Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Vazquez.
Hi Alexis, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Hello, my name is Alexis Vazquez, and I am a Fashion Designer based in Los Angeles, California.
I am a Fashion designer, Illustrator, Published Song Writer, Dj, Painter, Business Owner, and Entrepreneur
and this is my story.
I was born and raised in El Centro, California, migrated to Palm Springs, and currently reside in Sunny Los Angeles.
So, it’s safe to say I am a wholehearted Cali Girl.
Growing up, I was introduced to Design through my parents.
My mother studied Interior Design in San Diego a later became a real estate agent who would stage and sell her own listings.
She always kept an extravagantly decorated home, so whether it was the newly upholstered sofa or the Architectural Digest magazines on the coffee table,
I was bound to grow interest and appreciation for tastemakers and their process.
As for my father, He was born and raised in Cuba, who then later came to the states for a better life.
While he grew admiration for the end-less possibilities his new life had to offer him,
He developed an entrepreneur spirit and became a jeweler who would then design and sell custom pieces
to his private clientele in Los Angeles.
Whether it was learning the different cuts of a diamond or spotting out fake timepieces, my father taught me
everything he knew about the business as well as the creative process.
His ambition and optimism was contagious so the more I went to work with him, the more I grew to love the city and all of its opportunities!
In 2014, I moved to L.A. and knew no one but my father.
Luckily for the internet, I eventually met some cool people who shared the same ambition and creative interests.
At the time, all of my friends were aspiring Models, Actresses, or Music artists who were then signed to an agency or label.
My friends would always like my creative input, styling, or curation of some sort, so I’ve had the pleasure of writing a few songs, staring in a few music videos with guest stars such as Tommy Lee, styling some photoshoots and even designing Lyric videos for music artists.
As Months went by, I met a friend who was an aspiring music artist.
We had many similar interests, but mostly She respected that I treated her based off of her own identity and not the status of who her familiar family was.
So eventually, we hit it off really well, which landed me my first job working for her at Nick Cannons Label in L.A
From her personal assistant to her personal shopper, I was slowly moving up the more we became knowledgeable about what I had to offer and what I was capable of.
Within a year of learning my potential, I became her D.J. and we toured the world together for 2 years.
To traveling to a new city every night to performing at every House Of Blues,
You could say the experience was definitely one for the books!
And although I appreciated the time, the experience, and the fan base I had grew, I knew I had to eventually focus on myself and figure out what I truly wanted most in life.
After leaving tour in 2016, I met a very special person whose creativity inspired me on a whole other level.
His ambition, consistency, and admiration for his music inspired me to find what I loved to do most, just how he loved to make his music.
Every time I was around him, it brought out a more liberated side of me that eventually inspired me to pick up a paintbrush.
With this person’s massive amount of talent an knowledge in the music industry, it was no surprise to me that he shortly ended up signing to
Interscope Records and Universal Music Group.
In 2017, During the time he was working on his first album, I would paint whatever came to my mind.
I would paint whatever I felt through the speakers and whatever I heard.
Being around music flowed through me, and there was no telling what I would paint the moment that brush hit a canvas every time
I was finished with a piece; I would immediately post my work on my social media platforms.
Catching the eyes of many influencers and other music artists that I had connected with over the months.
By the time the album released, I was growing my following rapidly, and I knew I had to take advantage of the countless requests
of custom paintings people wanted for their own studios, homes, and glam rooms.
One night, my boyfriend and I were getting ready for an event.
Before we headed out the door, I felt the need to put a finishing touch on a painting.
It wasn’t till I started getting many compliments on my Leather jacket till I then realized I had paint smeared on a side sleeve.
The moment I noticed it, I immediately thought.
What if I put my paintings on my clothes?
As soon as I got home, I painted on every single thing we owned.
From hats, purses, heels to jackets, pants, and dresses.
Every time I had painted on a piece, I would immediately take a photo of it for social media and wear it to an event.
Not only did I feel like I found my niche, I also felt I had found my own personal style.
With all the compliments and many requests I was receiving, I knew I was on to something special for myself.
Painting on my clothes was the gateway to me start making custom clothing an start experimenting with embellishments of pearls and crystals.
As time went on, I was fortunate to make custom jackets for some celebrities, influencers, and music artists, but after studying major companies such as Gucci,
I knew If I wanted longevity and to reach another level of this business; a knew I couldn’t do it without the proper team a tools.
So, in 2021, I took a leap of faith and entered SHEIN’S SHEIN X program, where I submitted my portfolio of my custom work throughout the years after just a few short days, I was accepted into their program and was introduced to the world of Fast Fashion.
In September of 2021, I released my first 5-piece collection with SHEIN.
Gratitude filled my heart when I started to see my pieces trending on their site and sell out.
When I started to see the impact my clothing was having on the buyers, I realized my purpose through art was to promote liberation, confidence and to provoke positive emotions and thoughts to whomever was wearing my pieces and anyone seeing them be worn.
So, I was very excited when I was asked to create a second collection.
In July of 2022, I created a 9-piece collection with SHEIN that sold out almost instantly.
As I grow with my SHEIN family and continue to work on collections in the future, I am excited to announce that I will be starting my own brand and releasing this summer.
PHAIRENHEIT
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a dream chaser isn’t a smooth road. Accomplishing Anything great in life isn’t a smooth ride.
Some of the struggles I faced were staying consistent & optimistic during major Life changes while still needing to maintain a professional demeanor.
Another struggle I faced was/is dealing with people who wait for progress to happen in order to support me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Multi-Hyphenate Creator who specializes in clothing design and illustration.
I am known for my creative abstract artwork that I place on formal clothing.
Alongside with bold, beautiful messages such as
“I AM ART, “
“LOVED”
“HAPPY TO BE HERE”
“TRUST THE PROCESS “
“SELF LOVE”
I am most proud of my collections with Shein and reaching #1 top-selling blazer on their site.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.phairenheit.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/alexisvazquez
Image Credits
SHEIN
