Dressed head to toe in pink with a multicolor ascot and perfectly quaffed hair, internationally renowned fashion designer Juan José Saenz-Ferreyros projects his professional and artistic acclaim.
He walks gracefully through his boldly colorful Berwick home with poodles Gucci and Coco Chanel, recalling his modeling career during his days growing up in Peru.
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Saenz-Ferreyros, who was crowned Mr. Peru in 1987, moved to the United States in the early 2000s and to Columbus in 2014, enticed by the shopping and fashion culture at Easton.
The lower level of the home is dedicated to his work designing high-end fashion for his couture brand, Ferreyros Life. He also has a store called Juanjo Ferreyros Atelier in Lima, Peru. The sunroom is filled with at least 10 sewing machines. Stacks of neatly organized fabrics share space with family photos, paintings and mannequins. Another room stores finished gowns in a kaleidoscope of colors, some even with a matching outfit for a dog or child.
The designer has made garments for pageant contestants including Miss Universe Colombia and Miss Peru USA, and his pieces have graced the runways of shows in New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Columbus.
Saenz-Ferreyros often starts cutting straight into fabric without measuring beforehand, knowing from experience he’ll get the design, pieces and sizes correct. He weaves together medleys of colors, patterns, accessories and textures to meet each client’s personality and cultural background.
Asked if there’s someone he hasn’t yet designed for who he would love to work with, he responds with a smile: “Maybe Cher!”
This story appeared in the June 2026 issue of Columbus Monthly. Subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on Columbus Monthly: Step Inside Designer Juan José Saenz-Ferreyros’ Berwick Studio
Reporting by Tim Johnson, Columbus Monthly / Columbus Monthly
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tim Johnson, Columbus Monthly | USA TODAY Network
