Angeles Almuna is a fashion triple-threat. She photographs, she designs, she styles and she is taking Miami by storm. Originally from Chile, Angeles moved to Miami in search of adventure to inspire her career as an artist and a Flamenco dancer. Little did she know that her arrival would inspire Miami and influence the local fashion movement.
Angeles’ interest in fashion originated from her mom. “The fashion magazines she used to keep around the house opened my eyes to fashion through photography and runway shows,” says Angeles. “I remember thinking ‘One day I would like to be there. I would love to work in fashion.’” Her mom also taught her how to look effortlessly chic with the right accessories and unique details. But it wasn’t until she moved to Seville, Spain to study Flamenco that the possibility of working in fashion really clicked. “In Spain, I met a fabulous, elegant Italian girl who showed me how to be memorable through clothing and voila! Now I am here making my mark in the fashion world.”
In Miami, Angeles works primarily as a freelance fashion photographer shooting local fashion bloggers, runway shows, and fashion events. Her photography work has been featured in Glamour.com, Refinery29, Metrovelvet, and Harpers Bazaar. She also works as the Fashion Creative Assistant for Brickell Magazine and Key Biscayne Magazine. Every so often she steps in front of the lens to showcase her unique personal style and the flower brooches she designs on her fashion blog, AngelesAlmuna.com.
There’s no question that the move to Miami was the right fit for Angeles, but getting to this point in her career was not easy. She had to work tirelessly to show Miami’s creative community that she had the passion and talent for the profession. She also started at a severe disadvantage. In a town where having a friend of a friend that knows the owner/publicist/bouncer is critical, Angeles had no one to give her an “in.” These days, it seems Angeles knows everyone in the Miami fashion world. Thanks to her positive and friendly personality she has friends in every social circle and is one of the lucky few who looks around the room at fashion events to spot many a friendly face. Her blood, sweat, tears, and patience have paid off and then some.
We asked Angeles to share her three proudest fashion accomplishments since arriving in Miami. After all, Miami has played an important role in her current fashion career. “I have achieved many amazing milestones here. My most cherished moments include having my own fashion photography exhibit during the September 2014 Miami Fashion Film Festival, hosting a Fashion Happy Hour at the Catalina Hotel with over 300 people, and being approached by Scoop NYC and BFANyc.com during Art Basel to shoot a local fashion and art event.”
So, what’s next for this Miami fashionista? This week she is in New York shooting the Fall/Winter 2015 runway and the behind-the-scenes action at New York Fashion Week. Angeles says of her future, “I feel so lucky that Miami gave me the opportunity to meet fabulous, smart, and creative people. I think I am in a good position, but I know there is more. For the first time, I think this is my moment to make my dreams come true. Stay tuned, Miami.” Tuned we shall stay.
Margarita Wells is the founder of Thank You, Miami, a blog about Miami life.