Today we’d like to introduce you to Vitoria Karmann.
Hi Vitoria, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I have always wanted to be an artist my entire life. I grew up in the south of Brazil. Although brazil is well known for its diverse culture, I came from a community of doctors and Lawyers, a place where being an artist was unacceptable. But I had something most people didn’t have, a dream and a supportive family. To them, it didn’t matter what people said; they believed in me. So I graduated high school (barely, due to a battle of depression and anxiety), and I applied to many schools outside my country, although I loved it so much. Annnndd covid hit, after waiting a lifetime to leave a place where I didn’t exactly fit in, the world seemed to stop. It was a difficult time as it was for everyone, but I didn’t want that to be the cause of yet another depression, another bad face, so I took an idea that I had been working on for years, my very own clothing brand called Karmann, and I decided to make it work. Karmann was born as a way for an artist who, like me, felt like they were alone and not as worth it to wear the T-shirt as a uniform, symbolizing the ideal that a world made of art and artists is a better place. So I launched and sold out collections one and two in one week. Karmann is a lifetime project, and my whole soul is into it. So in august 2021, I finally travel to Baltimore to start attending mica, the school of my dreams, and I love every second of it! However, not everything goes as planned. And I’ve had some money struggles along the way, and Karmann had to be paused for a while. I’m entering my Sophomore year at mica this fall, and I hope to be able to continue Karmann in the next few years. As it’s a beautiful project that I’m so proud of because I truly believe Karmann is for artists who believe in making a world of art.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
Money was the biggest struggle; paying for art school and creating a clothing brand did not go well together. The pandemic about money has become increasingly expensive for Brazilians to live in us. Anxiety and depression have been a rocky road, filled w ups and downs, but I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been doing freelance illustration and graphic design for 6 years now, and I love it so much! I started my clothing brand, Karmann, in 2020, and it’s my pride and joy. Karmann’s is a brand created to support artists, encourage them to be proud, and create a world of art and beauty! I wanted to combine fashion w a message of hope to all artists who feel forgotten, unseen or lonely. I’ve been studying graphic design with a minor in creative entrepreneurship at Maryland Institute college of art.
How would we have described you growing up if we knew you were growing up?
I grew up very shy, obedient and calmed around people, but inside my head, there was a whole world of art and creativity waiting to be explored. I loved drawing and painting from a very young age. My grandmother was a painter, and she started teaching me when I was 3 years old. I also always loved reading; the idea of creating new worlds, living different lives, and going on magical adventures was one of my favorite things.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @karmannofficial
- Other: @thenycprojectt
Image Credits
Karmann photoshoots – Vitoria karmann Mica benefit show – mathew bailey, ayathma thisali
