Daily Inspiration: Meet Ozvart Meléndez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ozvart Meléndez.

Hi Ozvart, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
OZVART is a fashion designer and visual artist from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, known for his experimental approach and his fusion of fashion, art, and Puerto Rican culture. His work is distinguished by the use of textures, handcrafted leathers, and symbolic elements that reinterpret Puerto Rican identity through a contemporary lens.

He presented an experimental runway show during Art Basel Miami 2023, and in 2024 debuted his collection “Sigiloso” at Expo Moda, solidifying his aesthetic language characterized by mystery, cultural authority, and meticulous detail. He has collaborated with artists such as Jay Wheeler, Joyce Santana, Karol G, Héctor Castro, Álvaro Díaz (Sayonara Tour in Puerto Rico), and Elvis Crespo.

In addition to designing pieces for key figures in Latin music, Ozvart leads his brand, focused on conceptual streetwear. He is currently developing fashion projects, performances, and immersive artistic experiences.

Before dedicating himself to fashion, OZVART always felt a natural connection to art, even though he didn’t yet know which discipline truly fit him. After finishing university, he worked as a barber, a profession he adopted to support himself while searching for his creative path. He had previously studied music and graphic design, but the lack of job opportunities pushed him to explore other directions.

During his free time at the barbershop, he reconnected with his artistic curiosity: experimenting with visual arts, fine arts, and graphic work. He designed on his computer, painted canvases, and eventually began painting clothing and sneakers. This led him to offer customization services, where he discovered his ability to transform pieces and give them a unique identity.

As time went on, he decided to move away from painting to explore new possibilities. He bought a domestic sewing machine and, without formal training, started experimenting with fabrics, patterns, and structure. Through consistent practice and self-education, he developed his voice as a designer. That discipline—combined with his relentless drive to keep learning—is what has shaped OZVART into the creator he is today.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey hasn’t been easy. One of my biggest challenges was figuring out where I belonged creatively. I went through music, graphic design, and even worked as a barber before finding fashion, and each transition meant starting from zero. I had no formal training, no resources, and taught myself how to sew with a basic domestic machine while working full-time to support myself.

Creating from Puerto Rico also came with limitations — fewer opportunities, less access, and having to build everything independently. But every challenge pushed me to develop discipline, to stay consistent, and to shape my own voice as an artist and designer.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m known for building everything from the ground up: designing, sculpting, experimenting with materials, and pushing myself to learn new techniques. What I’m most proud of is the fact that I’m self-taught — every stitch, every pattern, every construction method came from discipline, curiosity, and years of teaching myself without formal training.

What sets me apart is my approach. I don’t just design clothes; I build stories and cultural narratives. My work carries the identity of where I come from — Puerto Rico — through texture, symbolism, and a sense of authority in the visual language. I mix fashion with art, and art with emotion, creating pieces that feel personal, handcrafted, and rooted in culture rather than trends.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The best: This city motivates me to keep growing and creating. Every time I come here, I feel like there’s a space for me; I feel creatively at home.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozvart?igsh=OHU3NGpkeHpqaXli&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
@sagavzn @jeanc.studios @_alclaidio @westlenspr