Luis de Javier, the Designer Who’s Dressed Celebrities Like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé: “I’m Inspired by Women Who Don’t Take No for an Answer”
The Hispanic designer is one of the key names shaping the international fashion scene
Luis de Javier (Barcelona, Spain 1996) has emerged as one of the most powerful voices in the new wave of Spanish designers making waves in the global fashion industry.
Coming from a working-class family, his passion, clarity of vision, and relentless work ethic have played a crucial role in his success—dressing global stars like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian, to name a few.
His aesthetic blends three key elements into a singular style: Spanish folklore, rave culture, and queer identity. “To me, my community is the family I’ve chosen—something incredibly important to me, something I carry in my heart and protect like my own children. It’s who I am and always will be. No matter how often they try to erase us, I’ll be here to make sure we remain visible,” he explains.
From DIY Beginnings in Sitges to London, with a Stop at Vivienne Westwood
De Javier’s journey has been defined by ambition and a fierce determination to carve out his path, often juggling multiple jobs and pushing through countless obstacles common in industries where your starting point matters.
“I was so driven, I didn’t care about sleepless nights—it was so thrilling. Nothing could stop me,” he tells LOS40, reflecting on the early days after university when he completed his first collection as a final project. That’s when it all began—and the rest, as they say, is history.
@judijupiter London-based designer Luis De Javier end of the fashion show presenting his favorite model and outfit lower east side Manhattan # London-based #designer #LuisDeJavier #ny #fashionshow #model ##judijupiter #photographer #runway #foryou.#foryoupage.#fyp.#duet. #viralvideos.#trending.#comedy #funnyvideos ♬ original sound – JudiJupiter
On graduation day, he headed straight to Paris to start knocking on doors. From day one, De Javier knew that nothing would come to him unless he went out and fought for it. “I gave myself a limited time to either get hired by a big brand or build my own.”
That drive led him to land a role at the legendary Vivienne Westwood. First as a trainee, then as a model. “I was mentally taking notes all the time—how they painted, how they cut fabric, how they worked,” he adds. Eventually, the need to keep moving pushed him elsewhere. He quickly ruled out doing a master’s degree.
“It’s insanely expensive, and I realized I could learn what I needed from the people I was meeting,” he says. “I’d invite people I wanted to learn from to dinner or lunch, and I’d bring my little notebook. I’d ask questions like: if you were launching your brand today, what would you do differently? What would you tell your 6-years-younger self? Honestly, people were so kind, really open, and excited to share their experiences.”
In London, he joined a studio to refine his pattern-making skills—what he considered his biggest weak spot at the time. He balanced unpaid internships with several jobs. “I think I’d have had a totally different life if I came from money or had an investor from the start. Totally different. Having help makes a huge difference. But look at me—I’m here. You don’t need it to get started.”
That workload took its toll. “After my debut show in New York, I developed panic and anxiety disorders. It was so intense that my body short-circuited,” he says. “It’s important to step back, get therapy, and put your health first. At the end of the day, this brand carries your name. If you’re not okay, nothing works.”
Eventually, his first runway opportunity arrived. “A creative agency invited me to do a group show with three other emerging designers. The only condition was to have at least 14 looks. I only had my graduation collection, but they said, ‘14 or nothing.’ It was Friday. The show was the following Saturday. I made 8 new looks in 6 days,” he recalls. “It was insane—but it changed my life. I remember after the show, I was rushing backstage, sweating, twisted my ankle in heels before the bow, and a friend grabbed me and said, ‘Luis, today is the first day of the rest of your life.’”
Dressing the Stars: From Julia Fox’s Support to Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Rosalía
One behind-the-scenes detail that most outsiders don’t know: celebrities don’t always do fittings themselves. “Styling teams reach out, and then the looks are tested on doubles who have the same measurements,” he says. “All superstars have doubles. For example, Kim Kardashian doesn’t do fittings. Stylists try the clothes on her double, send pictures, and Kim already knows what she’ll wear.”
kim k wearing luis de javier 3d corset by yuma burgess pic.twitter.com/yV6sQlyfIH
— ella 🤍 (@miumiuitgirl) June 6, 2022
Among De Javier’s most meaningful celebrity supporters is American model and friend Julia Fox, who played a key role in his debut runway show during New York Fashion Week 2023. The event was held in the former synagogue of the Angel Orensanz Foundation—a legendary venue previously used by Alexander McQueen and Zac Posen.
“I had just finished a collection for Steven Klein, and I flew to New York to show it to him. I started posting looks on Instagram. That same week, I had dinner with Julia. She asked if I was releasing a new collection. I told her no because I couldn’t afford it, and she said, ‘The hell you aren’t doing a show,’” he laughs.
@culted @Julia fox closing the Luis De Javier show in a horned bodice 😈 🎥: @superficialdolls #fashion #nyfw #juliafox #runway #catwalk #fw23 #tiktokfashion #luisdejavier #foryoupage #fyp ♬ original sound – Notfromco
And that was that. Connections kicked in. After Kylie Jenner wore one of his designs and thanks to his publicist Kelly Cutrone, a partnership with a well-known erotic content company helped fund the runway event. One of the standout moments? Julia Fox in his signature horned corset—once again showcasing the importance of folklore in De Javier’s work.
Inspirations: Folklore, Flamenco Bailaoras, and Working-Class Women Like His Mother
“I’m obsessed with folklore—with the silhouettes, tradition, craftsmanship. I think a lot of younger or more progressive people treat folklore as taboo because of the oppressive systems behind it. I feel the same, but I also see its beauty. I want to reinterpret it through my lens and show that the two can be separated,” he explains. “When I did my Paris show, I told myself, ‘Okay, this will be the last Spanish-themed one. I don’t want to be the guy who only does Spanish stuff.’ But after reading the reviews, I thought, ‘Wait a minute… maybe I am doing something new here. Maybe I need to explore this vision of Spain through my eyes.’”
His greatest inspiration? The women of folklore, the bailaoras. He draws on real conversations with them to shape his designs. “It’s a very macho world, and listening to their stories—their work, struggles, what they go through—was something I loved. What they feel when they perform, what colors they see, what the moment smells like, what they hate about flamenco or bullfighters, what their relationships were like…”
So where does this deep admiration for strong women come from? “My mom is my muse. She inspires me endlessly. After her divorce, she took control—she fed us, gave us a roof over our heads, and made it possible for me to study design. That’s when I started to feel this deep respect and love for women. I’m inspired by working women who can’t afford to take no for an answer because they have kids to feed. My mom and grandmother are where it all began,” he says.
Luis de Javier is undeniably bringing a fresh and bold perspective to the global fashion industry. When asked to name another Hispanic designer he admires, he points to Mallorca’s Miguel Adrover, known for his groundbreaking work. And if he had one piece of advice for future designers?
“Grow a pair—and go for it.”