George Moskal studied apparel design at UW Stout and hosted several off-campus fashion shows. He went on to study at American Intercontinental University in London and interned alongside Zandra Rhodes. After college, George Moskal received the first annual Big Break Award for Fashion from Dazed and Confused magazine. Following the competition, George Moskal designed a print-focused capsule collection for Topshop Boutique.

A George Moskal design evokes a timeless elegance, with luxury fabrics, couture techniques and an experimentation of the modern silhouette. George Moskal works out of his downtown studio in the relative quiet of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

To see George's designs in person, be sure to stop by the upcoming Fashion Week MN Spring 2017 Market at Modist Brewing put on by Minneapolis Craft Market.

Talk about the beginnings of your apparel design company. What inspired you to begin this endeavor?

I started out showing at local fashion shows, specifically Voltage and started selling with Design Collective. Which was really the only store working with small Designers at the time.

How has your business evolved? How have you evolved alongside it?

Voltage kind of evolved into MNfashion and the shows, so started showing in a more traditional runway setting. Through MNfashion they held various selling events to buyers of local boutiques. I ended up selling at Arafina when it was in The Galleria but being just myself it became a little overwhelming with size runs and such. Now, I’m creating more for the fun of creating and playing with new ideas and showing them. I have been selling privately to clients. My goal is to do more selling events like this as well as sell local again and or my own online selling site.

What does your creative process look like from start to finish? What is the most fulfilling part for you?

It can be different each season depending on what inspires me. Usually I start with color and fabric and start draping to get some new silhouette ideas. Kind of in tandem I begin rough sketching any new shapes or ideas I come up with during the draping process. This time however I actually did begin with sketching first, patterning and then picked fabrics closer in to cutting. I usually don’t work in a specific theme anymore, it’s more about me exploring new ideas each season and being free or feeling constrained working on a set theme.

Was clothing design something that immediately 'clicked' for you? Or was it more of a gradual connection?

Definitely, I always wanted to be either a fashion designer or an architect, which is probably why so much of what I do is about building new shapes and silhouettes.

Do you feel like it can be difficult for aspiring artists or designers to feel like they belong or that they've found their path in life? What experience do you have with those types of feelings?

I think it was when I was younger and starting out for sure. However, there is such a great inclusive local fashion and art scene here and everyone wants to help each other out. So, don’t feel shy to ask for help or questions and put your work out there. Even as a peer Designer, I absolutely love seeing new Designers pop up and am always willing to share my work and stories with people just starting out. As well as looking at their work.

Is experimentation and trying to new techniques important to your vision and execution?

Yes. Draping comes naturally to me and I usually have a lot of new draping techniques that I try out each season. This time, I played with some more tailored pieces, less draping, and worked with a more streamlined silhouette. Also this season, I am playing with more lofty textures, beaded tweeds, and chainmail. This is my first time working with chainmail and it is difficult because it’s more like jewelry making than clothing construction.

In terms of living and making in Minnesota, do you feel connected to this place?

Yes, somewhat what I said above. We are fortunate in Minnesota because we have a really tight group of creatives that are more apt to give you support and encouragement than being secretive and competitive.

What do you see for the future of your business?

Hoping to continue doing selling events like this and open an online selling shop. First and foremost, I just want to create and enjoy the process. I figure the business side will come at some point (or not) and I am just happy where I am at on my creative journey.

Do you feel like making and creating through your business allows you to contribute to something larger than yourself?

Yes. I’ve heard authors say this and it does sound a little grandiose but it does often feel like my ideas come from somewhere outside of myself that I cannot really name. That and constant research and play. It’s fashion, it’s not supposed to be too serious. It should make you feel like a million dollars and make you hold your head up higher as well.