When I was a child, I cut holes in my mother’s silk and lace pillow cases. I took a scissors to the sides, and bottom, and cut out holes through which I could slip my head and arms. I made, to the best of my five-year-old ability, a pair tunic dresses for my younger sister and myself. My sister and I wore them everywhere. Eventually my mother found out, and I got into a whole world of trouble! But I was hooked! There was only ever fashion design for me.

My mother dreamed of me becoming a nurse.  After a year of nursing school, I decided that I could never be happy with myself if I didn’t at least try to pursue a career in the fashion industry.  So, I relocated to San Francisco to study fashion design and construction at Academy of Art University. In 2006, I was handpicked to showcase my Senior Collection at the AAU Annual Spring Fashion Show and selected by Macy’s to debut my collection at the Macy’s Passport Show. 

Soon after I graduated from AAU, I went on to worked on various fashion brands which included Hurley International and Lucky Brand Jeans. Today, I work on garment development for several brands (Tommy Bahama, Billy Reid and other threads) under Sourcing Partners, LLC.

My grandmother’s passion for sewing, embroidery, painting, and other textile crafting, inspired me to design from a young age.  Some of my fondest memories are of sitting with my grandmother in her bedroom, working with lace, embroideries, and painting elaborate patterns onto velvet dresses.  I carry her memory with me always and many of my designs are inspired from this love.

-Heather

Contact Me: hg.arcega@gmail.com