Nicole C. Leave’s vision of life is full of color, but also full of lessons. In these lines we learn more about the creative mind of a stylist who is revolutionizing Miami.

A few weeks ago, we went to the renowned Marangoni Institute to learn about its academic offering, because as you know, we are addicted to studying on this blog. We were pleasantly surprised to meet one of the teachers and stylists who, after her time in the classrooms, not only became the first valedictorian in the history of the institution, but is also making her way in the industry in leaps and bounds.

Camaleónicas: How did you get into the world of styling?

Nicole: Since I was little, I was always immensely attracted to the world of fashion. I was that little girl who wore giant colorful bows and dressed in a vibrant way. I remember that, from then on, I knew that, when I “grew up,” I wanted to be a fashion designer. I even had a little notebook where I drew dresses and suits, a notebook that, in fact, I have kept to this day.

When I was 13, my family and I had to emigrate to the United States due to the insecurity and political situation in Venezuela. Moving to Miami was a huge change in my life. I found myself surrounded by people with super different styles, something very different from what I was used to, coming from a small Jewish community in Caracas.

As I mentioned, I always wanted to be a designer, so in my second year of high school, I started visiting universities and fashion institutes here in Miami, and that’s how I found out about Istituto Marangoni. A year later, I participated in a two-week summer program in high school, where I learned the basics of the fashion industry. It was during that time that I realized that my true passion was not in designing clothes, but in styling them. I loved the part about telling a story through clothes, but not so much the sewing part.

At the same time, I was taking a research class in high school, and for our final project we had to do a study on a topic that interested us and that hadn’t been researched before. Naturally, I wanted to do something related to fashion, but I didn’t know exactly what. So, I talked to a cousin who was studying fashion design in college, and she told me about the sustainability movement, which at the time was something very new and not talked about much. That’s how I decided to do research and do my final presentation focused on that topic.

For the rest of my high school years, I interned at various fashion houses. However, when it came time to choose a college major, I opted for what I believed would offer me a more secure future and began a degree in Sustainability and the Built Environment, also known as “Sustainability in the Built Environment,” with a double minor in Innovation and Sociology at the University of Florida, the top public university in the state.

Even though I had this idea, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I was on the wrong path. I didn’t enjoy what I was studying, nor did I like where I was living. I was really unhappy, and I knew I needed to make a change. It was a tough decision, but after talking to my parents and thinking about it a lot, I decided to follow my lifelong dream and make a career in fashion. I applied to Istituto Marangoni Miami, the university I had fallen in love with a few years ago, and after a series of interviews, I was accepted. So I left Gainesville and returned to Miami, ready to start fresh and begin my career as a fashion stylist.

“From the first classes I taught, the feeling was incredible. Seeing how I could shape young people and influence their future proved to be extremely rewarding. It made me feel like I was giving back to the world and the university that shaped me as a professional in a very meaningful way.” Nicole C. Leave

C: And in Marangoni, what did you feel was the difference that made your life? As if to say, I also dedicate myself to teaching.

N: Being a small university, the experience is very personalized. You really get to know the professors, staff, and students on a more personal level. Everyone knows each other, and for me, that was something very special. Despite the one-on-one treatment in the classroom, there were also many opportunities to work with the professors outside of class, in a more professional environment.

I loved hanging out with my professors and staff, either before or after class. I was very interested in the content of the courses, and that connection helped me learn even more. I also visited the dean every day. I would sit in his office and talk about my progress, external opportunities, and other related topics. Seeing my interest in getting involved and going the extra mile, the dean started introducing me to the world of teaching.

I started preparing masterclasses and webinars on the latest trends of the season, and soon after, he proposed that I teach short courses for the university’s youth programs that were held on Saturdays. I accepted the proposal and started right away. All of this happened the same year I joined the university. I started my degree in May and by October of that same year I was already teaching. From the first course, the experience was very rewarding. I loved sharing my knowledge with others and I knew I wanted to continue doing it.

A few semesters later, I took a public speaking class. The professor, seeing how I performed in class, always being the first to raise my hand and participate, proposed that I read the next chapters of the book and prepare the next class. This experience was even more satisfying as I was able to apply all the public speaking techniques we had been taught and managed to keep all my classmates interested and participating throughout the class. I cannot describe how happy I felt at that moment.

After that, I continued teaching a few more classes for my public speaking course and at the same time, I continued teaching the short Saturday courses for two years until I graduated. That proud moment in my public speaking class was when I realized how much I enjoyed teaching and how naturally it came to me. Today, I am part of the IMM faculty as a pre-university professor of styling and fashion trends, sharing my passion with students.

C: I took your sample class at Marangoni, so I’d like to ask you the same question you asked the guys. If you could describe your style in three words, do you already have those three words in mind?

N: Yes, I have thought about this a lot, and if I had to describe my personal style in three words, they would be colorful, eclectic, and bold.

Colorful because I love adding vibrant colors to my looks and mixing them together. I am almost always dressed in color. Even if an outfit is simple, I always try to include at least a touch of color. It is something that characterizes me quite a bit.

Eclectic because my style is very varied. It is not limited to one extreme of black or white, but I explore a wide range of grays, different styles, depending on how I feel and the activities of the day. One day you can see me with a very feminine look, the next with something more relaxed and loose, and the next with a classic outfit. I like to play with different styles and express myself through my clothes.

Bold because I love experimenting with silhouettes and prints. I enjoy mixing different prints and colors, and transforming garments to give them an innovative use. For example, I sometimes wear a hat with scarves underneath, a blazer on backwards, or button a shirt diagonally.

These are the three characteristics that you will always see in my looks and that allow me to experiment with my style.

C: And do you have any piece or accessory that you think can’t be missing from your closet?

