Designer Carlos Ramirez, best sums up his collection as refined elegance with a bit of Latin excitement thrown in. His roots and the cultural kaleidoscope that is Miami, are ever present in his collections. He combines feminine silhouettes with the use of luxurious fabrics, sumptuous textures and exquisite hand-work detail. A true colorist, he draws inspiration from the Florida’s sun-drenched palette.
Carlos’ mother was a seamstress in her native Cuba. After immigrating to the United States, it was through her small seamstress’ business that she helped support herself and her family. During these early years his passion for design was greatly influenced by the many hours spent in her shop. Although his dream was to be an architect, his mother persuaded him to attend the University of Miami Law School. Carlos was awarded a full scholarship before deciding to start Liancarlo in 1981, and follow his dream.
“My family and friends couldn’t believe that I dropped out of law school to start a dress company”, said Carlos. “They told me I was crazy, especially during the first few years when we never had any money.” His years of perseverance eventually were rewarded. “Building Liancarlo has been one of the most difficult yet fulfilling experiences of my life – my life certainly has turned out differently than those of my friends from law school.”
In 2001, Carlos launched his first bridal collection. The collection was immediately embraced by major retailers and exclusive bridal boutiques. In 2003, the New York Couture Bridal Associate and Wedding Dresses magazine awarded Carlos, Best New Bridal Designer. In 2004, Florida International Magazine presented him with the Best Designer in Florida Award.
A prolific artist, Carlos’, creative energy has recently fueled him to design a new blog that showcases paintings of Liancarlo brides as well as many of his personal projects. The blog is called “Art Reflects Life.” As for the future, Carlos intends to continue the evolution of Liancarlo to best meet the needs of his many loyal customers and to further pursue his artistic endeavors.
For more information about Liancarlo, please contact us at info@liancarlo.com.
silhouettes; and ethereal fabrics Where to Find Him: Liancarlo, 1737
NW 79th Avenue, Miami, FL 33126; liancarlo.com You design all of the gowns,
right? Yes, I am the sole designer. I’m that neurotic person who doesn’t work
with an assistant. We don’t contract anything out. Our 45 employees do everything:
cutting, sewing, handwork. And one person makes a single dress. When
that’s the case, people take more pride in their work. That seems pretty laborintensive.
Sometimes it can take up to three months to produce a dress, so order it at
least four to six months before your wedding. Many have frayed elements, or
different types of embroidery, or appliques. Some of them are stitched by hand
and some by machine, but it’s an intricate process to get to the final effect.
What dress has been your best seller? A popular one this year is an Italian
two-tier gown with tulle and organza fabric ripped into petals and formed into
magnolias along the edges.
“Remember the role your gown plays. Of course you want it to be appropriate
for the occasion, but you also need to consider whether you wear the dress or
the dress wears you. The dress is a vessel for you to shine through, a vehicle
to set you apart from everyone without detracting from you. At the end of the
day, people should say how beautiful you looked, not what a beautiful dress
you had.”
