Sasha Solana: Revolutionizing Fashion for Curvier Women with House of Solana.

Published on 26 December 2024, by Shin Min-Hae | Seoul, South Korea

Fashion designer and CEO of “House of Solana,” started sewing at age 16. Realizing before she began sewing that there wasn’t any flattering or stylish clothing for her size, which was both uncomfortable and frustrating, she made the decision to study the fashion industry. With barely any plus-size influence and relying only on big house designers for style inspiration, she strived toward filling the massive gap in the industry that often turned away from the inclusion of curvier sizes. This led her to state, “The industry is missing ME!”

At age 18 in 2008, Sasha attended Mount Mary College, now known as Mount Mary University, where she studied the Apparel Product Development program for five years. There, she learned techniques in pattern-making, draping, CAD, and more. Following that path, she saved up her funds to study abroad in Paris, France, at the Paris American Academy and in Antwerp, Belgium. Despite gaining valuable knowledge from these programs, she felt there were still important points to address.

At the time, smaller sizes were the focus of fittings and fashion education. Sasha, however, was determined to learn about the different shapes and sizes of full-figured women. That determination not only brought her to a new level of experience, but also gave her full control of the brand she has today. She now presents her garments through her feelings, art, style, and class.

Sasha’s career has flourished into a beautiful expression of art for the plus-size body, with a deep understanding of who “she” is and a desire to create for her clients. She has showcased her garment collections in several prestigious events, including Portland, Oregon; New York Fashion Week;   MMM Curves Beautifully Empowered in Seattle; Model Icon; Chicago Fashion Week; an LA showcase for six months; and twice in London for a networking fashion showcase and African Fashion Week London, where she was the first plus-size designer to present. Sasha was also the first plus-size designer to showcase at Paris and Milan Fashion Week with Fashion Week Studio, as well as Thailand Fashion Week, further proving how her clothing line speaks through photos and across global runways. Some of Sasha’s other notable accomplishments include designing and dressing a journalist for the Oscars red carpet in 2023 and 2024, along with releasing a Fall/Winter ’23 collection with SHEIN. 

On February 24, 2024, Sasha produced her very own fashion show, “The House of Solana Fashion Show,” where she showcased all her collections over the years in one setting, presented through her eyes and visions. She customized the entire room to her taste, including placing chair covers with her brand logo, down to the napkins. Her makeup line, Solana Beautè, was also used on the models, creating a personalized connection between her garments and the overall presentation. The show was a statement, letting everyone know whose house they were in, who they came to see, and welcoming them properly. The motto for House of Solana is to thrive in lavish beauty and style. It’s for women who want to look and feel sophisticated and beautiful, for women who want to be fierce at all times, as well as those who love a simple look with a twist. Sasha designs for plus-size women because her passion lies in creating a diversity of clothing that raises their confidence and allows them to command attention—challenging the narrow standard of beauty. ABOUT THE COLLECTION

The collections showcased here are a mix of pieces from international fashion shows and photoshoots. The 2020 Paris Fashion Week collection, titled “Opulence,” featured black and gold beaded gowns adorned with intricate gold and silver details and hand-beaded appliqués. Black and gold, always bold and elegant, symbolize power and luxury. The inspiration behind this collection was the grandeur of opulence and extravagance. By presenting this collection at Paris Fashion Week, the goal was to highlight high fashion for plus-size women, rather than limiting them to ready-to-wear options. Sasha aimed to provide something rarely seen on runways.

The following collection, featuring mint green gowns and ballgowns, was part of the 2022 Milan Fashion Week, titled “Flourished Fantasies.” This collection included beaded bodices with soft, feminine silhouettes in jewel tones and light pastel colors, perfectly suited for spring. It evoked the whimsy of princesses from diverse backgrounds, creating a dreamy, ethereal aesthetic. The Ankara style collection from African Fashion Week London, titled "Goddesses of Power," was centered around celebrating the unique strength of every woman. Each garment in the collection was distinct, symbolizing individuality and grace that no one else could replicate. From the makeup—done by Sasha herself—to the hairstyles, every look exuded its own flair and personality. The silhouettes, colors, and techniques were carefully crafted to reflect the diverse personalities of the women wearing them, emphasizing their individual power and uniqueness.

The final image comes from a collection called "Velvet Cake." This collection features soft velvet fabrics mixed with sequins, adding a playful yet sophisticated twist. Sasha believed that using only one type of fabric felt uninspiring, so she sought to infuse creativity and fun while maintaining elegance.

SASHA'S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW What challenges did you face when launching House of Solana while still in college, and how did you overcome them?

The challenges that I mostly faced while still in college were building from the ground up with barely any funds, with paying for college, striving to bring my visions to life in the fashion world, which can be daunting when it's your personal work as a first-time designer. It was difficult separating the schoolwork from some of my fashion classes because I was combating my ideas and the assignment of just doing something they needed or wanted for the work, so several comments or looks would come upon me. My biggest challenge of all was creating my plus-size senior collection to be on the runway. Now, we have to think back to when there wasn't as much promotion towards plus-size modeling, let alone models in the area or my class to come and model, and honestly, at the time, I don't think the committee was too keen on the idea. To overcome such difficulties, I stayed close with my mindset of how I saw fashion and vowed to always incorporate myself into every collection. How do you approach designing clothing that balances both comfort and high fashion for plus-size women?

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