N: In my closet, a blazer and a hat are a must. Although they are not traditional staple pieces, they are essential to my style and have become my personal signature. In fact, if you look at the logo on the back of my business card, you will see that the lines intertwine to form a subtle combination between the top of a hat and the lapel of a blazer. I wanted my logo to capture these elements that define my style and by which people recognize me..

C: What would you recommend to those who want to pursue this career?

N: My first piece of advice for those who ask me this question is to start building your portfolio in a simple way. Make the most of the tools you have at your disposal. Ask a friend to be your model and someone interested in photography to be your photographer. Be inventive. It is best to start with simple but impactful concepts that look well done, rather than jumping straight into complex ideas that you may not have the experience, equipment or resources for. Technique and sophistication develop over time.

This advice is relevant whether you are considering a college career in this field or not. For those who want to pursue this career in academia, I would recommend taking advantage of every opportunity that presents itself, whether it is staying after class to help out, participating in projects or volunteering on the weekends. These experiences will not only help you build a valuable network of contacts, but will also demonstrate your discipline and ability to persevere. Over time, this can open many doors.

When I was at Marangoni, we received a weekly newsletter with volunteer opportunities. Every Friday, I read the newsletter religiously and signed up for every opportunity. Not only did this allow me to build my network, but it also showed my willingness to work hard. As a result, my professors and acquaintances began offering me more opportunities and jobs in the styling field.

Going above and beyond is crucial to standing out in this highly competitive industry. Thanks to this proactive approach, I was able to complete my four-year degree in just two, graduating with honors and becoming the first valedictorian in the history of Istituto Marangoni Miami, with the highest GPA in the entire university.

C: How was your first experience developing as a stylist?

N: My first experience in styling began when I applied to college. Once accepted into the program, Marangoni offered the opportunity to apply for a scholarship. The requirement was to do a photoshoot of ten photos that told a story related to Miami and sustainability. To excel in this challenge, I decided to use two models instead of one, which allowed me to style twenty outfits instead of ten, as I imagined most would have done.

I had one week to develop the concept, create the looks, photograph them, edit the photos, put together a presentation, and present it to the university admissions committee. With only my intuition, I managed to meet all of these requirements and was awarded the highest scholarship.

Today, that project has become the model to follow for scholarships at the university. It is presented to all applicants as the new standard of what is expected when applying. In fact, I am often told by new students that my face looks familiar and that they come from there.

SEPT SUR SEPT

C: How do you feel your work was different?

N: I have always believed that everything we do must have a reason, an explanation that supports our ideas. For me, that is what really gives value to things. Each of my works has a purpose behind it: a story, an explanation, a lesson, a piece of news, a message.

My work stands out for being very experimental. I like to tell powerful stories, out of the ordinary, to challenge what is considered “pretty” or superficial in fashion, always seeking to create something that impacts. My techniques are characterized by the use of unconventional materials and textures to create art through fashion. For example, instead of using a typical t-shirt and pants, I would make a shirt made of wire ropes and pants made from pieces of duct tape. That is my difference.

“In fashion and in life, real value comes when every choice has a purpose and every story is told. Never underestimate the power of a clear message; it is the why behind what we do that truly gives meaning to our creation.” Nicole C. Leave

C: What has been one of the most complex jobs you have developed?

N: One of the projects I am most proud of is my solo exhibition titled “Never Forget,” focusing on the Jewish Holocaust. This work, which marked the end of my college career, is not only one of the most meaningful and personal I have done so far, but also the most challenging I have ever faced in my life.

For this project, I created a series of 12 photographs inspired by a diary I kept during a trip to concentration camps in Poland when I was 16. Each image captures an emotion or a specific moment from my experience in Auschwitz, Majdanek, and Treblinka, some of the most horrendous camps in history. The number 12 was not chosen at random; it represents important elements within Judaism, such as the tribes of Israel, the months of the Hebrew calendar, the disciples of Moses, and the major constellations. My goal was to pay tribute to the six million Jewish lives lost during this tragedy, showing that fashion can be much more than just aesthetics—it can tell deep and moving stories. Every detail of the project was carefully designed to serve a meaningful purpose.

“On my website, you can find this collection of photos in the “Experimental Styling” section under the name Never Forget.” – Nicole C. Leave.

HEARTACHE: REMAINS

N: What made this project truly groundbreaking is that I was the first creative to use experimental styling to tell this story. At first, everyone I presented my idea to, from teachers to family members, including my parents, told me not to even think about touching the subject. However, at the end of the day, my determination, rebelliousness, and bravery were applauded by those who had initially discouraged me.

Throughout my career, I have always believed in the importance of infusing meaning and purpose into everything I do. I believe that every project should convey a clear message and have a reason for being, as this not only adds value to the work, but also ensures that it resonates deeply with those who see it. The exhibition “Never Forget” is a clear example of how storytelling through fashion can transcend the boundaries of mere aesthetics, creating a visually stunning and emotionally powerful experience. It is a testament to my commitment to my heritage and how fashion can serve as a medium to tell stories that deserve to be heard.

This project is my crowning achievement, as I pushed the boundaries of fashion in ways I never imagined, creating a visually stunning and deeply impactful composition—a feat many consider unattainable in the realm of fashion.

“The exhibition “Never Forget” is a testament to the power of storytelling through fashion and the deep connection with my heritage.” – Nicole C. Leave.

DEHUMANIZATION: SHAVED HEADS

“As a stylist, my mission is to turn artistic visions into vibrant realities, bringing my roots and experiences to every creation. My journey has been a testament that with passion and dedication, the impossible becomes possible.” Nicole C. Leave

All works published in this article are property of Nicole C Leave