It is safe to say that just about every fashion lover’s dream is to be successfully based in a major fashion city—New York, Paris, Milan—as a designer, photographer, model, or equally creative professional. Angel Sanchez lives that dream. He launched his brand in 1989 in Venezuela, became a fashion sensation in Latin America, made the “tough decision” to move to the United States in 1997, and has proven himself a huge success among runway elite.
Sanchez was born and raised in the city of Valera in Trujillo, Venezuela. Other than himself, Sanchez’s mother is the only other member of his family dedicated to fashion. Making special-occasion dresses in her own store, she is still the best seamstress and patternmaker he has ever met. “Growing up, I always liked sketching and helping my mom at her store,” he says.
Sanchez began his career in architecture in Caracas after studying post-modern architecture at Universidad Simón Bolivar. During that time, he continued sketching for his mother’s business. “Fashion was keeping my attention more than the architecture,” he recalls, so he transitioned, already educated by his mother’s wisdom on fabrics, female proportions, and cutting techniques.
With his mother as his business partner, he set up shop in the garage of his family home in Valera. “I sent the sketches [from Caracas] by fax, and she made the dresses,” Sanchez says, chuckling at the memory.
The rest is history. Angel Sanchez USA is now headquartered on fashion avenue (7th Avenue) in New York City. Famous for his aesthetic, Sanchez marries his love of architecture and discipline for perfect lines in his fashions. His women’s wear has been described as elegant, timeless, feminine, architectural, and modern with a dash of sexiness. “In terms of proportions, every cut and every line has some type of connection with architecture,” he says.
After having made a name for himself in evening and bridal-wear, this year Sanchez takes a break from the romantic night and creates vibrant, daylight-inspired silhouettes. He debuted his brilliant spring/summer 2015 collection, Into the Light, at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and gives HE insight on the fresh, new line.
