In recent years we have seen how fashion has been expanding and growing, but this does not mean that the garments or collections launched are impressive or “thought out,” as brands often choose to match what has already been done.
And it is refreshing to see Ecuadorian fashion entrepreneurs who want to stand out for their care and style in this sea of options but bring more art to this industry. I am referring to Irina Abad, who 2015 merged art with fashion and started creating hand-painted blouses and t-shirts.
“The idea came up in the last months I was in Lima, and I started creating the t-shirts from there, looking for the paints, fabrics, etc.; when I returned, I created an account on Instagram and started selling them from there. At first, I started very shy, and over time, I gained confidence, learning new techniques and understanding what the fashion world is all about”.
He admits that he has been surprised by the number of people interested in hand-painted garments.
It takes him about 3 hours to create a garment; if it is a more complex illustration, it can take up to 5. “It is a job that has to be done with a lot of patience and dedication because if the paint spreads or there is a mistake with the brush, the garment is ruined.”
Among his inspirations to create the garments are icons of fashion and history such as Frida Kahlo, Audrey Hepburn, The Beatles, and Karl Lagerfeld, among others.
He recognizes that the differentiating factor is the hand-painted garments with contrasting tones that play with the complements of the blouses or shirts, such as the sleeves with sequins embroidered or colored sleeves.
Prices range from $38 for T-shirts to $70-$75 for blouses and dresses.
You can find her at @irinaabadz or on her cell phone at 0958768571.
