Changes of fortune No. 2 - Caroline Lucia

Credit: Nathalie Mtz.A

Caroline and I met back in Paris in 2016. We were introduced by a common friend since I was living there at the time and she needed a place to stay for a couple of days. Since that first time we met at La Banquette Cafe - cute little coffee place in Le Marais a couple of blocks away from my old apartment we became good friends. We shared a lot in common, since she started her career in New York and then moved to Poland, LA and eventually ended up in Mexico City.

She now works for Zii Ropa and is an amazing photographer that captures life and moments through her lense.  

O: So, I’ve introduced a little bit about yourself and how we met which has been for almost 5 years. Do you want to tell us a little bit about your jumping around the globe?

C: New York City is a transit city where I met so many people from other places that when my time was up, I wanted to see those friends so I took myself to Europe and traveled a bit to Barcelona, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Berlin and around. By the end of that summer, I wanted to stay in Europe but somewhere where I spoke the language and that's why I ended up in Poland. Both of my parents immigrated to the US and I grew up speaking Polish - I had this desire to live in the country where my parents grew up and understand their story and my heritage. I lived in Gdansk for about a year, going to school and taking on freelance projects like the one that took me to Paris, where I met you, Nathalie! After almost a year, I felt like I needed to progress in my career and with some influence from a new love, I moved to LA. I worked in wholesale and even got into styling! I really liked it there but never was enamored by the city so when my boyfriend at the time said he wanted to move back to Mexico City, I was all in for it.

I had visited Mexico several times before this big move and through a very special friend of mine, Marina, I met a lot of people from here throughout my 20s. So when I finally moved, it all felt very, very easy and harmonious to settle in. And now, I am coming up on 3 years of living here and can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be. Since leaving Chicago, Mexico City is the city I have lived in the longest and where I feel the strongest ties to.

O: I think we have in common the fact that we’ve moved around cities looking for new opportunities. What would you share, you’ve learnt about this?

C: Say yes to those opportunities that might give you a little bit of fear or doubt in your respective career. There were so many times when I felt uncomfortable going to a new place or taking on a new job but always at the end of the day, there's a takeaway. May it be a new friend, a new place discovered or something about your capabilities and what you need to work on. With all the random jobs I have taken, I can confidently say I know what I DON'T want to do! Sounds silly but it's brought me closer to doing what I want to do. People just need to get out of their comfort zones!

O: I know you’ve mentioned feeling like Mexico is home. How so? It’s such a different culture to where you grew up.

C: Oddly, my Polish culture shares many similarities to Mexican culture. It is hard to describe but there's something familiar and I also think being surrounded by my closest friends and their families' being so inclusive has made this place feel so much more like home than NYC or LA. NYC and LA can sometimes have a little bit of a pretentious attitude, it's hard to find genuine people (not always). In the end, my community here loves to have a good time and are there for you. That's what I want home to feel like.

O: I have been a huge fan of Zii Ropa since I got introduced to it by you! what would you like to share about the brand so more people know?

C: I am so proud to be a part of this project and seeing it grow the way it has. Observing fashion in Mexico, it sometimes lacks simplicity and functionality in its design and ZR is just that. Our founder and designer, Bridget, has such a solid vision and isn't influenced by the fleeting trends and has created a space that works for her and the rest of the team. And I think opening the store was very important for us so that our customers can see a physical location that encapsulates ZR's ethos and identity. Doing that during a pandemic year was nerve wracking but it has been successful so, it feels like anything is possible! We have many plans in the pipeline and will stay true to our core and grow organically.

O: Where do you think the world is heading to with fashion and the retail world?What do you think is important to know about brands when buying from them - specially if they are emerging brands?

C: I try to buy from brands that are authentic, maintain integrity, and have fun. I dont think fashion needs to be politicized and instead it should be a space to explore yourself and have fun. The world is so crazy as it is, so to me, I want to shop with brands that give me a little bit of escapism. But above all, knowing what you are wearing, how it was made is always important. At the end of the day, fashion is a huge polluter and we need to be more conscious of what we are wearing, who made it, who benefits from it etc., hence, I think second hand/vintage is huge right now! We have enough "stuff" in the world to keep going round and round!

O: What are your three favorite brands

C:

1. ZII ROPA

2. Chloe

3. my mom's closet ;)

O: What is your favorite thing to do?

C: Having a moment to soak up some Vitamin D

O: What is your favorite restaurant? (it can be anywhere!)

C: I'm not a big foodie but I love to go to restaurants for a good time with good friends and obviously good food. So I will have to say a place I frequent because their pastries, sandwiches and fresh sourdough are deli! SAINT in Condesa

O: What is your favorite city in the world?

C: Mexico city <3