The American Dream Collection
To continue celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and Bridal Fashion Month, our editor Alejandra Baca had the pleasure of interviewing Latino designer Gustavo Nunez about his newest line, Verdin Bridal! Make sure to check out the full interview below to see the collection and continue reading to learn more about Gustavo's career in fashion and The American Dream collection.
For Gustavo, his proclivity toward fashion started at a young age in Guadalajara, Mexico. His father was in the clothing business, and his mother was a self-made designer. Gustavo loved to see his mother's creativity come to life in her designs, and at the age of 21, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his own career in fashion. There he attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, which only deepened his love for the industry and confirmed that fashion was the right path for him. Beyond the early influence of his mother and father, Gustavo loved the sportswear of Halston and Bill Blass and was interested in designing his own collection of eveningwear. Combining his education and his experience of working with designers in New York after college, Gustavo launched Verdin New York in 2017. His gowns have been sold in department stores around the world.
After getting married last year and feeling that it was time for a fresh beginning amidst the pandemic, Gustavo decided to launch his bridal line, Verdin Bridal. Looking at the gowns, you can see Gustavo's Latino influence as well as his love of American sportswear. The collection features fitted, sexy silhouettes inspired by what brides are wearing in Mexico with key details including bustier bodices, sheer fabrics, plunging necklines, and floral embroidery. Even the gowns' names are inspired by his Latino roots, including Latin American locations, Mexican flowers, common names in Mexico, and even music icon Selena Quintanilla. He even made sure to include the names of blue flowers when naming the gowns and blue elements in his branding as “something blue” for his brides. As for his favorite gown, Gustavo says that they are all his favorites, but he loves “Dalia,” which features a constructed lace and tulle bustier with silk chiffon draping and a silk chiffon skirt. The design also features a cape, which can be worn for the ceremony and removed for the reception. In three words, this gown is sexy, sophisticated, and elegant and truly shows Gustavo's skill in draping and construction. Throughout all of his designs, Gustavo's appreciation for detail shines through.
With so much attention to detail, no one would guess that Gustavo built his bridal line in a quick two and a half months. When asked about his inspiration, Gustavo says that he is inspired by what the brides and young fashionistas are wearing today on social media. And while it may not seem like launching during a pandemic would be easy, his connections from being in the industry, coupled with his husband's help and finding a great sales representative, has allowed him to enjoy the launch of The American Dream collection.
As for his future plans, Gustavo would like to showcase the current collection as much as possible and hopefully present the collection in Mexico City. He truly believes in the American dream and hopes to launch an even more beautiful collection next year in April. For brides-to-be interested in Verdin Bridal, the gowns will soon be available in Bergdorf Goodman and at Mark Ingram Atelier in New York City. For more locations, stay tuned! The website will be updated as the gowns become available at more locations, and trunk shows are scheduled. To stay up to date, you can visit www.verdinnewyork.com or follow along on Instagram @verdinbridal.
Please, contact Verdin for authorized retailers and pricing information.
