We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carlos Alcantar acosta . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carlos below.
Carlos, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Amidst a period of personal darkness and a profound desire to create something positive, the idea for Foggy Clothing emerged. During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself grappling with the physical and emotional repercussions of two surgeries, spiraling into a state of despair. However, rather than succumbing to this overwhelming negativity, I chose to channel my pain into something meaningful, to transform my artistic expression into a force for good.
The concept of Foggy Clothing blossomed from a deep-seated yearning to showcase my art in a way that connected with others, to bridge the gap between creativity and everyday life. Drawing inspiration from the misty ambiance of my hometown, Half Moon Bay, I envisioned a clothing brand that would not only adorn people’s bodies but also uplift their spirits.
Embarking on this entrepreneurial journey was not without its hurdles. Launching a business from scratch, especially amidst a global crisis, presented its fair share of challenges. However, I was fortunate to have the unwavering support of my younger brother Abdiel, who became my business partner. His expertise in videography, photography, and expanding Foggy Clothing’s reach through branching out proved to be invaluable.
The encouragement and assistance extended by my family and friends further fueled my determination. Their willingness to promote, purchase, and model our designs instilled in us a sense of belonging and validation, reinforcing our belief in Foggy Clothing’s power to make a positive impact.
As an artist, I yearned to showcase my art in a way that resonated with others. Embroidery, with its intricate details and personalized touch, emerged as an ideal medium for expressing my creativity and connecting with a wider audience. The moment we unveiled the final product, a wave of childlike excitement washed over us. Seeing our creative vision transformed into tangible pieces of wearable art was a source of immense pride and fulfillment.
The positive feedback from clients served as a resounding affirmation that we were on the right track. Their anticipation for the next drop, the next hoodie, the next design, fueled our passion and motivated us to continue pushing boundaries. Navigating the creative world inevitably involves encountering both triumphs and setbacks. As an artist, I grappled with the reality that not everyone would resonate with my designs. However, I embraced this concept and recognized that personal taste is subjective.
Our mission at Foggy Clothing is to empower and clothe the world one garment at a time. We acknowledge that this journey entails embracing risks, dedicating countless hours, and learning from inevitable trials and errors. Yet, we remain grounded in our faith and steadfast in our commitment to continuous growth, adaptation, and innovation.
Our latest collection, “Bamboo Edition,” embodies the theme of embracing growth. Inspired by a motivational speaker’s analogy of bamboo’s resilience and unwavering ability to thrive despite challenges, we drew parallels between the plant’s unwavering determination and our own journey at Foggy Clothing.
The fulfillment of fully creating something, transforming my creative vision into tangible pieces that people can wear, ignites an unparalleled passion within me. It is this creative fire that propels me forward, driving me to continue this journey, one garment at a time.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Inspired by iconic brands like Supreme, Givenchy, Gucci, Prada, and local favorites like Cruiser Clothing and Wavendary, I embarked on a journey to bring my own unique vision to the clothing industry. With a deep belief in my ability to create designs that would resonate with a wide audience, I launched my brand, Foggy Clothing.
Foggy Clothing offers a range of high-quality streetwear apparel, including tracksuits, hoodies, crewnecks, shirts, hats, and beanies. Our designs are characterized by their uplifting and positive messaging, aiming to inspire and empower our wearers.
What sets Foggy Clothing apart is our unwavering commitment to creating dope, high-quality garments that people will genuinely love. We are passionate about making clothes that not only look great but also feel great to wear.
Our ultimate goal is to become a recognized and respected brand in the streetwear industry, and we are confident that our unique combination of creativity, passion, and quality will help us achieve this goal.
To anyone who is reading this, we want you to know that we are just getting started. We have a lot of crazy ideas, designs, and visions that we are eager to share with the world. We invite you to join us on this journey and be a part of history in the making.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
“The initial spark of our clientele came from our close-knit circle of friends and family. They were our first believers, the ones who took a chance on our designs and spread the word about Foggy Clothing. As our brand gained traction, social media emerged as a powerful tool for reaching a wider audience. We’ve connected with like-minded individuals who appreciate our dope, high-quality streetwear. However, the most effective marketing strategy, the one that has consistently fueled our growth, is word-of-mouth. When people wear our garments and receive compliments, they become walking billboards for Foggy Clothing. That organic, genuine endorsement is what truly separates us from the pack.”
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Launching Foggy Clothing was a bootstrap operation from the start. With just $700 in my pocket, I embarked on the entrepreneurial journey, determined to turn my vision into reality. Despite the limitations of my initial capital, I remained confident in my ability to create dope, high-quality streetwear.
The journey was far from smooth sailing. I faced inevitable setbacks and losses, moments when self-doubt crept in. However, I chose to view these challenges as learning curves, opportunities to refine my approach and emerge stronger.
With each successful sale, each positive customer review, each compliment from someone wearing my designs, I gained renewed confidence and motivation. Those small victories fueled my determination to keep pushing forward, to keep rinsing and repeating the process of growth and innovation.
Today, Foggy Clothing stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, inspiration and the unwavering belief in one’s idea coming to reality. With just $700, we’ve entered a door of possibilities in half moon bay a small town that has a market with increasing potential and for that I am proud to have my time and business invested
Contact Info:
- Instagram: foggy_clo
Image Credits
Natalie Miranda, Alejandro Ortiz, Guillermo Carillo