Last year, Maria Dobrzanska Reeves, nicknamed Marysia, took the title of Charleston Fashion Week’s Emerging Designer: Southeast with her hipster spins on swimwear. Since then, she has acquired a veritable laundry list of accomplishments with her eponymous label, Marysia CHARLESTON, including presenting her line at Mercedes Benz Miami Fashion Week Swim, being picked up by Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, and attracting an even greater national presence in Sports Illustrated’s recent swimsuit edition. This spring, for CFW’s March 20 Fashion Finale, Marysia debuts her highly anticipated new collection. Here’s what she had to say in our fun fashion fill-in-the-blanks:

I started designing when I was 24.

I would describe my personal style as modern.

My top two favorite items in my closet are a vintage Chanel bag and my own “Avant” cover-up dress in rose.

In my opinion, the thing that makes a great designer is overall aesthetic.

My favorite fabric to work with is textured.

My greatest accomplishment in fashion is presenting at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Show in Miami.

One of my favorite moments from last year’s Charleston Fashion Week was my daughter giving me flowers after my show and, of course, winning!

The one thing I wish I could change about the fashion industry is to get rid of people who take advantage of new designers and their inexperience.

As a swimwear designer, it’s important for me to design flattering,  comfortable pieces—not everyone is a supermodel.

I think every woman’s wardrobe should have a bikini or maillot that makes her feel good.

Fashion is powerful.

 The celebrity that I would most want to see in my swimsuits is Chloë Sevigny.

My inspiration wall is filled with structured city vibes opposite a beautiful Fiji landscape.

The most bizarre design I ever created was a newspaper and plastic collection with bottle caps as nipple covers when I was in school.

Most people don’t know that in addition to designing, I also enjoy doing laundry.

If I were to make a mix tape for someone, it would include song selections by Carrie Underwood and Norah Jones.

The best fashion advice I received was “Go with your gut.”

With my new collection showing at Charleston Fashion Week, I am most excited about seeing the finished product all together. I love the runway—it’s my favorite moment to see the collection alive.

For tickets to the CFW Fashion Finale, including featured designer Maria Dobranska Reeves’ new collection, on Saturday, March 20, click here.