Stylist Spotlight: Valentina Mahecha
One of StyldLife’s talented stylists is embarking on a new career venture: her brand new bridal line, VAL.
Stylist Valentina Mahecha is ready to style the bridal party, wedding guests, mother of the bride, and more with her new bridal line, VAL, featuring entirely custom pieces that she styles from fabric choices to finishing touches. This inclusive bridal line is available worldwide at ValMahecha.com.
As a recent bride, Valentina realized she didn't want her bridal party to have to purchase a dress they would only wear once. Three months before her wedding, she created a personalized dress for each bridesmaid that was made to their measurements, took their body into account, and that they could wear again to other events. After her wedding, Valentina found herself getting more and more bridal clients. She styled a bride and bridal party in France, where Valentina created a textile for the bridesmaid to bring to seamstresses to have a custom dress made for the wedding.
From there, Valentina began to research and found there was a lack of size-inclusive bridal wear that didn’t restrict how many times someone would be able to use the piece. There’s a lack of styling assistance in the bridal industry that begins with what fabric to choose and heavily incorporates personal style to create a look that is entirely unique and can be used again in the future. Rather than bridal lines where the bride or bridal party has to accommodate to what is out there, Valentina is creating her client’s dream outfit, pieces that they can wear together or separately to events to come. Initially, the line was only bridesmaids, but Valentina found her vision for her brand quickly expanding to include everyone from the mother of the bride, to guests, and includes both men and women.
Photos by Miguel Aguilera @miguelrac
The styling process is cohesive and goes from head to toe. The line emphasizes individuality, as Valentina says, “People look best in their own style”.
“When I style people, I’m a stylist who wants you to look your best in your own style, not making you look like someone else. We get lost in social media, but it’s what is best for you. I advise clients on how to dress and what fabrics based on their body type.”
With Valentina’s line, VAL, you can select a combination of three pieces, from two pants, two skirts, a vest, a blazer, and a variety of tops, including sleeveless, puffed sleeves, feathers, and more. From there, Valentina works with the client to select the right fabrics to use for each piece and, as a textile designer, Valentina can create someone a print to make the piece even more special and unique. Since each piece is created from scratch, the line is size-inclusive and made to someone’s measurements. Don’t worry, Valentina even teaches her clients how to take their measurements!
Valentina was invited to the 2024 Latin Grammy’s in Miami on November 14th. Not only did she style Viniloversus, a Venezuelan rock band, but she rocked pieces from her own line on the red carpet.
