We recently connected with La Kaliente and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, La thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
I am building something that I want to last forever, something that will be passed on for generations to come. I want what I build to leave a mark that inspires & innovates the youth all over the world. I want to make a difference and change lives. My business can create opportunities for people, as well as the less fortunate. I want to create a way where poverty can be overcome by the application of passion & creativity through art, fashion & music.
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.
I created my business Blue Strips, (@bluestrips.la) as a dba, named after the blue hundred dollar bill. I wanted to expand from making music into making merchandise apparel that represents my vision. I started my journey with samples that I designed. I began to showcase my designs in different fashion show events. I realized that I wasn’t getting the full experience I was looking for so I partnered with @under_groundla & began to curate my own fashion shows. @Kariwood_ & I created “Fashion After Dark”. Each show has a different theme where we feature collections made by different fashion designers (including myself) & present them with models on the runway. I’ve built a media team that comes out to every show and captures the content professionally. It has really grown into something amazing and inspiring to the community. We’ve done 5 shows so far and we will be having a summer fashion event at the end of June 2023. This event will be at a rooftop pool overlooking the city of Los Angeles. I am very excited, so please be on the look out! I will be promoting this event so you will have a chance to catch the next upcoming Fashion After Dark show! You don’t want to miss it! We definitely have so much in store and so many ideas we want to bring to life! This is only the beginning, I strive to leave my mark not only in California but nationwide and worldwide! Milan here I come!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
As a woman in the entertainment industry which is predominantly men, the journey has been difficult in many ways. I started making music as therapy, a stress reliever. It went from something I did for fun to something I was actually good at. I began to build my music catalog so that I could eventually release the songs to the public. I’ve been performing my music for about 4 years now. I started performing in underground venues where it became a hassle to be treated professionally. The level of respect I was looking for was like pulling teeth. I felt because I was a woman that I wasn’t seen as an equal. I got played with a lot. I was left to perform last minute many times, one time my mic didn’t even work. I still, no matter what finished the job and put on a show. It was very discouraging but I pushed through all the low budget venues and finally found my way out to better venues in better areas. I just kept building and was more selective on the bookings I accepted. I started to carry myself as more of a business woman than an “artist”. Once I did that I believe everything changed. Now I am performing with fire dancers and I have my own media team. I am super grateful for my growth and I strive to keep elevating in this industry. I changed the game when I started doing my own fashion shows, that’s when I realized I could set my own tone. It’s never easy when you are featured in some one else’s event and have to go by their rules. I learned that if you want something done a certain way you have to do it yourself. It has taken a lot of discipline and practice but I believe that with dedication & application anything can be done.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
My first fashion show that I curated was very random and very last minute. I had two weeks to execute the vision. It was so chaotic but also very fun at the same time. I work well under pressure so I knew I had to give it my all. The venue was already locked in so I first went hunting for designers and models. I wanted it to be an exclusive event, so I chose to have 5 designers, including myself. I then decided to showcase 8-10 looks per designer to keep the show short & sweet but still effective. Once I had everything in order, I had the flyer made and promoted it on social media. The night of the show was hectic, I dealt with a lot of personalities and egos. That night I learned patience is key. The most important aspect is the experience. It was my first event so it definitely wasn’t perfect. I learned that the most important thing for people is to keep them happy, confident & comfortable. Throwing your own event takes a lot of people pleasing, after all you want them to return to work with you again. I directed the 5 different sets for each of the designers and they all did very well. It’s quality over quantity! My media captured the content and the videos came out fantastic! It was a complete success! Even with my overhead I was still able to profit, I knew then that I could actually do this all the time! That was the beginning of me becoming a curator & director. Every show has gotten better, although there are always things to overcome! The first two shows were just fashion, then I upgraded the show to include performances by recording artists. My last show had an artist on the runway painting on an easel while the models walked! The growth has been epic! I want to continue implementing fashion, art & music in my shows. Only the future knows what’s in store for me! It’s definitely not about falling it’s about getting back up, to keep going even when others don’t see the vision! Actions will separate you from the basics. When you show the public you are capable the doors will start to open. Where there is a will there is a way!
Contact Info:
- Website: Bluestripsla.com & https://music.apple.com/us/artist/la-kaliente/1607499202
- Instagram: Iamlakaliente & Bluestrips.la
- Facebook: BluestripsLA
- Twitter: Iamlakaliente
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC04ZUbBUhFcTd3ppUXfsd5w
Image Credits
Media: @skot_media @adastreetpics @thatsseethrough Models: @itscelestesummers_ @lovealiar @gigixmartini @mirandamonroe.xo @_jassette_ @yeongaraofficial @whiteladypills @negritolindorey @lane.Brodie @sickmindedjuvenilez @kahmone_calibaby @jbthemodel @mainly.layy_ @fernando____contreras @theesinderrella