Bio
In 1993, Rene Geneva received an inheritance that would change her life: her grandmother's Singer sewing machine.
Working as a freelance photographer at the time and schooled in multimedia graphics, Rene found that it was her clothing designs brought new inspiration to her work in the sewing studio. Rene was contracted by Entertain Fla., Inc to design and manufacture costumes for Universal Studio's parade performers. Desiring to explore fresh directions in her own work, Rene opened Faernyn's Grove (renamed Rene Geneva Design, llc) in 1997.
She moved to Austin, Tex. in 2002 where she opened her first design studio. Rene also picked up where she left off with costuming, working on such films as The King (featuring Gael Garcia Bernal, 2005), and Dot (Burnt Orange Productions, 2005).
As Rene's skill as a designer grew, so did her awareness of the world around her. She made a commitment to utilize organic materials and use fair trade labor -- a practice her business needed to account for its impact on the environment, both ecologically and socially.
In November 2005, Rene headed to Nicaragua to work with a fair wage, fair trade women's textile cooperative. Training them in the elements of corsetry and applique enabled them to produce Rene's latest designs, and to expand their professional capabilities and fair trade income. Rene has since helped several communities in developing countries with artisan sewing skills.
Seeing the positive effects of her work abroad, she organized similar efforts including the Sun Power Project to help facilitate solar electricity for communities in need, Fashionably Neutral Carbon, and Scraps for Schools.
Her work can be seen through out the industry and media, including Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, WE TV's Wedding Maters, California Apparel News, Tree Hugger, and many more. She also enjoys motivational speaking and consulting to help small design entrepreneurs grow.
When Rene isn't working, she's enjoying her family, extreme sports, dance, and finding time to sleep.