Young Project Runway Designer, Matt Sarafa, Debuts New Fashion Line

Setting the fashion world on fire with his new clothing line HOT ME$$, which was released this fall, fierce designer Matt Sarafa has an aesthetic all his own and is a rising talent to keep an eye on. Already winning audiences over as fan favorite as the “Project Runway Juniors” standout star, the remarkably talented young designer proved he has what it takes to survive under the strenuous pressure of the fashion industry. Mentored by Emmy Award winner Tim Gunn, Matt is ready to release his unisex clothing line to people around the world this fall. Matt is a force to be reckoned with. Matt took some time to share his journey with us at QG in a candid interview. Check it out in its entirety below, enjoy!

What inspired you to start?

I got into fashion after watching a Project Runway marathon at age 7 with my mom. 

What keeps you motivated?

I know what I want to do with my career & I know what goals I want to eventually reach, so I try to stay focused on my own work & not let anyone or anything get in my way.

What does your brand represent?

My brand represents all the bad bitches in the world who aren’t afraid to stand out & be their authentic selves. I want people who wear my clothes to feel confident and feel like they can take over the world.

Whom are some your style inspirations?

I have so many style inspirations. I love pop culture & I get inspired by celebrities like Rihanna, Lady GaGa, Jeffree Star, and even drag queens! I love people who exude confidence and style, and are unapologetically unique.

How would you define your personal style?

I would describe my personal style as edgy, unique, and ever-changing. I love blurring gender lines both in my designs & in my personal style.

What did you draw inspiration from for your current line?

I actually got the idea for my HOT ME$$ line from episode 2 of Project Runway Junior. I came up with the graphic design you see on the back of my “Bad Bit¢h Bomber Jacket” after being inspired by the judges’ not so stellar critiques of my unconventional outfit.

What advice would you give to someone who would like to start a fashion business?

The fashion industry is definitely cutthroat. You have to have a really thick skin to survive in the fashion world, but it’s 100% worth it if you truly love fashion & design. For someone just starting out, I think it’s super important to build your resume by doing as many internships as possible, and creating a strong portfolio with all of your designs.

What is a random and/or interesting fact about each of you?

A random fact about me that everyone seems surprised to hear is that I’m fluent in Spanish. I’ve been speaking Spanish since I was 5 years old. My mom spent a lot of her young adult life in Mexico, and it was really important to her that her kids grew up in a bilingual household.

11. With much success with your brand, what’s next for you?

I’m super humbled by all the success the HOT ME$$ line has had so far. I’m already working on the next line, and I’m so excited for it. It’s been such a great learning & growing experience getting to launch my own clothing line & I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me! 

Check out Hot Me$$ and follow Matt on Twitter and Instagram.

Photo Credit: Brooke Mason

#Fashion #HotMess #MattSarafa