EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Clara Lago Founder of Pitusa
Clara Lago is the founder of Pitusa, a
collection of beautifully crafted,
transnational, high quality garments
dedicated to comfort, coziness, and color.
Pitusa is Known for the Inca Abayas which
are the most modern kaftans I have ever
seen, they are colorful, summery, and very
Clara! Each Abaya contains a message of
peace to the middle-east...
I've quickly fallen in love with Clara's
work, every piece is wearable and very
Ramadan appropriate... As so, I've decided
to post this interview on the 1st day of
Ramadan.
Here's my EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with the
talented beauty...
F:When did you start Pitusa?
C:I launched a small collection in December
2010, but Pitusa really took off in May
2011.
F:Why did you choose Pitusa as the name of
your brand?
C:My Dad’s nickname for me is Pitusa. In
Spanish, it means “funny cute little girl”.
F:Were your parents in the fashion business
at all? Are they artists in anyway?
Not at all, my father is an economist and
my mother is a linguist, but both my
grandmothers knitted and made all sorts of
amazing things.
F:Pitusa has a lot of middle-eastern
inspired kaftans or abayas as you've named
them, which are very appealing for us as
Arab women, were we your target audience or
did you want to introduce a new and modern
kaftan to the world?
C:Well, Pitusa specializes in cross-
cultural fusion, hence “Inca Abaya”. The
Middle Eastern Abaya inspired the design
and the threading provided the Inca touch
that so many Pitusa items have. However,
most people refer to it as a kaftan. One of
my best friends just moved to Jeddah so at
her request, I will be making a real Abaya,
but with a Pitusa twist. My target audience
has always been women all over the world.
F:You use a lot of original fabrics like
alpaca fur and wool, or recycled bubble
wrap which is only used by Pitusa, Could
you tell us more about your unique fabrics?
C:I really like alpaca fur and wool, one of
Peru’s textile gems, so I thought it would
be fun to use these fabrics. I also love
pima cotton, so deliciously soft.
The Recycled Fabric is made from recycled
plastic bottles (I have seen the process
being done in the factory it is quite
incredible), the process to make it also
uses 50% less carbon footprint than a
normal fabric. I thought the material was
perfect for Trackies.
F:Tell us about Pitsua's '12/'13
collection, what new creations are in the
making?
C:We are doing leggings, a cat suit, comfy
pants, hoodies and an alpaca kimono; we are
using lots of velvets and fun new fabrics,
I’m excited!
F:10 years from now, what do you want your
line to be known for?
C:Comfortable, colorful and well-made
clothing, made from high-end fabrics.
F:Your line is Eco-friendly, were you
always environmentally aware?
C:I do my part with recycling but I am not
a green peace hippy or anything.
Pitusa is definitely a socially conscious
line. I make sure that the clothing is
being manufactured in good working
conditions, in line with international
human rights standards, and not being
produced by 9-year-old girls that should be
in school.
F:What tips would you give to an aspiring
designer?
C:That designing is one thing and having a
line is another, so I think designers
should really see where their talent will
be put best to use, that may not be having
their own line. In a year, I probably spend
as little as 10% or less of my time
designing.
F:Describe your personal style?
C:I cannot classify my “style”. I just wear
things I find interesting, fun, and
comfortable.
F:What are your favorite cities? (list your
favorite restaurants and shopping spots in
each city)
C:Lima: The food is out of this world. The
fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine is
amazing, few people know that the Nobu chef
and founder trained in Lima in a restaurant
called “Matsuei”. Other top restaurants,
(there are so many) “La Mar” “Maido”
“Panchita”. There are amazing markets for
shopping all over Lima and there is a
shopping mall called Larcomar that is on
the sea, beautiful view.
Madrid: Top restaurants “Laredo” “El Lamdo
“El pescador”… For shopping a street called
Serrano
Istanbul: For shopping nisantasi, istinye
park and for restaurants Gunaydin,
Yuzevler, and Moulette
Ibiza: For shopping Ibiza Bagus (where
Pitusa is stocked :) and for restaurants
Amante, Km5, Novum, Aura…
F:Describe your perfect day?
C:Spending the day at the beach with my
boyfriend, and having guacamole for lunch.
F:List 3 items that are always present in
your bag?
C:Cigarettes, a Pitusa postcard, and my
phone.
F:Blogs are very 'in' these days, do you
follow any fashion blogs?
C:Unfortunately, I don't but I am grateful
for all those that have posted something
about Pitusa. My friend in Peru just
started a blog www.leblogdemaud.com and I know
she has had over night success with it.
F:Are you thinking of opening your own
boutique or are you satisfied with your
online shop while stocking in most major
cities?
C:Online is the best way to reach women all
over the world, and being stock listed in
as many countries as possible helps
Pitusa’s visibility. I won't rule out
having a Pitusa store franchise,
eventually.
F:Could you take pictures of 2 of your
favorite outfits, an everyday look and a
night out look.
For more information, visit Pitusa's
website:
http://www.pitusa.co.uk/home.html
Posted by Felwa Al-Hudaithy at 7:09 PM
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Labels: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
1 comment:
1.
AnonymousJuly 20, 2012 8:37 PM
I love Pitusa , C Lago is talented and smart , her line is cool !
Sarah
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Felwa Al-Hudaithy
"It’s a new era in fashion - there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal
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