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Instagram - @realoscarlopezCuban-born American Fashion DesignerOscar Garcia-Lopez was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1973 and, from a very young age, discovered that fashion would be part of his life. But his love for the arts does not stop there.PHOTOGRAPHER: NATASHA KERTESMODEL: REGINA SILHAIR & MAKE UP: FABIAN CISNEROSJEWELRY: SHIROY DICAMAVENUE: MARALAGO CLUBHe brings in his influences of dance, ballet, music, and theater to give an artistic edge to his designs that leaves everyone wanting more. At the early age of 12, he created his first dress with his mother%u2019s curtains due to the scarce resources found on the island, creating not only garments but also the tools needed to make them. He recalls %u201csharpening [his] needles with nail files and candle wax... only able to replace them when family members or friends would visit not only from the United States but from the European community as well.%u201d But despite the effort of having to create his own tools, %u201c[he] was determined and didn%u2019t mind the effort.%u201d This little boy had found his calling and was determined to follow it. After two failed attempts at fleeing the island, he %u201cwas able to leave Cuba via Mexico as part of a musical performance group.%u201d %u201c[He] lived there for four years, and in 2004, he%u00a0 crossed the border into the United States, looking to reunite [himself] with family members and embark on the path to realize [his] dream.%u201d Once in Miami, he began growing his clientele, one dress at a time. His elaborate designs have captured the attention of South Beach socialites and Palm Beach and New York high-society ladies.While he continued building his loyal clientele, he took on the challenge of participating in the Project Runway spin-off Under the Gunn, hosted by none other than the fierce Tim Gunn, with co-judges including designer Rachel Roy, celebrity stylist Jen Rade, and Marie Claire senior fashion editor Zanna Roberts Rassi. From the first episode, Oscar%u2019s talent was eminent, and he quickly started to receive compliments from judges very early on in the competition. Every time he presented a new creation, it was described as flattering, sexy, and fierce%u2014characteristics that he makes sure are found in all of his designs. The judges also praised his outstanding construction and pointed out that many of his gowns had the red-carpet %u201cwow%u201d that celebrities kill for.MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 41 61