The dark artistry of fashion maven, Eva Garzotto | Humans of Catlin Gabel
By Amare Kaainoa ‘24
Courtesy of Lola Conner - Eva Garzotto wearing one of her pieces, titled “The Mareridt”
In the vibrant world of fashion, where trends often reflect the zeitgeist of society, here emerges a designer whose creations transcend the ordinary. Senior Eva Garzotto, a visionary in the realm of fashion, has carved a niche for herself with her powerful pieces that evoke a sense of allure.
Garzotto’s journey into the world of fashion began at an early age. Garzotto said she has “always been interested in fashion,” and because of this never really had a defining moment or point of realization, “fashion has always just been it,” she said. “When I think about being creative, there’s not really another option.”
Looking back on the early days of her designing career, Garzotto recalls her first purchase after obtaining her first ever paycheck, a sewing machine. To Garzotto, this was more than just a simple purchase, it was a mark of dedication. “When you invest your own time and money into something it means a lot more to you,” she said.
The sewing machine, once a mere instrument, became a symbol of empowerment and self-expression. It marked the beginning of a career that will hopefully see her make significant strides in the fashion industry, all rooted in the belief that true dedication is the catalyst for extraordinary success.
One of Garzotto’s defining features is her commitment to craftsmanship. Each piece in her collection is a testament to hours of meticulous work, as she combines traditional techniques with avant-garde concepts. She adopted part of this approach from her experience in foreign fashion and design programs, spending the summer of 2023 studying fashion craftsmanship in Paris, France and Copenhagen, Denmark.
Reflecting on her experience at Parsons Fashion Summer Course in Paris, Garzotto notes how “the program that I was in was, to be honest, a lot of spoiled rich kids with no talent… not the kind of fashion environment that I want to be in.”
This being said, the experience of being around other young designers and outshining the majority only further proves that her talent is far beyond average. “That program was what really taught me that I have what it takes for the fashion industry,” she said.
Despite this boost of confidence, Garzotto’s experience in Paris was far from easy. When looking back on her classes, Garzotto recalls the one thing all her teachers had in common: brutal honesty. “If I made something and they didn’t like it, like it just wasn’t good enough, they’d say, ‘seam rip the whole thing because this fabric is valuable and what you’ve created is not.’ ”
Where some may cower in the face of such harsh criticism, Garzotto saw it as an opportunity to grow. “Although the first two weeks in that program I probably cried in the bathroom every single day, it taught me to be tough and to accept that criticism with open arms.”
Despite the harshness, Garzotto would take the Parisian criticism over Catlin Gabel’s praise. Speaking on her experience at Catlin Gabel, Garzotto said, “I feel like often people will tell me that my art is cool or good or interesting, and as an artist and a designer it’s nice to hear but it’s not what I need. I need that person that’s gonna be harsh and tell it to me how it is.”
Although the attitude Garzotto experienced at the Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design in Copenhagen was similar to that of Paris, their specific approach to design had a heavy emphasis on sustainability and quality over quantity. As a fashion capital, Denmark is known for taking pride in cultivating closets that last lifetimes.
“Although they want you to think outside the box, they also want you to think about timelessness and sourcing sustainably. ‘What is another way you could do this that is not just better for the design but better for the planet?’ ”
This approach to design is apparent in her most recent piece, a straight suit adorned in trinkets, aiming to showcase the issue of mass consumerism and materialistic needs in today’s society. This piece, titled The Collector, was greatly inspired by fellow fashion designer Vivian Westwood and her activism on overconsumption.
Garzotto describes her intention behind this piece as “wanting to comment on how we are trapped in cycles of consumerism and materialism and how society around us is designed to make us feel like we have to consume more in order to attain this feeling of self-worth.”
Courtesy of Lola Conner - Eva Garzotto
wearing “The Collector”
While designing The Collector, Garzotto thought about her own experiences and habits as a consumer in today’s society. “I know that I buy a lot. I buy a lot of clothes. I buy fabric. I buy things,” she said.
This contemplation was a crucial part of the process for Garzotto, as she believes “it's really important to see yourself in the art that you're making and have that personal connection.” This deep thinking showcases Garzotto’s maturity throughout her designing process, as someone who aims to connect with her art in an emotional sense rather than solely physical.
Garzotto’s design philosophy is rooted in the belief that clothing should be an extension of one's innermost self. Her pieces are not mere garments; they are wearable works of art that allow the wearer to channel their inner strength and embrace the shadows within. From flowing gowns to sharply tailored straight suits, Garzotto’s creations are a celebration of the multifaceted nature of human emotion, expression, and experience.
Looking forward, Garzotto has a clear vision of what’s to come. “I'm going to take my gap year. I'm going to go study at the most prestigious fashion school in the world, and then I'm going to graduate having made a lot of friends with the same passions as me and hopefully have met a business partner that sees the same kind of vision as me,” she said. You can expect to see Garzotto forming her very own fashion line, complete with “clothes, jewelry, and bags.”
In a world that often celebrates the bright and the bold, Garzotto’s pieces offer a refreshing alternative—a reminder that true beauty can lie in the depths of the shadows. Through her creations, she invites us to embrace the enigma within ourselves and to wear it proudly, like a second skin that exudes confidence, strength, and a touch of the unknown. Eva Garzotto is not just a fashion designer; she is a sorceress of style, weaving spells of allure with every stitch.