Early Fashion Passion
I learned to sew as a small child while making clothes for my dolls. I got my first, very own sewing machine when I was 12. It was always my dream to design clothing, and it reflected in many of my "Barbie" designs. When it came time to consider college majors, I wanted to enroll in a Fashion Program. My mom had other ideas like doctor or engineer. With pressure from my mom, my passion for mathematics, and a competitive older brother, I enrolled in a Chemical Engineering program at Federal Rio University. The disaster in this decision became obvious after the first year, especially in Brazil, since college is almost 100% technical courses from the start! Since both Arts and mathematics always played a large role in my previous studies, I switched to Architectural Design. This, I loved very much. Still, with a thirst for even more creative arts, I took Fashion Design and Pattern Making on the side. Finally, I had it all!
About the Designer
The Big Move
In 1991, I moved to the USA fully intending to stay at the most 2 years. I fell in love with "my" country, and have lived and worked here ever since. My first job was in a small boutique in Westboro, Mass. as a pattern maker. After some experience there, I opened my very own boutique in Framingham, Mass. At this boutique, I designed original clothing for women.
Fashion Experience
With a constant thirst to broaden my horizons in the fashion industry, I took all of my design experience, and moved on to work for "Southwick Clothing LLC". Southwick, is a men's suit manufacturer in Lawrence, Mass. In my first three years there, I worked in all phases of garment construction. I learned enough from the best tailors in the world, the Italians, to now add to all my skills the title of "Master Tailor". Now with all of these hard earned skills, Southwick then sent me on
the road to assist their vendors. I was responsible for training associates how to sell custom suits and to train their local tailors on fitting, tailoring and garment repairs. By nature and desire, I have a propensity for great customer service. While on the road in our vendor's stores, I was not only teaching, but selling as well. In fact, many times I closed sales to the toughest customers that even the highest sales associates had given up on! Still thirsty for more, I decided to work for a while in the fashion capitol itself, "The Big Apple". I was assigned as a master tailor for Brooks Brothers. I further honed my tailoring skills, obtained invaluable supervisor experience, and brushed up on some face to face, challenging customer service. I definitely got the real feel of the life in the fashion capitol of the world!
Dream Jobs, Travel and Design
By this time, I felt satisfied and thirsty no more, for the knowledge and experience, to begin full time designing. There was though, a small matter of paying bills. Well, my other lifelong dream was of world travel. I then managed to find a fantastic job as a coorporate flight attendant for a private jet owner. Even though I was on call 24/7 by 365, I managed on my layovers around the world, to fine tune designs. I also had many, many continuous days at home, while on call, to work on patterns, fabric combinations and designs. All this time allowed me to tighten up loose ends, move, and begin my full time design career.
My Last Move, Finally My Last "Real" Job
Now, the obvious choice since I felt I could live anywhere, would be right here in South Florida, since it is the closest to my home town "Rio" weather. I have set up my design studio here and continue with my creative styles. My desire and work now has been to create very unique patterns. As I am a "Well Endowed" woman myself, I have forever been frustrated with "off the rack" clothing. It seemed that no matter the store, or amount of "taking in", my clothes never fit right. After one frustrating day of shopping, I said... "Ok, That's it!!!!"
The Bustyque Experience
Now, I am not only making clothes for me, I am now opening my own personal closet to share with every lady with a similar physique. I hope you all enjoy this new fit, and grow with me as I expand this incredible, unique and luxurious clothing line. I sincerely hope that you can support my ideas and help us grow responsibly and quickly. Together, we can very soon provide more styles, and a lots of stock garments for your convenience and enjoyment.
Welcome to my world of proper fitting clothing!
Lea Fialho
Designer
Questions? Call us 561.351.3544
F I A L H O B R A N D S
