styling teams for music videos pertaining to many different artists, have worked in costume design teams for Cinema and TV productions, and, ever since introducing myself as a designer and skilled pattern maker & tailor, I have commissioned custom designs for red carpets and tour wardrobe.
Currently I focus my time and energy on working as a one person full atelier service for other brands and artists in Spain such as CRACK STUDIO. I turned the head designer’s sketches to reality through pattern making, prototyping, fittings, and final tailoring from my own workshop. After a good run with them for their winter drop, we participated in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Madrid under their EGO platform for young fashion talents, where the summer collection ‘INFINITY’ walked the runway
My personal project VARELA -ethical fashion for all- started as a test run to develop my own products, focused on creating affordable high quality designs for everyone, regardless of their size and gender identity, inspired by brands like Telfar or Barragán, whose identity I found connected to my own mindset about the industry, specially seeing the lack of this type of brands in Spain. I started receiving a lot of support from queer, latino, black, brown public through the internet.
Its through these connections that I find myself eager to explore the professional field working for a fashion company outside of spain, that shares my values and to whom I can contribute my skills & passion to generate continued brand success & momentum.
Projects
- HOT MADRID SUMMER - VARELA SS/22 CAMPAIGNInspired by the long summers away from the sea we spend in the hot Madrid city, I relaunched my VARELA swimwear with this photoshoot that portrays the brands fun and queer identity. Creative Direction: Juan Varela Photography: Sergio Pontier Makeup: Amy Lezaun Hair: Maxi Boom
Work history
TAILORZARA
Madrid, SpainFreelance
Tailoring for ZARA campaign, produced by CAP
TAILORPepsiCo
Madrid, SpainFreelance
Tailor for artist Anitta for her PEPSI commercial
Skills
- Pattern Design
- Couture Sewing
- Tailoring
- Costume Design
Education
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Fashion Design DegreeEscuela Superior de Diseño de Madrid
- Madrid, Spain