In preparation for the March 28 kick off of the Tamarac Square Fashion Project, The Cat's Pajamas got in touch with each of the finalists and asked them a series of questions about themselves, their views on fashion and random other must-knows (red chili or green chile; Ritter or Hickenlooper!). Cat will post one a day until for the next twelve days. Here's the first victim...
Name: Armando Thomas Guerra
Company name: Love Mondo Trasho
Years designing: 9
Bio: Armando was born in Denver, but moved to New York City in 1999 after winning the Auraze portfolio contest in 1999. He spent three and a half years there as head designer for the growing juiniorwear company. In a whirlwind of patternmakers, sample rooms, trade shows, and opening major accounts with national and international buyers, he got his education on the job, right off 7th Avenue. When he returned to native ground the change of pace was invigorating and inspired him to launch his private collection, Love Mondo Trasho, in 2002.
Denver celebrity you'd most like to design for? Lani Garrett
Favorite Denver eatery? Sushi Sasa
Favorite local boutique? American Vogue
Favorite fabric? Rayon, stretch knit
Favorite way to finish seams? The correct way?
Prints or solids? Solids, definitely.
Dogs or cats? Can I say monkey?
Favorite guilty pleasure? Pete's Kitchen pork chop breakfast and tomato juice at 2 o'clock in the morning.
Last book you read? I just look at the pictures.
Red chili or green chile? Love red chili, but only if it is homemade by my mom.
New York or L.A.? NEW YORK
Chloe Dao or Jeffrey Sebelia? Jeffery
Loose or tailored? A good mix of both.
Jacqueline Kennedy or Jackie Brown? Jackie, for sure. She's got more FLAVA.
Town or country? Town
Silk charmeuse or silk shantung? Charmeuse
Couture or ready-to-wear? COUTURE
Curvy or androgynous? Androgynous
Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan? Redheads are sexy, Linds.
Michael Kors or Zac Posen? Zac
Jeans or slacks? Depends on the occasion, but jeans mostly.
Bill Ritter or John Hickenlooper? HUH?
Escalade or Prius? Remember the Subaru BRAT? In green.
Vogue or W? V, love the format.
Favorite current couture designer? Pass
Favorite past couture designer? Pass
Sleek or volume? A good mix of both
Form or function? A good mix of both
Favorite place to travel for inspiration? Thrift store
Favorite place to travel for fabric? Between 36th and 39th streets in the Garment District, NYC.
Polkadots or camouflage? Polkadots
Pretty or edgy? If you can make edgy still look pretty you've got something to show
Heidi Klum or Tim Gunn? Tim, he seems a little bit more educated.
