The Return of Mayda Cisneros
A top Gables fashion designer sets up shop in the La Palma building
“This is a magical place,” says Mayda Cisneros. “I could never find anything else like it… the perfect spot where I could be really, really in touch with my creativity, because the building is all about that. There are only a few people here and they all love what they do.”
What Cisneros is talking about is her new atelier in the restored La Palma, a 1924 Mediterranean Revival building that was one of Coral Gables’ first hotels. Her last design shop, prior to COVID, was on Palermo Avenue, where she fitted clients for eight years. Before that she was in the Collection Building on Ponce at Bird Road. But nothing compares, she says, with her cozy second story studio at La Palma.
“I was waiting for this place for over three years, while they were remodeling,” says Cisneros, who knew the owners at Maven Realty who were restoring the building. “I said, ‘I want that back corner there.’ And they saved me that corner, which is this corner.”
The unique space befits Cisneros, who specializes in creating unique designs for her clients, many of whom are affluent philanthropists in the Gables who attend seasonal charity balls. Among her clients are Sissy DeMaria, who hosts the annual Coral Gables Community Foundation gala, Gloria Estefan, for whom she is designing a gown for her upcoming Kennedy Center honors, and Swanee DiMare, a major supporter of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
“Mayda has designed and made about five gowns for me,” says DiMare. “She’s very creative and detailed oriented – always super friendly and very professional — and flexible with my suggestions!”
Well, up to a point, says Cisneros. “We work with your time and with your budget,” she says. “But with fabrics, I don’t really give too much.” Cisneros gets her fabrics from Italy and France, “so, I don’t work with somebody saying, ‘I have this fabric.’ I design with a fabric I pick, and you give me an idea of your inspiration, and I work with your inspiration… and I’m going to work with the best part of your body or the worst part that you want to hide. Those things are very important.”
The typical Cisneros gown takes about a month and a half to two months — unless you are a regular or “very special person” who needs a dress in a hurry. She produces several hundred a year but has “thousands” of ideas. “You have ideas, and you sketch them out for a collection. Some things you show to clients to see if they like the ideas, and if they buy them. Some never make it that season — some of it clicks and some of it doesn’t — but then you save it for the next season.”
While many designers follow the latest fashion colors, Cisneros says she pays more attention to what looks good on a client. “You know, everyone has their own color, and it’s very important to be in touch with who you are, what looks good on you, and what you’re comfortable with.”
As for the latest work at her new atelier, she says, “I’ve always done very streamlined and very simple. That’s what I’m known for. For simplicity — simplicity with a twist. And sexy in a very classic manner.”