Chatting with Juliana Horner

We’re so excited that we had the pleasure of getting to chat with fabric designer Juliana Horner. If you have not heard of Juliana, she is the daughter of renowned designer Anna Maria Horner. She currently attends Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and is a senior Fashion Design major. Her passions include drawing and fashion, and she likes to change her hair a lot! Juliana also has her own line of fabrics that you can find at Jo-Ann here.

From chatting with Juliana, we’ve found that she’s young, fun and has a true love for creativity! After you read her Q&A, be sure to share with us which one of her fabrics is your favorite!

Tell us a little about yourself...

I'm from Nashville, Tennessee and the daughter of Anna Maria Horner I come from a big family, the oldest of 7 kids, the last of which was born this past June! I've always loved drawing and creating in every way possible. I simply love making things.

Who/what was your influence to start designing fabric?

My mother has probably been the biggest influence in my decision to design fabric; I have been surrounded by colorful prints and motifs for a long time.

Where do you get the inspiration for your fabric designs?

I draw inspiration from a lot of different places, it's never one thing. I feel like I have archives of visual things in my brain that I retrieve by sketching and doodling. From my art, I can derive print motifs that I like. I love the color of Henry Darger's paintings, and am continually amazed by the fabric of William Morris.

What's your favorite part of being a fabric designer?

I love drawing! That's easy. I also love that other people can make things out of what I make- they can turn it into something even more beautiful.

What is a project that you are most proud of?

This year at school, I'm working on my senior collection (I'm a Fashion Design major). In May 2014, I will have made a full collection of clothing with 8+ outfits. Working on a single thing so hard and for so long will certainly be the thing I am most proud of.

Someone says, "I'm not creative." How do you respond?

You are, too! Everyone has the ability to be creative- it's a mindset of letting go of what you think is the right way to do things. Even just trying something, failing, and then capitalizing on those "mistakes" is being creative.

Do you have any advice to young women early on in their careers like yourself?

Don't give up! Every hard part of this process is something you will be proud of overcoming in the end and stronger because of it. If you finally earn that thing that you want and realize you are underwhelmed, remember that getting there means as much, if not more, than the reward.

For more on Juliana follow her on Twitter and Tumblr!