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

Hi Joaquin, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

The beauty for any creative is there is always going to be something to learn in the craft. Perhaps, that’s why I keep trying to push the needle. The emotion, the blood, sweat and tears poured into each project comes with learning how to elevate it from the last. I believe in having a passion for something is wanting to know everything about that something, no matter how long or difficult it seems. I develop this almost healthy obsession in my craft. My obsession began when I picked up my first needle and thread about 5 years ago. That same moment I knew it was going to be a part of me until my last breathe.

Spring of 2019, it was my second semester sophomore year. One course I took at the time was an art elective. The foundation of the class just explored the basics of art and some of its philosophies. Fun as it was, it was the professor who had made the difference to me. Nearing the end of the semester he had prompted the entire class with his final project. The prompt wasas follows “create any art piece of your choice, whether it’s a painting, a poem, a song, a sculpture etc… don’t worry be free with it, I’ve seen it all.” He said “…I’ve seen it all.” my competitive nature took over and now I wanted to challenge myself in trying to show him something he hasn’t seen. For about the next week I was brainstorming. Suddenly, I had this urge to want to create an article of clothing from scratch. Nothing drew me to this, there was no social media article or video I came across that told me I should try upcycle clothing. I just came to it myself on wanting to learn to sew and tear some clothes up. I always enjoyed clothing and sought to present myself in the best way I could but never until that prompt did I want to make an article of clothing. I ended up going to Walmart and spent $20 on all the supplies I thought I needed. I then grabbed three old pairs of jeans from my closet that I hadn’t worn in years and went to work. I made an attempt to create a jacket by hand cut & sew style with these tools. By the end of it, I had what you might be able to consider at best a smock but certainly no jacket. However, I was so proud of it, I was so proud of myself and the fulfillment it gave me. For the first time in my life did I feel like I had full control of my decisions. I had submitted the piece to my professor and he graded it right in front of me, however, the only thing he had said to me at the end was “have you ever considered investing in a sewing machine? because I see the passion in this” I’m sure you could guess how I felt after leaving his office.

That same week I had gone to Walmart and bought $40 sewing machine. for the next few months I just went to town and tore up old clothes, went to goodwill, asked friends and family for old materials and just played around. I watched Youtube videos and read sewing book tips. I kept trying to master the art of making a jacket, throughout I would mix in different projects like hoodies, bucket hats, totes etc. Only in the last year have I felt I finally had a jacket I was proud to sell. I continue to hone my skill and learn different techniques and have even gone more specific by discovering techniques by different countries and cultures. I am now doing shows, exhibits and capsule collections. The work is never done.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I would tell most people, for me to have become as deeply involved as I am with my craft and my industry as I am now, came merely from this ever-growing curiosity and interest of what fashion could mean to me. Prior to beginning this new journey and passion, I was studying to go to medical school. Most of my interest in that field was aimed towards psychology. I wills always find the human mind to be such a beautiful thing. Why I might like it is because it can be the most dangerous thing but also the safest thing. However, because we are not mind-readers, I saw clothing as a means of looking into someone’s mind. Thought process, decision making, emotional attachment etc. these are all things that can be seen from a persons daily wear. More surface level questions are raised as well, what’s their job?, do they enjoy just dressing in a suit everyday?, are they lazy? etc. I continue to keep emotion and psychology top of mind when I create my pieces from screen printed t-shirts to more upper echelon tailoring. At the end of the day I want people to feel good ass best as they can be when they put on my pieces. I don’t expect people to be 100% all the time because that is an impossible ask but if I can help one person smile a day through the time and love I put into my garments, then that’s enough. I am most proud of 2023 =, the most for PASCO has happened this year from being displayed in exhibits to runway shows, to big custom orders. I feel like I’m finally doing something right. My staple piece is a jacket. I love to paint a jacket from so many angles because I think it is the most versatile piece in any wardrobe just like the way we think.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Unlearning to NOT be selfish. I know we all grew up hearing “don’t be selfish”, “sharing is caring”, “only take what you can finish” etc. By no means am I saying is there anything wrong with being selfless however, when it comes to being a creative and selling a product you are proud of and create, there needs to be an understanding of knowing your worth. Admitting my worth, believing in my worth, and standing firm on my worth was a big thing I struggled with. I always wanted people to have my product to have it because it made me happier to see it however, I couldn’t keep working for free. I’m pouring out so much with no pay off. Yes, maybe I do get to put a smile on someone’s face by offering them a garment they get to wear all the time. On the other hand, as much as that might give me joy, I began to realize that if that’s something I want to do long term, I need to understand my worth and be selfish. There was certainly a defining moment I realized I had to stand firm on my worth. As my recognition amongst my community was growing, I became blinded by excitement. A few people who have wanted my pieces for a while were ready to do some custom orders. I went through the whole process of creating a custom piece and upon almost finishing people backed out. I made the mistake of not taking deposit, not defining any ground rules and continued to do my work out of excitement. However, I now sat there with a wasted fabric and very specific pieces that I would have to find another client/customer for. Any project I had taken on after that I made sure to take %50 deposit and a non refundable negotiation. The process is a extremely exciting for both the client and I but I did need to set ground rules.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I want to make the world smile.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pascostudio.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joaquin.pasco/
• Linkedin: Joaquin Pasco

Image Credits
Hannah Kiks John Ross Foy Mykalin Gordon