Fashion icon Victor Costa talks fashion influence, growing up in Fifth Ward, and being the ‘Copycat’ king

Houston – Victor Costa, a legendary fashion designer known for bringing high-end fashion to the masses, recently shared stories from his incredible life and career on Houston Life.

Costa, often referred to as the “greatest copyist in the world,” reflected on his journey from humble beginnings in Houston’s Fifth Ward to rubbing elbows with the elite of New York, Paris, and beyond. Born during the Great Depression, Costa’s entrepreneurial spirit was inspired by his mother, who also had an eye for fashion. ran a boarding house for returning soldiers. He vividly recalls their Friday rent collections, with his mother carrying a gun for protection, and how that experience shaped his drive to succeed.

As a teenager, Costa discovered his talent for sewing. At just 16, he began making prom dresses, charging $12 for custom-made designs. His big break came when he made 12 bridesmaid dresses for a neighbor’s wedding, marking the start of his career in fashion. Costa attended the prestigious Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, one of the few schools that offered a degree in fashion design. He chose Pratt because it allowed him to complete his education in one place, rather than attending multiple institutions for different certifications. One of Costa’s unique claims to fame is his ability to recreate high-fashion designs for a fraction of the cost. In the era of “line-for-line” fashion, designers would purchase couture garments, pay a fee, and recreate the designs. Costa was renowned for his precision in copying these garments, earning him a reputation as the best in the world at his craft.

Watch his full interview in the player above.

Costa’s memoir, Copycat, chronicles his rise in the fashion industry, from designing dresses for bridesmaids in Houston to creating garments for First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Copycat, is now available, offering readers a deeper look into his extraordinary life and career.