MEET THE DESIGNER

A smiling woman with long wavy hair in front of an urban cityscape at night, reflected on a glass surface.

ZARA STALEVA

Zara Staleva is a Bulgarian-born designer currently based in the United States and the visionary behind STALEVA.

A woman in a black leather jacket points at a fashion design collage on a white wall while smiling. The collage features images of women wearing elegant, elaborate dresses with black lace and floral details. A mannequin in the foreground displays a red dress with black lace embellishments.

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design in 2023, Zara’s journey is defined by relentless creativity and an uncompromising dedication to her craft.

Four women dressed in colorful, embellished outfits with some wearing sunglasses, posing against a white background. They are smiling and appear to be at a fashion or art event, showcasing creative and designer outfits.

Working at the intersection of art and fashion, Zara transforms human emotion into sculptural, wearable forms. Her avant-garde approach challenges traditional aesthetics through bold, futuristic, and extravagant designs that demand attention and provoke thought.

Three women smiling and posing for a photo against a dark background, with one woman wearing a red blazer and the other two wearing necklaces and colorful hair.

At the core of STALEVA lies a commitment to sustainability through reinvention. Zara’s distinctive process reimagines discarded materials, elevating them into striking, unconventional pieces that blur the line between waste and luxury. Each creation stands as a testament to her belief that what is overlooked can be transformed into something rare, powerful, and enduring.