Catrinel Menghia

Catrinel Menghia is an independent fashion stylist based in New York City. She began her design career in 2009 and later opened a small shop. She is best known for her bold yet feminine clothing designs. She frequently collaborates with other designers to create unique pieces. She describes her own work ethic as “independently minded” and attributes her growth as a designer to not letting external pressures get in the way of her vision.

Key Facts

  • Full Name: Catrinel Menghia
  • Home Town: New York City
  • Age: 25
  • Role: Designer
  • Educational Background: BFA Fashion Design, Parsons The New School for Design
  • Fashion Career: 2009 – Present
  • Labels:
  • Made By: US
  • Manufacturer: Exclusive Apparel
  • Price: $275 – $600
  • Includes: Hooded sweatshirt, T-shirt and tank top
  • Color: Black
  • Material: Cotton
  • Style:
  • Gender: Unisex
  • Season: All Seasons
  • Warm Ups
  • Wearability: Easy
  • Tagline: Be Fearless, Be Fashionable

Design Process

Catrinel Menghia began her design career in 2009 after graduating with a degree in Fashion Design from Parsons The New School for Design in New York City. She landed her first job at the prestigious fashion house Louis Vuitton as an assistant buyer. While at Louis Vuitton, she was given the opportunity to be a part of the design team. It was there she developed her unique perspective on fashion. She gained new skills and knowledge that helped prepare her for emerging as an independent designer.

After leaving Louis Vuitton, she worked for a couple of years as an independent designer. She started up her own brand, Catrinel Menghia, in 2015. Since then, her design team has worked on multiple prestigious fashion houses and brands, including Ralph Lauren, Dsquared2, and many more. She is frequently featured in major publications such as Vogue and Elle.

Exposure

Catrinel Menghia’s Instagram account currently has over 300,000 followers and her YouTube channel has over 60,000 subscribers. She has also designed small-batch collection for major fashion houses and created limited-edition pieces for luxury brands. Her brand was even featured in an episode of the Netflix documentary series, The Fashionista.

The Inspiration For Her Designs

Catrinel Menghia cites numerous influences for her designs. She draws inspiration from historical figures such as Audrey Hepburn, Marjorie Merriweather Post, and other notable individuals who have shaped the course of fashion history. The 1960s were a particularly influential time in terms of societal change. According to Catrinel Menghia, this was the start of an era when people started to question the traditional ways of dressing. The designer draws from historical moments like this to create modern and classic looks.

Style Of Dresses

Catrinel Menghia designs traditional as well as modern dresses. She explores the fashion trends of the past and draws from them to create modern and classic looks that are still relevant today.

The designer notes that throughout history, women have used fashion as a way to express their individuality and to show how they want to be perceived by the world. She cites that today men are more open to this type of expression and encourages women to wear what makes them happy. This is why she loves designing both modern and traditional dresses.

Key Pieces

Catrinel Menghia promotes a range of products that she designs. She frequently collaborates with other designers to create unique pieces. Some of her key pieces include:

  • Jacket: A cropped black jacket with a leather band that accentuates the sporty vibe. This design was made for the French fashion house Dsquared2.
  • Mantel: A long-sleeved blouse with a tie and collar. The design is inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s character from the film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
  • Skirt: A high-waisted printed skirt with a floral print on the exterior and an intricate gold pattern on the interior. This piece was made for the Mariotti Collection.
  • Tunic: A simple and classic cotton tie-waist dress with gold detailing and a printed motif.
  • Pullover: A black silk pullover with a silver-tone necklace designed by Prada.
  • Bag: A large tote with a drawstring that can hold a laptop or tablet. The design was inspired by bags created by hand for the designer Yves Saint Laurent. Also featuring the designer’s signature horsebit design.
  • Sandals: A pair of high-heeled brown leather shoes with a soft textile lining. The shoes are signed Yves Saint Laurent.
  • Belts: A black cotton belt with a floral print and metal buckle. The piece was made for the British high-street brand, Marks & Spencer.
  • Biker Jacket: A blazer with motorcycle print in full colour on the front and back. The blazer was designed for the luxury Italian brand, Cerruti.
  • Jacket: A blazer with a leather and metal panelling. The design was inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s character from the film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
  • Scarf: A knitted blue scarf. The design is a modern take on a Burberry Prada scarf.

Alongside these designs, Catrinel Menghia regularly creates capsule collections for major fashion houses and brands. These capsule collections usually include a range of separates that can be combined to form a cohesive look. For example, her capsule collection for Mariotti Collection features a blazer, skirt, and turtleneck, which can be worn together or separately.

Design Awards And Recognition

Catrinel Menghia has been awarded multiple prizes at industry design competitions. She won first prize at the Italian brand, Cerruti’s, Autumn Winter 2016 collection. The designer was also selected as one of the “Top 30 Next Gen Designers to Watch Out For” by WWD in 2019.

She was also nominated for a 2019 Golden Clarity Award in the Accessory/Jewellery category for her handcrafted brooches. The designer notes that she enjoys the prestige that these awards bring her, but also the chance to explore new materials and methods.

The Future

Catrinel Menghia is an established name in the world of fashion. She is among the very few designers who can boast of working for some of the most prominent fashion houses and having their designs carried by luxury brands around the world. She is one of the few designers who can be proud to say that she is independent and does not work for a company.

According to Catrinel Menghia, in the near future, she would like to see more and more designers creating their own lines and taking inspiration from all areas of fashion history. She notes that today’s generation of millennials are more open to wearing a range of different garments that reflect their eclectic tastes. This is why she loves designing for this audience.

There are numerous opportunities for women in the fashion industry. In the United States, the average wage for a fashion designer is $77,000 per year. In the United Kingdom, the average salary is £45,000 per year. It is estimated that by 2029, there will be around 1.7 million job openings in the field of fashion.