Fashion / graphic designer Natacha Lacosse is the founder of Acossi jeans and Acossi Company 2010, she began her career in the fashion world by experimenting with denim, paint, rhinestones, and other items as a way to escape the often dull and saturated market of jeans and jackets. Through her close research of trade shows, runways, early adopters, and street-trends, she began to channel her fresh look to new and exciting designs. Starting with jeans and later adding jackets to their line, the internationally contemporary streetwear and casual feel began to take hold. From the streets of Paris to Milan and back to New York City where she currently resides in the North East, coming from Miami Beach Florida.
Natacha philosophy with products that are chic, cool, sleek, and transcend cross-cultural gender nuances and her years of experience doing design work for other brands, Lacosse introduced Acossi Jeans as a ready-to-wear fashion line for both men and women that combines a unique mix of elegant, casual, and contemporary pieces. She has created Acossi Collection which will be a feature as a more upscale contemporary design line, as she continues to focus on the present brand Acossi jeans which is a mid-scale line.
How was your University time?
Well, I feel like I really took my time seriously during my college years, I attended Miami Dade College and went to an Art School Pratt Manhattan, I took too many classes per semester because I just wanted to finish and get to the real world quickly as I can. I felt I was in a hurry. I studied a lot but loved my art classes and I was lucky to have some great professors that taught me the graphic design field as a hands-on. I realize how important it is to have a prepared portfolio to present your skills and capabilities as a designer.
Why did you choose a career in this field?
I chose Graphic Design as a career, because I felt it would be a field I can be versatile by expressing my creative talents in different areas.
I was able to work as a package designer with Unilever also within different firms within fashion brands I worked as a creative artist and found myself as an architect 3D designer, a web designer, and a UI designer to name a few. So from my experience as a
graphic designer I later decide to get into the fashion world, which I was self taught by learning the business through certain books and using my knowledge as a creative designer and learning how to create patterns and sewing.
What was your first job or nuggets from jobs you had that helped you get to where you are today?
My first job in my career, while I was still attending college but took it as a work experience, so my first career job was working as a Web designer in Miami Florida.
How did you prepare for the interview?
I try to just be myself and stay confidence.
Can you provide some book recommendations?
Yes, so many great books that can help you learn tricks and about your industry;
My chosen books are Creativity & Problem Solving by Brain Tracy, Adobe Illustrator WOW! CC – CS6, The Hidden Power of Adobe Photoshop by Scott Valentine, Learning Maya 7 The Special Effects Handbook, 3D Animation for the Raw Beginner Using Maya, The Fashion Designer Survival Guide – Start and Run Your Own Fashion Business, What Would the Rockefellers Do?
Things are changing very fast in the industry; how do you keep yourself updated. Please list techniques or newsletters, podcasts, events, etc.
Any advice about CVs?
Because my company was mostly an online business and I was already working with people around the world remotely when I’m not traveling to a meeting, I feel I was already ahead of the game but seeing today how almost all industries are changing to what I was already doing is kind of a door opening and brings a bit of opportunity because I have experience criticisms for being more like virtual online business. But I have no regrets now.
My biggest advice in whatever you determine to do in life is to have the passion and continue building your portfolio even if your not where you want to be yet. Also, be around people that can be a mentor and listen more and take notes. I feel today there is no right way nor wrong way but just be creative in marketing yourself or business, I would say social media is a good way to start by placing Ads starting from a low-cost budget as low as $10 for example, doing podcast events also live events using mediums such as TikTok and Instagram beside Youtube, which I feel are the best way to go. As you already know the way to create conferences and meetings is by using Zoom or Webinar, however, I use zoom more than the other but they are both great sources of virtual users. But one thing I can say is to have a great portfolio to present your skill because sometimes it’s not the degree you have it’s the skills, experience, and capabilities that most of the time will give you an opportunity.
Advice for someone looking for a job?
Looking for a job, all depends on what you are fishing for, I can only say believe in yourself first and know whatever you’re looking for your capabilities are able to fulfill it by your experiences and what you can add to a company. I feel a straight to a point resume with at least several companies showing your experiences within your field. At the same time, it depends on what type of job which certain jobs will decide on interview and portfolio and doesn’t pay much mind to the resume. Also, I feel that most people just have to start thinking like an entrepreneur as a backup plan.
Why do you think you were selected among other candidates?
For one thing, I know from experience, sometimes you’re selected among other candidates by having the interviewer remember something unique from the interview that’s related to what they are looking for.
Lessons from jobs that you couldn’t get.
I feel that you can’t please everyone and not everywhere you go will decide to select you, but one thing I do know is never giving up, one door closes sometimes gets you to find a better opportunity. Also means sometimes it’s an opportunity to just start thinking like a business person and create your own.
also read: My Story From Studying Engineering to Entrepreneur, Investor, and CEO
