Today we’d like to introduce you to Zita Barbara.
Hi Zita, 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?
As a kid, I gravitated toward anything that allowed me to explore identity and perspective. I insisted on learning sewing and embroidery in elementary school, fell in love with singing in choir, and spent an unreasonable amount of time doodling in class. What started as sketches for friends eventually evolved into commissioned work from classmates, teachers, and swim coaches, including family portraits, handmade cards, and later, an opportunity to illustrate a book called “Women in the Workforce.”
What’s interesting is that I never felt confined to a single medium. That curiosity only expanded as I got older. Modeling opened the door to fashion design and photography, while my academic path led me through marketing and applied management. Even while working in business-related spaces, I kept returning to creative work through music, visual art, writing, and even a brief attempt at stand-up comedy.
Eventually, I decided to fully commit to that side of myself. After completing a third degree in art, I began building a body of work that blended disciplines in a way that felt natural and accessible. I started by selling original oil paintings, but quickly realized I wanted to create more approachable ways for people to connect with and collect my work. That shift led me into wearable design, including the creation of my Monarch Scarf, which gained attention online for both its visual style and sustainable production. Around the same time, I won an international art competition recognizing top-selling artists, which included a cash prize and a personal letter from the company’s CEO. That recognition became a major turning point and helped propel my fashion design work forward.
As the fashion side evolved, I began producing shows that combined original music, visuals, and storytelling alongside the release of my first book. That path eventually led to showcasing collections internationally and at New York Fashion Week.
Today, my work continues to evolve across mediums. My latest project, “Raindrops & Coffee,” combines poetry and original music as part of a larger mixed-media approach. No matter the format, the goal has remained the same: creating work that connects with people visually, emotionally, and narratively.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Early on, one of my challenges was learning how to develop creative work in environments where it wasn’t always immediately understood or taken seriously. When I began sharing my work more publicly, I encountered a wide range of responses, from constructive feedback to criticism that made me question my direction at times.
I also experienced rejection in more formal contexts. For example, when I initially explored opportunities in gallery settings, I was told I needed a more traditional academic background in fine art, which ultimately influenced my decision to return to school and formalize my studies.
On a more personal level, sharing early creative work also meant becoming comfortable with visibility and misunderstanding, especially while my work was still developing. That required learning how to continue creating without over adjusting my direction based on external reactions.
Over time, I learned to filter feedback more intentionally, taking what was useful for growth while not allowing criticism or external expectations to dictate the direction of my work. That process helped me build resilience and clarity in how I develop and present creative projects today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known for creating work that sits at the intersection of fashion, music, and visual storytelling, often through fashion presentations, performances, and mixed media projects. At the core of my work is translating emotion and identity into experiences that can be seen, heard, and felt across multiple formats.
I’m most proud of developing pieces that intentionally bridge these disciplines in an accessible and thoughtful way. For example, my Monarch Scarf was paired with my children’s book The Little Blue Worm, which carries a message about embracing your uniqueness and finding your “tribe” rather than trying to fit in. Together, they turned a wearable piece and a narrative into a shared storytelling experience rooted in both concept and craft. I’ve also created fashion presentations that integrate live music, visual art, makeup artistry, and narrative writing to build cohesive, immersive experiences for audiences.
What sets me apart is that I don’t separate my disciplines. My approach integrates fashion, music, and visual storytelling into a single cohesive vision. Each project is part of a larger creative ecosystem where these elements inform one another, allowing the work to exist beyond a single category or label.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
In a world filled with constant messaging and influence, I want my work to be a reminder that individuality is not something to minimize, but something to develop and express.
I’m not only interested in creating work that exists visually or musically, but in designing experiences that people can feel and connect with on a deeper level.
At this stage, I’m focused on continuing to expand that ecosystem through mixed media projects, collaborations, and storytelling formats that bring fashion, music, and visual art together in more immersive ways.
More than anything, I want readers to understand that my work is not about fitting into a single category or following a traditional path. It’s about creating a cohesive language where different creative forms can exist together in a way that feels intentional, accessible, and emotionally resonant.
Pricing:
- “Raindrops & Coffee” $10
- “The Little Blue Worm” $10
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/raindrops-coffee-freshly-brewed-thoughts-poured-into-poetry-z-b-sanders/1149174452
- Instagram: @zitabarbara
- Other: https://a.co/d/08vCwBkA
