FAST 2023: Lisbeth Rodriguez entwines chic aesthetics with unconventional fabrics in ‘Unique’

Lisbeth Rodriguez is breaking the traditional fashion mold with her collection “Unique.”

The third-year Spanish, community and culture student will showcase her designs on Friday for Fashion and Student Trends’ annual runway show. After initially joining FAST as a model last year, Rodriguez said she has pieced together a collection for the runway while also running marketing campaigns for FAST as their marketing director. Making her design debut for the organization this year, she has introduced the six-look collection, “Unique,” which she said is chic and with out-of-the-ordinary materials and inspirations. She said she is drawn towards envisioning elegant aesthetics with an unusual twist, both in marketing and fashion design.

“I am into creating (designs) that are odd, different and just fun,” Rodriguez said. “My mission was to be different or odd or not use common fabrics.”

Rodriguez first developed an interest in fashion through her mother, she said, who cultivated Rodriguez’s experimentation with clothing and sense of style. Moreover, she added that her mother inspired her to take pride in her unique fashion sense, which she said had a large influence on her desire to create innovative looks for the FAST runway. Following this vision, Rodriguez said her work for “Unique” is inspired by various fashion designers, including Watanabe’s statement pieces, Iris van Herpen’s technology-infused fashions and Moschino’s unconventional collections.