Fallston Fashion Designer Specializes in Dramatic Couture

After graduating from Fallston High School, Vincent Licari wasted no time breaking into the fashion world. 

Licari, 30, began his career as a fashion photographer at a local photo lab, where he shot portraits. From there, he started meeting with various modeling agencies and began assembling portfolios showcasing different looks. 

After shooting couture lines in Italy, however, Licari decided to pursue a new field within the industry — fashion design. 

"I found that I liked the fashion part better," he said. "I was visiting relatives in Italy and there was this televised show that had designers and showed looks. That's what I wanted to do."

Because of his contacts within the fashion industry, Licari had an easier time transitioning into design.

"I started manufacturing collections straight," he said. "I go from client to client."

He has shown collections in New York City, Europe, and even locally in Hunt Valley.

Licari has no formal training in fashion design but learned sewing basics from his mother and grandmother. Over the years, he continued to pick up various design techniques. Most recently, Licari said he's been studying flat pattern drafting from Ella Pritsker, founder and director of the Maryland Academy of Couture Arts in Timonium. 

And Licari has drawn inspiration from all over for his designs.

"Each collection is different," he said. "In the past I've based a collection around an antique chandelier. Others have been inspired by art, and others have been inspired by the fabrics themselves."

The Fallston designer describes his designs as dramatic handmade couture, which is "sculpted along a form." He generally creates evening wear for women, but also dabbles with cocktail dresses and bridal wear. The majority of his clients are from D.C., New York, Europe and California, and they are looking for one-of-a-kind pieces.

"She's looking to stand out," Licari said of a typical client. "She's tired of department stores and wants to be more exclusive."

But standing out isn't cheap. 

"Dresses start in the thousands," he said.