Isabella Springmuhl Tejada

Isabella Springmuhl Tejada (nickname, Belita; born 23 February 1997)[1] is a Guatemalan fashion designer. She is noted for reportedly being the first fashion designer to have Down syndrome. Under her brand Down to Xjabelle, she creates sustainable designs using colorful Guatemalan fabrics. She is using the power of fashion to challenge the stereotypes and social discrimination she has experienced in response to her condition.[2] Her designs were showcased at the International Fashion Showcase segment of London Fashion Week in 2016. The same year she was voted one of the BBC 100 Women.

Isabella Springmuhl Tejada
Born (1997-02-23) 23 February 1997
NationalityGuatemalan
Occupationfashion designer

Background

Springmuhl is the youngest of four children. Her maternal grandmother was a talented designer herself, and she displayed talent as a young girl in drawing and making clothes for her dolls. After graduating from college as a bachelor in Sciences and Letters, she applied to study fashion but was rejected because of her Down syndrome. She was eventually admitted to a school to study it.[3]

Style

In her designs, Springmuhl is influenced by Guatemalan folklore. She has worked with numerous indigenous Guatemalan artists who are an influence on her. She makes accessories, wallets, ponchos and dresses, inspired by the culture of her country. She has also makes clothing designed especially for people with her condition.[3] Her designs are typically vibrant, with colourful floral embroidery using old Guatemalan textiles. The BBC says of her designing: "She has her own unique design process. It starts with hand-picking vintage, authentic Guatemalan textiles from her trusted supplier in Antigua which are then taken back to her atelier and worked on by a seamstress and an embroidery expert, all according to Isabella's specifications."[4]

Acclaim

In 2015, Springmuhl was invited to showcase her work at the Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Textiles and Clothing in Guatemala. It was a success, and she sold out of her collection. She has since grown in popularity, and her designs were shown in Panama.[3][4] In 2016 her dresses were showcased at the International Fashion Showcase segment of London Fashion Week. In October 2016 she was invited to Rome to showcase her designs. For her contribution to fashion and work, despite her condition, she was voted one of the BBC 100 Women in 2016.[3]

In 2017, Isabella Springmuhl was portrayed by the Austrian photographer Manfred Scheucher,[5] and she also talked about her experiences in a video.[6] The photos were published in magazines worldwide and were also exhibited for months at the Austrian outdoor exhibition "Menschenbilder OÖ 2017".[7][8][9][10]

In 2021, she created a collection for and participated in Latin Fashion Week Colorado.[11]

References
  1. "Isabella Springmühl de Guatemala rumbo al London Fashion Week 2016". National Down Syndrome Congress. 21 January 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  2. Ramos Cacciatore, Manuela. "Isabella Springmuhl brings inclusive Guatemalan designs to the fashion world". WIPO Magazine.
  3. "Quién es Isabella Springmühl, la exitosa diseñadora de moda con Síndrome de Down" (in Spanish). Infobae.com. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  4. Khawaja, Ahmen (29 November 2016). "100 Women 2016: Designing clothes for people with Down's syndrome". BBC. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  5. "Portraits of Isabella Springmuhl, Guatemala".
  6. "Isabella Springmuhl - Down to Xjabelle - english in Manfred Scheucher Fotografie - www.manfred-scheucher.at". 22 March 2017.
  7. "Menschenbilder OÖ 2015-2019 in Manfred Scheucher Fotografie - www.manfred-scheucher.at". 21 July 2019.
  8. "19.7.2017 Menschenbilder OÖ - Aufbau Gmunden in Manfred Scheucher Fotografie - www.manfred-scheucher.at". 20 July 2017.
  9. "9.8.2017 Bad Hall, Aufbau Menschenbilder OÖ in Manfred Scheucher Fotografie - www.manfred-scheucher.at". 10 August 2017.
  10. "28.6.2017 Enns - Menschenbilder OÖ 2017 - Aufbau in Manfred Scheucher Fotografie - www.manfred-scheucher.at". 29 June 2017.
  11. "Denver County Court hosts Latin Fashion Week Colorado 2021". El Comercio de Colorado (in Spanish). 13 September 2021. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
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