Meet Zoila
Zoila Cruz's love for sewing began at an early age. She opened her first business in her home town and then came to New York, where she worked for top designers that included Morgane Le Fay, Miguelina, Libertine, Thakoon, and more. She gradually began to set her sights on starting her own Sample Room in the Garment Center in 2005.
In 2020, Zoila was featured in the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) LatinX Series "LatinX and Proud" celebrating Hispanic heritage.
In addition to working with some of the top designers in New York, Zoila also helps bring sketches for emerging designers to life. Despite being based in New York City, she has helped new designers from Miami, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington DC, upstate New York, and more create their look. Through Instagram direct messages, email, video, and phone communication, she helps young designers go from sketch to model ready.
Zoila's Sample Room is now the home of many designers seeking her expert workmanship and ability to create their collections and even handle the first production.
Testimonials
"Zoila is The gem in NYC’s garment industry!! She is hardworking, knowledgeable, responsible, and always make the impossible possible. She and her team dedicate to make and produce samples most efficiently!! I enjoyed working with Zoila, and I highly recommend any fellow fashion design brands to work with Zoila’s Sample Room”
— Gloria Lee
“Zoila is the best in NYC lucky to have been able to work with Zoila when I started my company. Zoila always says yes and is very talented. Thank you Zoila for being there for all of us”
— Jonathan Simkhai
"Zoila is exceptional, a true artisan who will always go above and beyond to create the ultimate result together with her team. Zoila's Sample Room has developed runway sample collections, sales order production runs as well as made-to-measure red carpet and wedding gowns for my brand over the years. It is always a pleasure and I highly recommend Zoila's Sample Room"
— Camilla Staerk
"Zoila and her team are amazing. Not only do they deliver exceptional work with great quality, but Zoila is also very knowledgeable about patternmaking & garment construction and is quick to help if there are any questions in the design process. Zoila’s Sample Room is outstanding and I highly recommend their services"
— Fisayo Quadri
"We started working with her back in 2005 when she first started in a small room! She was instrumental in the growth and success of our ten-year line. Very talented"
— Teo Griscom
"I would not be where I am today! Zoila loves and cares so much about her designers. She nurtures us and makes sure our visions become a reality. She will literally whip together an entire collection for you in a week’s time if need be - because she is just that great! Zoila, Fausto, and the entire team of people are family forever she deserves the world!"
— HILA