About Sandra Luz Paez

Sandra Luz Paez is a patternmaker for top designers, including Helmut Lang and Alexander Wang. Born in Mexico, she learned tailoring from her father, who instilled in her a focus on precision, attention to detail, and a creative vision—skills that shape her patternmaking today.

Building on the strong foundation she developed in tailoring and pattern making, Sandra graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. She began her career as an assistant designer and pattern maker for brands such as Laundry by Shelli Segal. In 1996, she moved to New York, where her creativity and skills helped her rise from assistant roles to important positions at renowned fashion houses. Top designers trusted her for her accuracy, reliability, and creative approach.

Two years after moving to New York, Sandra opened Frida's Closet, her Brooklyn shop, and ran it from 1998 to 2007. There, she created custom patterns for each client, turning every project into a unique collaboration. Even before sustainability became common in fashion, Sandra used leftover fabrics from local sources, saving materials that might have been thrown away. This approach reduced waste and enabled clients to receive one-of-a-kind garments.

Today, Sandra continues her commitment to sustainable fashion through her latest venture, Atelier LDS, in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. She works with new designers, mentoring them in ethical fashion and zero-waste practices, and combines traditional pattern-making with modern technology.

Sandra focuses on community projects and hosts workshops to teach aspiring designers and pattern makers cost-effective practices and sustainable conscious practices.