Candy Toledo
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Brazil, in the central western state of Mato Grosso do Sul, but most of my teenage and adult life was spent in the south-eastern state of São Paulo. I moved to the USA in 2001 and lived around Dallas and Boston.
When did your interest / passion for design and fashion begin?
The passion for fashion runs deep in my family, but mostly it came from my grandmother – a professional seamstress with a certain notoriety in the place where she lived. My brothers and I grew up around pins and sewing needles and exposed to fashion since early childhood. One of my brothers became an Art Teacher and later a Director of a Fashion School and I studied Fashion Design and have been working in this field for a long time.
What did you study in school / where did you go to school?
My early instruction of clothing construction came from my grandmother. It went from making doll clothes to full fashion creations of my own. Once I came to Boston I concluded my formal education in the School of Fashion Design on Newbury Street.
Tell me a little about your background / experience in design as well as production?
During my childhood and teenage years, my experience was largely the creation of clothing for my family. However in early adulthood I started my own business of creating and constructing fashionable dresses for others. Eventually the business expanded to include a line of children’s clothing with distribution through retail stores in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
What are a few personal interests outside of fashion/design?
I have a keen interest in art and I love movies – especially watching movies with great costume design!
What is your favorite Alice Walk style?
The sleeveless version of our crewneck circle-skirt dress
What is your favorite Alice Walk fabric?
Our floral embroidery lace!