Designer Profile: Caterina
Name: Caterina Gutierrez
Major: Apparel Design
Year: 2013
What do you love about fashion?
I love that fashion is wearable art. It’s the easiest form of self-expression. The most silent, but sometimes the loudest.
How would you describe your personal style in three words?
Comfortable, sparkly, classic.
What is your dream job?
Costume Designer for Film/Theatre.
What are you inspired by right now?
The sights and sounds of San Antonio. I miss home!
What is your favorite place to buy fabric?
Spandex House. SEQUIN SPANDEX, YES!!!
Favorite Class at Cornell Thus Far?
My FWS: In the face of Brutality. Tamra Fallman is the best!
Favorite Spring 2011 Collection?
House of Holland. Love those tights.
Favorite off campus restaurant?
Simeon’s. Classy.
Last book you read?
Chelsea Handler’s “Are You there Vodka? It’s me, Chelsea.” Great plane read.
What are you loving right now in your closet?
My black sequin skirt. I wear that thing everywhere.
What is your current state of mind?
Chill. I had a great night’s sleep, it’s been a while since I’ve said that.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being home surrounded by the people and things I love.
What is your greatest fear?
To be unsatisfied with my life.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Frida Kahlo.
Which living person do you most admire?
My mother. She’s a godsend.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Sometimes I don’t care enough. It used to be the opposite, but I think I could afford to take things a little more seriously sometimes.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Perfectionism. I don’t think anything is that serious. People would be a lot happier if they learned to laugh about things every now and then.
What is it that you most dislike?
Allergies. I’d be much happier without them.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My Barbie bag. It’s definitely not something that I necessarily needed, but once I saw it I knew I had to have it.
What do you most value in your friends?
That they’ve become like family so soon. I don’t know what I’d do without them.
What is your favorite journey?
Road trips. Especially the long ones through the desert. I’ve taken the trip from Texas to California a couple times, and each trip is more magical than the other. Waking up to a desert sunrise while listening to The Eagles’ ‘Tequila Sunrise’ is something that just feels right.
What is your most treasured possession?
My quinceñera dress. It’s one of the last things my grandma bought me and it reminds me of good times.
When and where were you happiest?
The fall of my sophomore year of high school. The relationship between my two best friends and I grew really strong that October. I miss that feeling.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Getting into Cornell. It’s cliché, but It was definitely a defining moment in my life.
If you died and came back as a person or thing what do you think it would be?
A dragonfly, many times. They have such short lives, but I’d love to imagine what I’d do in that one day of life.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My humor. I’ve always wanted to be a comedian. Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who thinks I’m funny.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Forrest Gump. He’s a genius.
What is your motto?
You win some, you lose some….and don’t forget to flush.
