(Credit: Isaac White)
This is why Miguel Torres is a freak. He’s a fashion designer with Oprah-like philanthropic aspirations who personally sells his wares at flea markets—and at dramatically lower prices than retailers carrying the very same designs. “A lot of people ask me why I continue to sell my work at flea markets. For me, it’s not just about the money. I love interacting with my customers,” the Mexico-born designer says. The only thing more surprising than the sincerity with which Torres makes such statements is the clientele the one-man bargain stand boasts: Drew Barrymore, Prince and Paris Hilton are frequent wearers.
Take one glance at Torres’ brightly colored collection of kimono-inspired dresses constructed of Pucci-esque prints, and you may wonder who exactly the designer thinks can pull off his creations. “I design for the artsy, daring, free-spirited girl,” he says. “Somebody who can go out at night wearing the same dress she wore during the day and still make it work. Somebody who is versatile.” Torres’ designs—laced with leather, feathers and fur—evoke a cute, quirky, Carrie Bradshaw aesthetic.
To be chameleon-like is almost a requirement of those who wear a Miguel Torres, as his work is constantly changing—even after the point of purchase. “When I created my signature eight-way wrap dress, I only intended it to be worn one way,” Torres explains. “Shortly after, I ran into a customer who was wearing it as a top. Then, a close friend of mine wore it to a party as a skirt, and that’s when I started experimenting with its functionality. Now the dress comes with an instruction manual so anyone can see the many different ways it can be worn.”
Citing designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg and Gianni Versace as influences, Torres also refers to Oprah Winfrey as a major source of inspiration. “I’m going to meet her someday, I just know it,” he says. “There’s a lot I want to do that would help people in other countries. I want to have the same relationship that Oprah has with Africa, but with Mexico.” For now, however, by offering his designs at up to 95 percent off what they might cost in a boutique, Torres is happy to be charitable toward the fashion-forward people of L.A.
Marcos Luevanos is Style editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
