This Week’s WOW! Evita Loca Designs Pieces No One Can Ignore
This Week’s WOW! Featured designer is Evita Mensah, professionally known as Evita Loca. Evita Loca says, “Through design and art I figured that everyone needs a dramatic stage name or alias. So the deal about me and my craft is that I hate being told what to do, unfortunately, as adults, we have to follow rules (or else someone ends up in jail). With art I can bypass all of the rules and simply DO WHAT I WANT without anyone standing in the way. My recipe to creating looks stems off of the humor I find in the Fashion Industry…the industry that claims to have no rules but tends to be the most stressful at times. I also pull inspiration from childhood. As a first generation African American growing up in a strict household, it seemed my creativity got me into the most trouble and my ”different” upbringing made great for the other kid’s comedic material.”
She goes on to say “fast forward years later, with the help of YouTube, thrift store fabric and a story to tell, I became a local hit through designing pieces NO one could ignore. My work had been called ‘non-cohesive, ‘not what we are looking for’, ‘good but where would anyone wear that??” Despite the negativity, I STILL was able to do what the hell I wanted through this art. And unlike painting, I was able to walk out of the house and display my work at any given time.”
Intriguing? Spectacular Magazine (SM) wants to get to know a little more about Evita Loca (EL).
SM: Who was and/or what was your inspiration for your designs?
EL: My inspiration is pretty simple…my humor, my childhood and my cultural influences.
SM: What was the biggest rookie mistake you made when just starting out?
EL: Listening to too many ”ideas” people had and agreeing to take on projects that marginalized my creativity.
SM: What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
EL: My strengths of designing are actually my mistakes… I sew because I have to and because I am excited to work just to see final results. When I fuck up it makes for a need to “cover up” that ‘mistake’ in a creative way by creating an illusion. My weakness is fast fashion retailers that cater partially to the same demography as my brand.
SM: Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?
EL: In ten years I’ll be somewhere NOT SEWING, instead designing through a screen and helping people make the best of their predicaments through fashion and art.
SM: What do you enjoy doing other than designing?
EL: At fashion shows I sit in the audience like a creep and take editorial shots of live action events and I mysteriously send them out to the attendees. Photography made me a better designer I think.
SM: If you could have dinner with any famous person, who would you choose and why?
EL: I would love to chop it up with PATRICIA FIELD! (if you’re seeing this I’m open for adoption). She is one of the GOAT of the fashion industry. She is so low-key yet still makes ripples in the industry by helping other startup fashion designers and hosting NYC’s best in-studio events!
SM: How can people find out more about you, your designs, shows, etc.?
EL: You can follow my work, my shenanigans and my story on Instagram @evita_loca
To buy or window shop, check out Evitaloca.com
Evita Loca Designs
