Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Fernanda Alvarez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Fernanda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I was 13 years old and I needed money to buy something but my parents wouldn´t give to me so I found a box of embroidered elastics in my parents basement and created women’s belts. I made 50 black pieces and 50 white pieces, figured out sizes and I hand sew them, and sold them all in my mom´s fashion show (she’s a designer as well) I´ve always been very creative and powered by uniqueness. Decided to pursue a different career where I was also using all of my creativity and where I developed my PR skills. I always had a thing for design on the side and decided to step back 0f the kitchens and go all. in when the pandemic started, back in 2020 and I moved back to Mexico City to re connect with my roots and immerse myself in a world full of colors + the love of my family. I started creating little pieces on my mom´s workshop while learning and getting confident and 6 months in, I was already selling my creations and re ordering supplies.
This experience connected me with myself and my true purpose: to create pieces for all the authentic individuals seeking for something that makes them feel unique and special.

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
La funky Mexicana was born literally as a therapy after a major mental breakdown in which I found colors as my healing meditations. After a couple of posts, where I was using them, my friends started asking to buy them. So I created a line for pets inspired in my furry baby, Simona. I always knew my style was very unique, so I started creating really funky stuff and I saw people´s acceptance, which helped me to improve my thecnique and find new ways of keep creating. Since the beginning I´ve always been the brain & soul behind each creation and every sale, making sure the client feels safe and which I understand is as important as the product, to make them feel safe and empower them to keep on being unique, since my products are for everyone who dares to be unique.

since I started, I always knew that I did not wanted my stuff to be a one purchase only, I wanted my customers token on coming for more and help them build their style (in case they didn’t have one).

I also knew I was not inventing anything new but I wanted to perfect my products to be the best out there.

It makes me very proud every time someone gets something from my store because I really believe they take a piece of México and a piece of my heart with them.

I want to break rules, empower people to use colors and help them feel good about who they are. At least that’s what La Funky Mexicana has given me: a lot of power and strength to embrace and celebrate who I am.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I guess not everybody really recognizes the work behind every piece when it says HANDMADE. Honestly I didn’t understood until started creating my pieces and got messages about being expensive.
I also think that if we sell ourselves short people will never give the real value to our products. So it’s our job to feel confident about the piece we are selling despite any negotiation. Work is not negotiable. The amount of heart and soul put into every piece cannot be quantified. The amount oh hours designing, finding the right pieces, and having the right hands to do the job is not easy and has to be clear: a handmade piece that is unique has more value than anything in the world.
I wish all artists and artisans stand up for themselves and never sell themselves short. It took me a while until I figured out that what I am doing is very special.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is for everyone to understand and proudly wear the MADE IN MEXICO stuff. all of it. everywhere around the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lafunkymexicana.etsy.com
• Instagram: @lafunkymexicana
• Facebook: La Funky Mexicana