FLATTERING, FASHIONABLE, AND FIERCE: THE PLUS-SIZE DESIGN REVOLUTION BY SASHA SOLANA WALTON - VORAKA.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN VORAKA

Article Published on 07 November 2024 by Gloria Poletti | www.vorakamag.com

Sasha Solana Walton, fashion designer and CEO of "House of Solana," started sewing at age 16, and of course, realized before sewing that there wasn’t any flattering or stylish clothing for her size, which was uncomfortable and frustrating. Deciding to study the fashion industry, with barely any plus-size influence and just the big house designers for style inspiration, she strived to fill the massive gap in the industry that turned away from the inclusion of curvier sizes, which brought her to stating, “The industry is missing ME!”

Attending Mount Mary College, now known as Mount Mary University, at age 18 in 2008, Sasha studied the Apparel Product Development program for five years, learning techniques in pattern-making, draping, and CAD, etc. Following that path, she saved up all of her funds to also study abroad in Paris, France, at the Paris American Academy and Antwerp, Belgium. After embedding that wonderful knowledge from the program, there were still points to be made. Since, at the time, the smaller sizes were being taught for fittings and were at the forefront, Sasha was determined to continue learning different shapes and sizes of full-figured women. With that drive, not only did it bring her to a new level of experience, but it gave her full control of the brand that she has today, allowing her to present her garments through her feelings, art, style, and class.

Sasha’s career has flourished into a wonderful division of making art with the plus-size body and understanding who "She" is and the desire to create for clients. Sasha has experienced showcasing her garment collections by presenting in Portland, Oregon, New York Fashion Week, Curves Beautifully Empowered in Seattle, Model Icon, Chicago Fashion Week, an LA showcase for six months, and twice in London in a networking fashion showcase and to present at African Fashion Week London as their first plus-size designer. Sasha was also the first plus-size designer to showcase at Paris and Milan with Fashion Week Studio and several other fashion Weeks, which has really shown how her clothing line can expand to speak through photos and across global runways. Some other accomplishing endeavors include Sasha designing and dressing a journalist for the Oscars in 2023 and 2024 for the red carpet, along with releasing a collection for Fall/Winter ‘23 with SHEIN. On February 24th, 2024, Sasha produced her own and very first fashion show, "The House of Solana Fashion Show," to showcase all her collections over the years in one setting, through her eyes and her visions onto the runway, done her way. Making the room customized to her tastes, she made sure she placed chair covers with her brand logo, down to the napkins. Her makeup line, Solana Beautè, was also applied to the models for that personalization, connecting to her garments. It was truly a statement to let everyone know whose house they were in, whom they came to see and to welcome them properly.

The motto for House of Solana is the thrive of lavish, beauty, and style. It’s for women who want to look and feel sophisticated and beautiful, for the woman who wants to be fierce at all times, as well as for the woman who loves a simple look with a twist. Sasha designs for plus-size women because her passion is for creating that diversity of clothing to raise their confidence and be the woman they command to be, instead of adhering to just one standard of beauty. STUNNING DESIGNS COLLECTION OF SASHA SOLANA WALTON: WHERE STYLE MEETS CONFIDENCE

To see more of her collection, click here and download the September 2024 Fashion special issue EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DESIGNER SASHA SOLANA WALTON What inspired you to start sewing at 16 and pursue a career in fashion design? What inspired me to sew at 16 was the lack of clothing for plus sizes. I was inspired by my mother's sequined dresses hanging in her closet that I would rummage through daily. I loved sitting on her bed while she dressed up for date nights with my father. I thought I would be able to have access to those glamorous and fun dresses and outfits, and sadly, there weren't many options at all. I didn't want frumpy clothes to be my style and destiny forever, so I made it my mission to pursue and create that platform for what was missing in the industry.

How did you identify the gap in the fashion industry for plus-size clothing, and how did that shape House of Solana? To continue reading the full interview, click here and download the September 2024 Fashion special issue