I grew up in Mexico City with my mother and three sisters. My father had already come to the United States when I was born. My first connection to the creative world of sewing came from my Aunt Maria, who was a great inspiration throughout my life. She made the traditional outfits that my sisters and I wore for school presentations every year. Watching her, I saw how happy sewing made her and that joy inspired me to give it a try.
In 2006, when I was 20, my family and I moved to Delaware, where my father was already living. I had always dreamed of studying fashion design, but in Mexico, it was financially out of reach. Coming to the U.S., I started from the ground up learning English and attending night school until I was finally able to pursue that dream. I enrolled at the Art Institute of Philadelphia and graduated with honors in 2014 as a fashion designer.
In 2006, when I was 20, my family and I moved to Delaware, where my father was already living. I had always dreamed of studying fashion design, but in Mexico, it was financially out of reach. Coming to the U.S., I started from the ground up learning English and attending night school until I was finally able to pursue that dream. I enrolled at the Art Institute of Philadelphia and graduated with honors in 2014 as a fashion designer.
I grew up in Mexico City with my mother and three sisters. My father had already come to the United States when I was born. My first connection to the creative world of sewing came from my Aunt Maria, who was a great inspiration throughout my life. She made the traditional outfits that my sisters and I wore for school presentations every year. Watching her, I saw how happy sewing made her and that joy inspired me to give it a try.
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I’m Julieta Zavala, a fashion designer who creates garments that merge my cultural roots with contemporary social trends. I’m proud to play a role in projecting Mexican culture and costume design through visual art in fashion. In my work, I strive to reflect the artistic side of fashion by using unconventional and recyclable materials to create unique, culturally rich pieces.
I’ve now been working in the field for over twelve years. I live in Maryland with my husband and son, and my work has been showcased throughout the tri-state area, in Mexico, and in New York City including at the Penn Museum and the Delaware Art Museum. One of my most meaningful projects took place in 2024: Mercado Kitsch México, a vibrant and multidisciplinary event held at Mezzanine Gallery, an art space managed by the Delaware Division of the Arts. Thanks to the fellowship I received from the Division, I was able to bring this vision to life.
The event featured a fashion show, live music, and a gallery exhibition created with materials brought directly from Mexico City. It was a celebration of culture, creativity, and community, and one of the projects that has made me feel most proud and connected to my roots.
My Mexican heritage has always been and will continue to be my greatest source of inspiration. Everything about our art, culture, and traditions speaks to me. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is gaining recognition and helping people truly see and understand my work. I’m an introvert, and public speaking used to be difficult for me but over time, I’ve grown more confident in sharing my story.
What brings me the greatest joy is introducing my culture to people who may never have had the chance to experience it. I’m always striving to represent it in the most meaningful and respectful way possible.
