Associated Press Writer, Mexico City
Louis Verdad has come a long way from designing frothy ballroom dresses for 15-year-old Hispanic debutantes in Atlanta.
The Mexican-American fashion designer got his start with the quinceanera crowd, but now he designs for stars like Madonna, Cate Blanchett, Cher, Paris Hilton, Halle Berry and Oprah Winfrey.
Today, he is known for designing the two-piece cashmere suit Madonna wore during her famous kiss with Britney Spears and Aguilera during the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. After that, the material girl acquired a whole collection from Verdad.
Now a favorite of Eva Longoria Parker, he has to compete with designers fighting to dress her for free.
“She is at a place where everyone wants to dress her, everyone wants to give her things, and I don’t give my designs away,” he said.
Verdad, wearing simple, plaid bermudas, a pink T-shirt and a fedora hat before the show, said he always wants to be true to himself.
“I never boast about being the best,” he said. “I boast about being authentic.”
It hasn’t been easy. He doesn’t like to talk about his bad experiences. “I’m keeping those for myself and to learn from,” he said.
Now, Verdad said he finds himself in a “moment of peace and incredible calm.”
But despite his success in Hollywood, Verdad still sees himself as a Mexican, despite his U.S. citizenship.
“I grew up in Mexico, so my culture is what I bring to my fashion, my style,” he said: “My name is Mexican, and I’m proud of that. Everywhere I go, I represent myself as a Latino. I’m not interested in representing myself as an American. In fact, to the U.S. press I always say: ‘I’m a Mexican designer.’ “
