Phoenix Fashion Designer Leonor Aispuro on How Alejandro Jodorowsky Inspires Her

Every other year, New Times puts the spotlight on Phoenix's creative forces — painters, dancers, designers, and actors. Leading up to the release of Best of Phoenix, we're taking a closer look at 100 more. Welcome to the 2016 edition of 100 Creatives. Up today is 93. Leonor Aispuro.

There's a chance that freelancing has never been so stylish. Phoenix fashion designer Leonor Aispuro describes her work in clothes thusly, but you can nix the mental image of a bedraggled bedhead covered in crumbs, like, now. 

Known for her airy creations that hug the body while giving the silhouette breathing room (and definition) with sheer layers, Aispuro's well-versed in the world of style, having studied fashion at Phoenix College and then sustainable design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

After exploring the fashion world in New York, she returned to Phoenix, where she grew up. "I started getting interested in sewing and design at a very young age, learning from the women in my family," she says of her youth spent in Arizona.

Getting back to that longstanding family tradition of sewing paid off. And not long after coming back, Aispuro was at work on a new collection, helping craft locally made denim at Scottsdale's Diego Milano, and in the spotlight as a winner of New Times' 2015 Big Brain awards. 
A year later, Aispuro's still juggling an array of projects and finding inspiration at every turn. "I am currently working on a new collection which I will be releasing in the next few months," the 30-year-old says, "and I'm planning a fashion presentation so people can view my work in a live setting."

The designer has found a deep appreciation for the work of Chilean surrealist Alejandro Jodorowsky's films El Topo and Holy Mountain. "I love the colors and scenery," Aispuro says. "He has also written a few books and I like his ideas - so I find him inspiring in many ways."

She's also doing wardrobe styling for both Rising Youth Theatre's upcoming play Under the Rug and an IMAX documentary that will be filming a segment locally. 

"Getting to work on what I love and what I'm passionate about has always been a dream of mine," Aispuro says, "and I am lucky to be able to combine my ideas with that and make them come to life."

I came to Phoenix with my family.

I make art because it's what I love.

I'm most productive when I set deadlines and maintain a busy schedule.

My inspiration wall is full of old photographs of my family, vintage fabrics, and nature.

I've learned most from life experiences and getting out of my comfort zone.

Good work should always build from itself.

The Phoenix creative scene could use more people working together and collaborating on events, projects, ideas etc...

The 2016 Creatives so far:

100. Nicole Olson
99. Andrew Pielage
98. Jessica Rowe
97. Danny Neumann
96. Beth Cato
95. Jessie Balli
94. Ron May