Maritza Fernandez

Designer & Owner, Filomena Fernandez

May 2018

Maritza Fernandez graduated from fashion school in Caracas, Venezuela at the age of 21, and then moved to Japan, where she started working for a high-end brand as fashion design assistant. Four years later she brought that brand – Kyoko Higa – to the U.S., where she spent the next 20 years promoting it. Six years ago, she founded her own shop and line in Coral Gables, named for her grandmother Filomena.

I believe the type of things I do…belongs to the Gables

LATEST ACHIEVEMENT

Launched her Spring/Summer line in April, based on Moroccan colors and themes, with a runway show at her Gables boutique (see page 22). 

WHAT SHE SAYS 

“I have lived in Coral Gables for 26 years, and I love it, so when I thought to open a shop I thought only Coral Gables. Mine is more of a classic type of look than the beach, so I didn’t see myself in South Beach. I believe the type of things I do and the price points belong to the Gables. Even though we do get a lot of tourists here, we cater to the people who live here,” she says. “My lines are very simple and clean. I believe in clean cuts, but with clean cuts if you don’t do something feminine, then it’s too structured, which is why I use colors and prints and lace. It gives femininity to it.”