Are you "Apocalypse. Ready?"

What do you get when you put together creativity, architectural design and an Ethiopian heritage in a woman? Azmara Asefa, the newest fashion designer to hit the fashion scene. Azmara Asefa who won a spot in the national emerging designer competition at last year’s Phoenix Fashion Week, just recently launched her latest collection, "Apocalypse. Ready," that melds contemporary form with function and empowers women to feel stylish, strong and confident while taking on the day’s challenges.

In a very eye opening and enlightening interview with Azmara, I asked a few questions to get a feel of who she is as a designer and her inspiration.

Q1. What was your “Apocalyptic” moment that thrust you into becoming a fashion designer?

A. At the age of seven my family and I took a trip to Ethiopia, I had to walk across a bridge over Lake Tana (see below), and at that moment I knew if I could walk across that bridge I could do anything. Later, in high school during senior prom time I needed a dress but couldn’t find one that I liked. So I ended up creating it myself and worked on it until 3:00 am in the morning. That was my first taste of design and I loved it.

Q2. Who is your favorite Hollywood icon?

A. I actually have two. The first is Solange, because she takes risks is an activist, and her aesthetic is pure. To me she is actually anti-Hollywood, which makes her so interesting. The second is Charlize Theron. She is a bad ass! Her role in Mad Max was phenomenal. I feel empowered by her and am always inspired when I see her in different roles.

Q3. Which piece from your collection is your favorite?

A. I would have to say the Shape Shifting Dress (see below). That’s my baby! I spent the longest amount of time developing and designing it, always with the thought: of what would a woman what to wear? The material has a menswear theme, but it is still feminine and very functional.

Q4. What advice would you give a young woman aspiring to begin in a male-dominated career field?

A. I would tell her to use her woman hood to her advantage. As women we have our own experiences that men will never have, which gives us an edge. We should always use that knowledge and experience to create our designs. I would also tell her to always empower and encourage other women. We have strength in numbers and it’s always better to lift one another up instead of tearing each other down.

Q5. How do you think your new collection will change the way women think about fashion?

A. Great question. My entire collection is thoughtfully designed. The average collection can have as many as 100 pieces and to me that is a waste. I believe that less is more, when a designer allows the materials he/she is working with to speak to them, you create something much more meaningful.

Azmara’s Kickstarter campaign continues, and as with all of her collections, the collection is proudly made in America using sustainable business practices, with 10% of sales going to The Women’s Refugee Commission.