What began as a dream is now reality.  Sonia Santiago started her successful designer career sewing the dresses of her dolls when she was only 8 years old.  With focus, determination, and self-confidence at such young age, she realized that she wanted to dedicate her life to dress up the most beautiful women in Puerto Rico and in the world.  As a great pupil she was, young Sonia used to observe how her mother and aunts sewed.  By the time she turned 14, she started making dresses for herself and her friends.  She took classes with Carlota Alfaro at the age of 18 while doing her bachelors degree in political science in the University of Puerto Rico .  Upon graduation, she married Amador Vázquez, who, besides being her husband, is currently her partner, accountant, and right hand of her company, Sonia Santiago Inc.

            Sonia, mother of Patricia and Fernando, started selling her items to several small boutique stores during 1992.  She began with the line “Patricia”, inspired by her own daughter that targeted pre-teen girls.  The huge success of this line was marked by the fact that it sold in over 60 boutiques and 2 department stores, González Padin and JC Penney.

The success obtained with “Patricia” led to the creation of another line, but this time targeting the adult market.  This new line, “Sonia Santiago”, focused on special occasions.  Many women still have their sweet sixteen or graduation dresses with the “Sonia Santiago” label.  This line is still selling in different boutiques across Puerto Rico .

As a great entrepreneur, Sonia managed to cover more market share every year.  During 1997, she unveiled the “SS by Sonia Santiago” label, created exclusively for Sears.  In 2004, she also hosted the fashion section of one of the local news station.  Additionally, she designed the entire wardrobe for the main characters of Telemundo’s soap opera, “Dueña y Señora”.

Sonia has dressed up high profile personalities, such as Denise Quiñones (Miss Universe 2001), Wilnelia Merced Forsyth (Miss World 1975), actresses Adamari López and Karla Monroig, and singer Melina León and Objetivo Fama 5 winner, Cristina Eustace, among others.  She has also been part of different fashion shows in New York , Las Vegas , Dominican Republic , Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago.  Several fashion magazines have written articles and fashion editorial with her dresses, such as CARAS, Buena Vida, Imagen, Fashionista (El Nuevo Día) and Escenario (El Vocero), HELLO! London and Elle Canada.

            The 2007 became an important year since she was recognized with the Top Woman Award during the Women Expo in San Juan and she launched her internet website. She also reinvent herself with a new haute couture label called “Santiago Couture”. This label promises to bring more success for Sonia Santiago.