Today we’d like to introduce you to Axlroy Enguancho.
Axlroy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My interest in fashion and clothing started at a very young age. I cared about what I wore to school every day and always wore things a normal person wouldn’t. I guess you could say I always stood out with what I wore. That’s what I was known for growing up. I always searched up fashion blogs on Tumblr and read about fashion weeks all throughout high school. Around 2013 after high school, I started a fashion blog on Instagram, where I posted outfits and clothing pickups and gained a small following there. I’ve always had dreams of starting a clothing brand but never took it seriously until college. I decided to join the fashion program at San Diego Mesa College and there my knowledge and passion grew even more for fashion. I knew then I had to start a clothing brand. So I started Animi. Animi is a Latin word and it means heart, soul as a noun and to animate as a verb. In a sense, I wanted to animate my ideas, thoughts, and feelings and bring it to life and I’m able to do that through designing and creating clothes. I knew when I wanted to make clothing. They needed to have meaning and substance. Something a lot of clothing brands don’t have these days. I’ve released shirts here and there but soon I’d like to create a full ready-to-wear collection and bring something new to San Diego, something different.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would say it hasn’t been a smooth road. It’s been hard trying to balance a clothing brand, school, and a full-time job. I haven’t been releasing clothing consistently cause of that. I’m learning as I go through the process. I also think it’s been hard getting my brand out there being from San Diego because this city isn’t known for fashion like Los Angeles or New York for example. Instagram has helped a lot though since I do my fashion blogging. Many of my followers have been supporting me on there and have bought my products. It’s still crazy to me how people from different parts of the world have something I’ve created. Shouts out to y’all!
Please tell us about Animi.
Animi is a design venture to showcase ready-to-wear collections. Animi focuses on a minimalistic style mixed with streetwear sensibilities, using fine fabrics and focus on fit. This brand celebrates the youth and elegance through clothing. I am the creative director/designer for the brand. The thing I’m most proud of is that I get to create and connect with people outside of San Diego through clothing/fashion. It’s been a humbling experience and I plan to keep pushing. I think what sets my brand apart from others is that I create with purpose and meaning. Every piece I create has a message that may connect with people. I think what also sets my brand apart is that I like designing in ways people may not think of. I like each piece I create to be unique and have it stand out, something that makes people double-take.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I think I would have definitely would have planned ahead better. Starting this brand, I kind of jumped into it too fast with little preparation and research. I’m still learning as I go but that’s the one thing I wish I had done from the start.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animidesigns/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/animidesigns
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/axl.enguancho/
Image Credit:
@alyaklmphoto – Kayla Martinez
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