Mariana Maass Diaz Lozano

Mariana Maass is a Mexican/Spanish junior fashion designer whose work is deeply enriched by her artistic journey, reflecting a profound thirst for knowledge, research, and experimentation. As a bilingual individual fluent in both English and Spanish, Mariana has infused her fashion creations with diverse cultural insights garnered through constant travel.

Her creative journey commenced with an exploration of various artistic mediums, including photography and painting. Under the mentorship of renowned Mexican photographer Ignacio Urquiza and watercolor artist Ana Laura Salazar, Mariana cultivated a rich visual vocabulary. Her artistic pursuits eventually led her to makeup design, a pivotal moment in her career, prompting her to study Makeup Design for Film and Television at the Vancouver Film School, where she graduated with honors. Building her makeup portfolio, she discovered a passion for fashion, aiming to integrate costume and styling into her skillset.

Mariana’s professional experience includes her time at Cinema Fantasma, where she contributed to HBO’s award-winning show “Frankelda’s Book of Spooks.” It was after this experience that Mariana decided to further her education at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), where she immersed herself in an environment that celebrated art and design. 

The constant exposure to exhibitions and galleries continually informed her creative process. Her graduate collection, “Pier 24,” exemplifies this inspiration, drawing from the whimsical color palette and symmetrical motifs of the “Accidentally Wes Anderson” exhibition. Mariana’s design philosophy is further influenced by the pop art movement, particularly Claes Oldenburg’s work, emphasizing rediscovery and the beauty in overlooked everyday objects. Through meticulous pattern cutting and fabric selection, Mariana brings attention to intricate details in mundane garments, offering a fresh perspective on everyday attire.

A central theme in Mariana’s work is her fascination with functionality and attention to detail, a legacy inspired by designers like Massimo Osti and her internship with Carla Fernandez. At Fernandez’s studio, Mariana learned non-western pattern cutting techniques that prioritize visual minimalism and intricate production methods. This expertise translated into her graduate collection, where careful consideration of trims, fabrics, finishes, and cutting techniques is evident.

Mariana’s creative journey is the bedrock of her design philosophy, guiding her research and choices in color, fabric, and pattern cutting. Her graduate collection “Pier 24” is inspired by travel and the thrill of exploration, inviting wearers to appreciate their surroundings anew. Reflecting an optimistic outlook through a bright color palette and curated fabrics, “Pier 24” also commemorates her grandfather’s sense of pride and positivity in self-expression through clothing. Mariana Maass’s evolution as a designer is highlighted in this collection, showcasing her joyful love for the craft and her promising future in the fashion industry.