Jose Vargas
From Humble Beginnings to International Recognition
Álison Lima, a 27-year-old Brazilian fashion designer, has carved out a remarkable path in the world of fashion, starting from the small town of Santa Maria do Cambucá in Pernambuco, Brazil. From a young age, Álison showed a keen interest in artistic and creative activities, learning manual embroidery from his mother and siblings—a skill that not only honed his craft but also supported his family’s income.
Inspired by the sewing mastery of his grandmother and great-aunt, and immersed in the vibrant fashion scene of the Polo de Confecções do Agreste Pernambucano, the second-largest clothing hub in Brazil, Álison set his sights on a career in fashion. In 2014, after completing high school, he moved to Caruaru to study Design at the Federal University of Pernambuco – CAA. His passion for fashion led him to specialize in sewing and patterning, eventually starting his own made-to-measure clothing business focused on party dresses.
During his academic journey, Álison co-founded a company in 2016 with three classmates, specializing in developing collections and patterns for companies within the Agreste Pernambucano Garment Cluster. This venture, supported by an incubation project from Porto Digital – PE, brought significant recognition, including Votes of Applause from the City Council of Recife.
In addition to his undergraduate studies, Álison mastered the art of Moulage, a French three-dimensional pattern technique that involves creating garments and patterns directly on the fabric. His enthusiasm for this technique led him to become a teaching assistant at the university, where he shared his knowledge and passion with other students.
Álison’s desire to educate and inspire others grew stronger, prompting him to leave his company to focus on teaching the Moulage technique. He began offering workshops and consultancies, essential for companies in the Marco Pernambucano da Moda incubation projects. After completing his undergraduate degree, Álison pursued a master’s degree in Management, Innovation, and Consumption, focusing his research on fashion consumption patterns.
Álison’s teaching career flourished at the Instituto da Costura in Recife and later at the Instituto de Moda Burbo Brasil in Santa Catarina. In 2021, he founded Fashion Moulage, a company dedicated to online and in-person training on the Moulage technique. Through his social media platforms on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest (@fashionmoulage), Álison disseminates educational content to a national and international audience.
Fashion Moulage’s reach extends across Brazil and the globe, with students from various countries seeking to improve their Moulage skills. Álison has provided training to pattern groups for brands and companies, ateliers, and photography studios, focusing on creating exclusive and tailored high fashion patterns.
Currently, Álison is working on expanding his company and preparing his first book on the Moulage technique. He continues to inspire the new generation of designers and fashion professionals through his active presence on social media, sharing his passion for fashion and innovative design.
Álison Lima’s journey from a small town in Pernambuco to international acclaim in the fashion industry is a testament to his dedication, talent, and passion for sharing knowledge. His story is an inspiration to aspiring designers and a beacon of innovation in the world of fashion.
