Lucia Bosch - Giving a second chance

PhotoshootBlog

Jun 27

With a long history behind us, Lucia and I have re-encountered many times in our lives. First her dad and my mom dated for a while, and at the time our age difference made it hard for us to relate, but a couple of years later we reconnected through friends and became very close, we even worked together! Now, Lucia is an entrepreneur based in Mexico City who along the side of her partner Ximena de Iturbide launched Armario Comunal - a second hand clothing pop up. She also has a handbag brand called Juana de Mexico, which she manufactures in Mexico and designs herself. When thinking of who would be the next “Fortune of changes'' interview I had Lucia in mind, as I’ve been witnessing her projects closely and I think she is and has always been looking to revamp Mexican traditional standards. There’s a lot of opportunities to bring new and innovative projects to Mexico.

Mid June I went to her apartment Downtown Mexico City. She lives in this stunning Art Deco building where the renowned jazz bar ZINCO is. The building is absolutely fabulous, robust, gray with golden lights and symmetrical accents which make you feel back in the 1950's.

O: So, I just briefly introduced you, but can you tell us more about Armario Comunal? How did the idea surge and what was the thought behind starting this because it is an amazing idea that no one in mexico had ever really thought of

L: Beyond fashion, personal style has always been something I am very passionate about. I love seeing people being they’re most authentic selves - when they take risks to be different and unique. I love finding gems in the least expected places or seeing potential in things you wouldn't even imagine becoming “something else”. I believe in second opportunities as each and every one of us give a different meaning to what we own, this is the main idea that lead to create Armario Comunal.

One day while talking to my business partner Ximena, we were discussing all the clothes that just sit on our closets dusting. We were wondering what it would look like to be seen by new eyes… so we gathered all our close friends and told them to take things they no longer wore or had bored them, and we made exchanges between us all.

People heard about this and wanted to join, so we saw a great opportunity to gather clothes and create an inventory which eventually became a good amount to set up as a pop up, and from there it's been more than 5 years that we have not stopped and this has taught us the importance of not wasting and to be conscious when we buy new things.

O: What have you learnt about this business and do you want to share any surprising and exciting things about it

L: I’ve learnt that it is a very noble business, where it is 100% based on creativity, as there is a lot to do to uncared or unwanted clothes, The most important thing I’ve learnt is how important it is to be conscious in how we consume, as clothes are not degradable and sometimes it is better to repair, recycle or re invent. It is undeniable that we live in a time where marketing makes us shop non stop. However, this has led us to consume without reasoning or intention, making things become obsolete.

These past 5 years we have realized that people are becoming more and more conscious, also this initiative has spread our message across a city where people did not have this ideology, but seeing things change slowly and people joining makes me really happy.

O: Changing subjects a little - I mentioned Juana de Mexico, your handbag brand before. Could you share what is the inspiration behind your creations?

L: Juana was born from my boredom (ha - as ideas usually do). When I had a 9-5pm job and I was eager to have a side thing for myself since my job was not very inspiring. I have always been very creative and I tried to take the lead on ideas before the spark died off. At that time in my life I realized that making bags wouldn't be so compicated as they aren't any sizes or complicated variants to them. And this was the perfect excuse to experiment with all my interests such as photography, fashion, colors, materials and so on.

Juana evolved along the years, and I could say it is very simple and minimalist since the intention is to keep them as long as possible but also for it to be practical enough to take a paper envelope or a bunch of essential things you need throughout your day. Bottom line, is “the simpler the better.”

O: Given that you’ve made a lot of very cool trips around Mexico - what would you tell people from abroad to visit/do?

L: I love Mexico. There’s so much to do and explore - I still have a .lot of things to discover but one of my favorite experiences was a camping trip I did last year, all along the coast of Sonora, in the high California Gulf. These were the most impressive landscapes I had ever witnessed, like the Paredones, Altar Dessert Pinacate and the beaches in the reservoir of el Cajon del Diablo.