Renato Armijo.
Miami-based artist Renato Armijo's motto is "fashion is a matter of art." And, it truly is for him. He arrived in Miami from Lima, Peru, to check out Miami International University Art and Design school "just to see," he says. "They really liked my work and tried really hard to get me in at the last minute. So it started there. All of a sudden I was doing something I loved. I never went back to Peru and never looked back."
miamiartzine.com interviews Armijo on his influences, inspiration and where we can see his work.
Who or what are your influences?
"I think that most artists and designers are influenced by what we see in our daily lives more than we realize. So many different media outlets now with new things every day. For me, though, I usually go back to the people that I think are the great masters or legends of the industry. Coco Chanel was such a visionary and Christian Dior was such a prolific creator. The story of Madeleine Vionnet and how she started as a seamstress and learned the craftsmanship of fashion and then became so great. Thierry Mugler is a master tailor. Alexander McQueen was my story teller and John Galliano an illusionist. These people really spoke to me when I was starting out. And still do."
What inspires your work?
"I really like to get to know each client and hear from them what they really are hoping for from their dress. That one-on-one conversation, their own personality, which definitely helps inspire to try to do something amazing for them. Then I really like to look back to what I like best in fashion the artistry and craft. I really like imagining the workshops of the ateliers and fashion houses from the 1920s and '30s. So much craftsmanship. It’s still relevant and I try to take every opportunity to introduce those things into my work."
LEFT: Gold Leaf Flower. RIGHT: Black Orchid.
How does Miami/South Florida influence your work?
"I think Miami is at an amazing crossroads right now. People are here from everywhere. They bring a lot of different cultures and styles and there is a lot of passion and sensuality. They like to live fully, they want a lot from their life and they want clothing to match. That really gives me the opportunity to create so many different things. Someone new seems to walk in the door every day."
How would you describe your work?
"I really try to design things that help a woman feel unique when she puts on her dress. There really is something special about knowing you have the only one of its kind and everyone is watching. Making sure that there is a lot of art and craftsmanship in a dress goes a long way in making this happen. When you’re right there with her through the design process, fittings, it’s a really good feeling to see the final result and see a woman's face when she looks in the mirror."
What was your “aha” moment where you knew that you had “arrived” as an artist?
"I’m not really sure there has been that one moment not yet anyway! I kind of just go along with a lot of little “aha” moments because I don’t really consider myself an accomplished, “arrived” designer or artist. I feel like I just have to work hard everyday to keep creating so that one day there really might be something that feels like that big moment. But it’s okay though, I like the hard work. I like feeling like my creative process and influences are things I have to keep chasing around."
What has been the most unusual reaction to your work from the public?
"I wouldn’t say there has been anything really unusual. Maybe there was, but it’s just not what I notice and I don’t really create the kind of artwork that would shock people or anything. What I love to see, and what I wait for every time, is that long moment when a women, especially a really young women, sees herself in that mirror for the first time in my dress. She is transformed. And she can hardly believe it. That is just the best thing."
What would you like to achieve as an artist?
"I am very sensitive to the art we find in fashion and, in fact, in every day life. I think in a world that is just so busy with all the things we have to do in our daily lives, the work that so many artists and designers of all kinds do is seen but not often really appreciated that much. I guess I just want to see the true art and craftsmanship of fashion survive and flourish for people to understand it better. And then want more of it! I guess if I can play just a small role in helping that to happen I will be happy."
Where can we see your work?
"Since most of my work is commission work and one-of-a-kinds, I don’t have many pieces at the showroom. But for women interested in working with me they can find me at the Chernaya showroom in the Miami Design District. Also, anyone can see the work I do on Instagram at my personal account @renatoarmijo. #ChernayaBLACKLABEL, along with other creative projects related to fashion and arts."
