Today we’d like to introduce you to Priscilla Von Sorella.
Priscilla, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up, if you had told anyone that I would grow up to love fashion and one day design it, they would have never believed you. I was a bit of a tom boy. Even from a young age, I lived life on my own frequency. I was into sci-fi, read about quantum physics as a teenager, and was always creatively in-tune and expressive. Whether drawing, creative piano music, or writing, I found different ways to express myself. I graduated high school at the age of 15 which enabled me to think about my career and the rest of my life very early. Always mature for my age, this wasn’t a challenge, and I started thinking about what I could do that would empower me and allow me to live creatively. I first became interested in fashion design when I watched Project Runway for the first time at the age of 16. I thought, how hard can it be? I remember going upstairs to my family’s game room and dusting off my mom’s sewing machine the same day. I began sewing, and let’s just say nothing came as a challenge that I couldn’t conquer. I naturally was able to make pants, skirts, dresses, really anything without a pattern or any direction. I had never been trained formally at this time, and I was able to mathematically put pieces of fabric together to make any idea that lived in my brain. From the beginning, I have always looked at fashion design as the perfect combination of creative expression and analytical equation. Sewing and designing requires meticulous problem-solving and makes you think about geometric remedies for making a 2-dimensional material fit a 3-dimensional figure. I loved the challenge of it and found that I had a natural talent for the tradecraft.
I soon after began studying fashion at Houston Community College’s Fashion Design program. Here, I was given formal direction with standards that many would say sit at the same level as instruction by some of the best fashion schools in the world. I loved the training, however, still marching to the beat of my own drum, I felt less freedom and wanted to learn things at my own pace. I instead decided to continue my practice as I wished and how I wanted to.
I continued designing and sewing for a few years and eventually launched MAISON VON SORELLA at the age of 24 as a product of my unique inspiration. I did my first photoshoot in Paris that year and decided I wanted the City of Light to be the inspiration behind my brand. Paris always attracted me. You can read more about my fascination here:https://www.vonsorella.com/
Today, my fashion label operates internationally. I have two small-sized teams: one in Houston and one in Paris. My clothing is sewn by our own professionals, and my marketing and communications teams help with everything else. I personally designed my website, I design all the clothing, and I make all the first prototypes. I even make my own fashion week invitations. I like to be on top of a part of every little thing. I do not have a brick and mortar, though one day I aspire to open my one in Paris. The label sells our merchandise online exclusively at vonsorella.com.
Official short bio on website:
Priscilla Von Sorella set her focus on fashion at a young age. After graduating from high school at the age of 15, Priscilla studied Fashion Design then went on to self-educate herself in the tradecraft. With a natural gift for garment construction, creative design, and intricate needlework, Priscilla later launched MAISON VON SORELLA as a product of her unique inspiration. Since the label’s inception, MAISON VON SORELLA has shown at Paris Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week at private exhibitions.
Priscilla Von Sorella and her ideas have been featured on The Huffington Post, BBC News, Luxcior Magazine, Fashion Week Online, JMG Magazine, LEFAIR, Lifestyle Clothing, and many other international media platforms.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s never a smooth road. If you’re looking for a smooth road, don’t go into Fashion! Some obstacles I have faced are the following:
1) Building an international network from a remote location
2) Conducting my own research (manufacturers, fashion network research, industry-related research) and doing everything (patterns, designs, productions, fabric sourcing), etc…) myself in the beginning- I wouldn’t say this is an “obstacle” but rather a layer of added work. You have to be prepared to put in the work. It’s critical that you do a lot of the work yourself because you have to be on top of everything.
Advice for young women:
-The most important advice I can give anyone is: Don’t let people who don’t understand your vision and mission discourage you. People will constantly question your ability, talent, and potential, but use this as energy to empower you rather than letting it get you down. If anything, any doubts or critique I’ve ever received has only fueled me to work harder, keep pushing, and never give up.
-STUDY business, business, and more business. And I mean read books, blogs, listen to podcasts, and set role models who have business acumen, not just aesthetic accomplishments! Give yourself the tools to be successful in the business world, because the more you know and can do, the further ahead of everyone else you will be. And I don’t mean sit in a classroom for four years learning about Business from a professor, I mean get out there and do it! The time is never perfect. It’s about knowing when is the best time, regardless of what others think.
Please tell us about MAISON VON SORELLA.
I create luxury womenswear that embodies empowerment, courage, and sophistication. At the moment, I am only producing ready-to-wear; however, I plan to begin making true Haute Couture soon. What sets me apart is that my label has a true BRAND DNA behind it. I want to empower women to feel the best that they can, and not just aesthetically. Here are some words I live by:
“BE BRILLIANT. AND ALWAYS… BE UNAPOLOGETIC.”
“You don’t wear fashion, you arm yourself in it.”
“Be the most confident, unstoppable version of yourself.”
“I dress up to impress myself. Everyone else is on the sidelines.”
“If everyone’s wearing it, it’s time to change.”
“Fashion sets me free.” – Priscilla Von Sorella
Also, my label has explored some of the Fashion-Tech sphere. I have played with laser cutting, 3-d printing, and futuristic design concepts. I hope to minimize waste production by using sustainable methods of manufacturing as well. Additionally, I have committed to only use manufacturers that ensure humane and worker-friendly working conditions.
Lastly, my next collection that is in the initial design phase will incorporate some really interesting components, such as hidden compartments in the clothing… think functionality meets elegance. That’s all I can say at this time.
Who have you been inspired by?
Personally speaking, my sister Franchesca Cox has inspired me beyond words. It’s not just her unparalleled ambition, courage, and resilience that inspired me, but her support that has kept me going before. She always offers the absolute best advice and has always supported my endeavors.
Figuratively, I am inspired by Audrey Hepburn, Princess Diana, and Jackie Kennedy. These women embody the elegance of what I want my label to always reflect. Read more here: https://www.vonsorella.com/
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vonsorella.com
- Email: mode@vonsorella.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vonsorella/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vonsorellaofficial
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/vonsorella
©Brock Lawson Photography 2015
Image Credit:
Brown Lawson, Jesus Gonzalez
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
