Photo: via claroschavez Canva site
Franchesca Claros-Chavéz, founder of Claros-Chavéz, fears
obscurity more than criticism, and says the industry gets its
“egotistical” creatives wrong.
Nightlife Report Interview: Founders & Creatives. Quotes are verbatim from her written
answers. Italic passages marked “Narration” are our paraphrase.
“Todos tienen una historia que contar- everyone had a story to
tell”
Narration (paraphrase): Franchesca comes from NOVA/DMV in
Virginia, where, she says, many people weren’t expected to make it out.
In her second year of college she lost her serving job, and that’s when
she started her business.
The moment
“when I was in my second year of college. I was let go of my serving
job. I knew in that moment I was meant for more than just following the
social norms. Following the rules, people, and groups. I began to start
my business doing alterations for people on campus. Got my name known
that I ended up on my schools paper. I knew if I could do something as
small as hemming pants I couldn’t imagine what I could do in other
places in the world.”
The opinion her
industry won’t say out loud
“People can be self centered or egotistical. This could be true but
in reality all of us are just trying to get ourselves out there. We may
put up a wall but in reality we are hiding behind that wall that makes
us afraid of failing. Even when we wanna try to be proud of ourselves we
can be shown as that self centered or egotistical when in reality we are
just celebrating our wins from the work we love doing.”
Obscurity, not criticism
“I’ve feared obscurity more than criticism. I’ve never been afraid of
people having opinions about my work because I believe everyone is
entitled to their own perspective. What scares me more is having ideas,
creativity, and something meaningful to offer but never giving myself
the opportunity to share it with the world or make the impact I know I
can.”
Going all in alone
“Going all in alone… many usually stating a business have help around
them an extra set of hands. For me I’ve always been independent which
has benefited me but sometimes has brought me down. I would most
definitely do it again because it got me to where I am today.”
The money
“All honesty money has been the biggest obstacle nothing in this life
is free and we all work for something/ invest and I decided to do that
for myself”
Narration (paraphrase): She says her first real money went
to paying down debts, helping her parents pay for school, buying her own
school supplies, investing in a community she was building, and creating
her school’s first Latinx fashion show. She used the rest to move to
another country.
RelatedPrincess Keilani: Freedom Over Fame
Photo: the Latinx Fashion
Show at VCU, from her own site. Per her site, she co-founded the show
with Lirio Vera Alva.
Photo: from the Collections
page of her site.
The work
“I offer original, thoughtfully designed pieces that combine
upcycling, craftsmanship, and unexpected cultural influences. Instead of
mass-produced clothing, customers get something distinctive, creative,
and made with intention.”
Her pillars: “Culture, community, expression, and storytelling”
“Now is the time to bring more meaning back into fashion, celebrating
individuality, culture, and the stories behind what we wear rather than
just following trends.”
The 10X goal
“I want to see my designs worn around the world, collaborate with
influential designers and creatives, create opportunities for
underrepresented designers, and build something that inspires the next
generation.”
On the industry’s headlines
Big-name collaborations, art or marketing? >
“Collaborations become interesting when two creative visions come
together to make something unexpected rather than just putting two names
together to sell a product. There should be creativity and purpose
behind it.”
Who decides who becomes a face? > “I think it’s a
combination of both, but audiences have more influence today because of
social media. People connect with personalities, stories, and
representation, not just appearances. Sometimes the audience makes
someone recognizable before the industry does.”
Founders who sell and stay? > “Selling doesn’t
mean losing your vision as long as you still have a voice in the
creative direction.”
Couture? > “I think couture still matters because
it’s where designers can really push creativity, craftsmanship, and
imagination without as many limitations.”
Lightning round
- Fame, wealth, freedom or impact: “Freedom, impact,
wealth, and fame” - How far ahead she plans: “Further than anyone will
remember me” - Off-planet living: “Out among the stars — no
ceiling” - A one-way trip to another world: “Yes I would, I’m
a fresh start of person love to experience new things especially ones
are afraid to try.” - Superintelligence: “I believe it can be both.
Depending on how us humans wants to use it for good or bad.” - Legacy, for whom: “Whoever is out there, wherever
they end up” - Her TED talk: “mentality: can either make you or
break you but it’s all up to you.”
Her own question
Question: are you afraid of anything?
Answer: yes, not living my life to the fullest.
Follow Franchesca: @claroschavezx
Support independent interviews: patreon.com/aperlas
nightlifereport.app | Tips: editor@nightlifereport.app | 1049
Havenhurst Dr, Unit 67, West Hollywood, CA 90046
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