Inspired by her Brazilian roots, Gabriela Perezutti looks at her clothing line Candela as a celebration of nature, life and happiness. Showing for the second time at New York Fashion Week, Candela is a mix of American and European aesthetics with a casually eclectic gaucho style that lets the wearer make a statement while staying completely comfortable. The Fall / Winter 2012 collection being presented at Fashion Week is inspired by the Gold Rush Era in California and is slightly darker than the Spring / Summer line but still features brilliant pops of color.

Perezutti has also been on the other side of the fashion industry — she put her studies on hold when she was 21 in order to work the runway. "I’ve worked as a model when I was younger, I worked in a showroom doing sales, and I also did designs, so I have worked in all the different areas," she told Uinterview exclusively. "It’s all about creating a sense of illusion — an image. So it is great and it’s entertaining."

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Q: Tell us a little about your show today and how it compares to past seasons. - Uinterview User

The main inspiration behind the show was the Gold Rush Era in California. Basically, it is a little darker than our usual Candela collections, but you still see a lot of colors coming out. There are some deep purples, some greens, and dark blues. So there is still color, but slightly darker than usual.

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Q: Did you have a main inspiration for the season? - Uinterview User

The main focus was the Gold Rush Era in California... I come from Uruguay in South America and we have a family farm there and it [the Gold Rush Era] is the same time that my great grandfather came from the south and we are still there.

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Q: Do you have any favorite pieces that we should look out for? - Uinterview User

I love all [of] the collection, and it doesn’t usually happen, but I am very excited by all the pieces. But I would say the loafer velvet shoes are kind of hot.

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Q: You used to be a model and even appeared in Italian Vogue. What is your feeling now, as a designer, since you've seen Fashion Week happen from both perspectives? - Uinterview User

I’ve worked as a model when I was younger, I worked in a showroom doing sales, and I also did designs, so I have worked in all the different areas. It’s all about creating a sense of illusion — an image. So it is great and it’s entertaining.

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Q: Do you feel for the models when you see them? - Uinterview User

Oh, yes, I do! Tremendously! The casting, looking at the pictures... there’s a lot of rejection being a model.