Who Is The ‘Project Runway’ Winning Designer That Happily Promotes He Dresses a Trump?
At a time where many fashion designers have announced that they refuse to dress the First Lady, or any of the Trumps, Project Runway: Under The Gunn designer, Oscar Garcia-Lopez, has seemed to find his fashion muse in Lara Trump.
The Under The Gunn winner suddenly found his name front and center, because he is dressing Lara, and is proud to be dressing a Trump.
Over the past 10 months, the Cuban-born designer has been designing a lot of Eric Trump wife’s gorgeous clothing, including the colorful dresses she wore at two of the presidential debates, a stunning red party dress for New Year’s, and the gorgeous gold gown that Lara wore at the inauguration.
Garcia-Lopez met Lara Trump through a mutual friend. The two hit it off right away, with Trump saying “You’re kind of like a little bit of genius, Oscar.” First, they collaborated on a photo shoot at Mar-a-Lago, which the Coral Gables based designer described as “beautiful.”
Soon after, the designer created two vibrant dresses for the debates, so after Donald Trump was elected, Oscar knew she would need something stunning for the inauguration ball. He told the 7 News Miami that he boldly asked her if perhaps, she wanted him to design a dress for this spectacular event? Her response, “Of course! I was thinking about that.”
Garcia-Lopez did not have to watch Lara wear his gorgeous gown on television, but instead, got a close-up view, as he was invited to the inauguration ball!
The gown was beautiful and luxe! Both sexy and elegant at the same time, the sparkly, long sleeved, backless lace top of the gown showed off Lara’s toned figure. The slim gold skirt was a simple contrast to the ornate top. Lara Trump looked stunning!
Realizing the American dream, this all must seem like a whirlwind for Oscar Garcia-Lopez! Now, if he could add the First Lady to his client list. Oscar’s designs would be a perfect fit for Melania Trump.
According to Ocean Drive, the Cuban-born Garcia-Lopez was a self-taught fashion designer, learning his skills by watching “local seamstresses.” A graduate of the Tropicana dance school, Garcia-Lopez belonged to a singing group that traveled throughout Latin America. This was an opportunity for Oscar to create costumes for the troupe, his very first designs. Then, in 2004, at the age of 31, he moved to the United States to realize his fashion dream.
While in Miami, Garcia-Lopez started at the bottom, working for another designer. Some of his tasks were fittings, designing garments, and charming the customers with his charismatic personality. Soon, he moved from there, and brought along his adoring customers to a new spot!
Then, in 2014, he had the opportunity to join a different type of Project Runway. This was Under The Gunn. Although the show was hosted by Tim Gunn, former Project Runway designers, Nick Verreos, Mondo Guerra, and Anya Ayoung-Chee, were mentors to the designers on the show. The designers chose their mentors, and formed into three teams. In each challenge, one team was the winner, and another the loser. Only one team was ever safe. From the winning team, one designer was chosen as the winner, and from the losing team, one designer was sent home.
When designer Oscar was on the only season of the Project Runway offshoot, he impressed fellow designers, Tim Gunn, as well as his mentor Nick Verreos. His fast sewing, his upbeat attitude and his ability to make everything look more luxe made him a show favorite. He never got involved in any drama. He was kind to everyone. Oscar was always done first, and promptly swept around him. If anyone was struggling, he would go over and helped them out. He wowed the judges every single week, being in the top in six challenges, winning three.
Although Garcia-Lopez looked like he was ahead of the other designers, he insists that the experience stretched him, and he learned a lot from participating in the show.
“I learned so much about myself and what I can produce from [Under the Gunn]. Now I love anything that forces me outside my comfort zone.”
Designer Rachel Roy, who was a judge on the show, loved his work so much that she had Oscar design her 2014 Met Gala dress, as well as her dress for the Kardashian-West wedding.
Are you a Project Runway: Under The Gunn fan and following the career of Oscar Garcia-Lopez?
[Featured Image by Joe Raedle/Getty Images]
