TFB INTERVIEW WITH PROJECT RUNWAY SEASON 9 FINALIST: VIKTOR LUNA

“TFB is refined, edgy and on point. Watch out for this one, kids!” - Viktor Luna

TFB had the exciting opportunity to interview PROJECT RUNWAY season 9 finalist Viktor Luna. A finalist who brought innovative print creation, impressive sewing skills, and a modern design aesthetic to the competition. Throughout the season Viktor won challenges and received consistent positive feed back from the judges and in result was a finalist who got to show his collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. TFB aimed to get to know the person behind the intriguing design mind and some insight on the show itself.

Viktor was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and resides in NYC where he has his design studio. A designer for seven years and studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, Viktor shares his encouragement to pursue fashion design as a “family tradition of tailoring and sewing. The glamor keeps me focused.” What a great family tradition to carry on!

PROJECT RUNWAY is known for the extreme challenges that require a lot of work in little time. I am most eager to ask Viktor, “how much time do you have to complete each challenge?” Viktor responds, “12 hours give or take - there was beauty in the rush.” He continues to explain his toughest challenge, “the first partner challenge was the most difficult. Each designer has an individual point of view. Forcing the collaboration of two creative minds is always a challenge, and I had just met these people! It taught me to be open to the working styles of others.” The challenges are evaluated by the fashion icon judges: Designer Michael Kors, Marie Claire Fashion Director Nina Garcia, and Host/Supermodel Heidi Klum; along with numerous surprise celebrity guest judges, and Viktor shares his favorite guest judges being, “Francisco Costa and Adam Lambert.”

The competition offers well-deserved designers like Viktor Luna a chance to share their vision and reach millions of viewers the show attracts at the same time. One opportunity for the finalists is to show a collection at MBFW, and I ask Viktor his first thought as he watched his collection go down the runway; and he explains, “first thought: ‘OMFG!’ I couldn’t believe I was presenting my work to my mentors in the industry. I realized that I had accomplished my all-time dream of being in the center of fashion, but also realized that there is still MUCH work to be done!” Then I ask to share a positive life lesson or experience he gained from his success on the show, and he shares, “I thrived off of the constructive criticism from the experienced judges and guest judges in the fashion world. They taught me to think critically when designing.”

“Being on Project Runway provided me with an incredible platform to share my vision. It also taught me my strengths and weaknesses.” - Viktor Luna

-Arthur Trujillo / TFB

SEE BELOW for more Q&A with Viktor & the VIKTOR LUNA Spring 2012 RTW Collection shown at MBFW.

Q: Most influential designer to you?

A: Karl Lagerfeld

Q: Your perspective as designer?

A: Timeless and forward

Q: Favorite fabric and why?

A: Leather. It’s soft, yet strong and looks fabulous!

Q: People who have worn your designs or galas your designs have been worn at (red carpets etc.)?

A: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, & all my FABULOUS private clients!

Q: The place you find most inspiring?

A: I live in the most inspiring city in the world: NYC

Q: Where do you get your inspiration/things that most inspire you most?

A: Another passion of mine is photography. I’m able to find inspiration in the overlooked beauty of every day life. By taking photos of this beauty I build my collections and custom pieces.

Q: Education/experience?

A: I studied at The Fashion Institute of Technology. I also grew professionally and creatively while working as a production assistant at Zero Maria Cornejo.

Q: Long term goals?

A: I’m building my empire carefully and thoughtfully. My goal is to remain true to myself and the art I create. But let’s keep it real, I want to be in every store and magazine.

Q: Advise to aspiring designers & other fashion industry aspires.

A: Education is important, practice makes perfect, and endurance its never easy…

Q: A funny design experience/story.

A: The first dress I ever made, I didn’t use a dress form and had no pattern making experience. When the garment was done, I went to fit it on a model. The dress had absolutely NO shape and it looked like something from a Tim Burton movie.

Q: What do you hope to bring to the fashion industry to leave your foot prints behind?

A: Innovation in print design, silhouette and tailoring. I design for an empowered woman who knows what she wants.