Ciao Lucia, the Californian firm with which you can travel without leaving home

Californian brand interview introduces the resortwear, comfortable and easy garments, inspired by the Nouvelle Vague and in the 60s and 90s.Designs that the same fit into a paradisiacal beach that in the heat of an office or in the heat of the home, and that return to the fashion industry as a fabulous platform for evasion

By Sara Hernando

After a year without traveling, or doing it the minimum and indispensable, there is no soul that is not visualized in any Caribbean beach, cocktail in hand, and pareo adjusted to the waist.And no, I'm afraid that circumstances have not varied much, but it is time to take off our tracksuit.This can help Ciao Lucia, a Californian firm founded by Lucy Akin in 2017.Akin, for several years owner of one of the most celebrated clothing stores in Los Angeles, Shop Super Street, decided to explore another facet in addition to the businesswoman, designer."I had a heart and realized that I was on the wrong side of the industry".

After designing a small collection, which put on sale in its boutique, running out in a few days, decided to launch its own brand, Ciao Lucia, inspired not only on the European coasts of southern France and Italy, but also in the cinema ofThe Nouvelle Vague and in the decades of the sixties and ninety.“I love the colors of the films, the protagonists and the graphic design.Pierrot the madman fascinated me for years.I am also inspired by books as soft is the night of F.Scott Fitzgerald.There is a romanticism in southern Europe that has always attracted me, ”says Akin.

His designs, with simple cuts and comfortable fabrics, make up the closet (rather) perfect for a perfect holiday.But, in addition, they meet all the requirements that are expected of a garment in 2021: social and environmental commitment.“We manufacture all our pieces in Los Angeles, with the exception of our knitting fabric, which is done ethically responsible in Peru.It is important for me to support local production.Deeply respect the people we work with and it is important that each part of our production process be paid fairly ”, is sincere.We talked with the creator about her firm, her immediate concerns, and the need for evasion.

When did you decide to launch Ciao Lucia?

It was 2017.At that time I had a boutique in Los Angeles called Shop Super Street.I had a heart and realized that I was on the wrong side of the industry.I needed to design!So a weekend, that she was cold in bed, while she saw great hopes I slept six looks.I placed the samples in my store and, taking into account that they had no labels, or any brand, nothing at all, they were sold immediately.Then I made a few more designs and included them on our website.A friend of mine who worked in Vogue here, in the United States, called me asking about the brand, who wanted to make an article.I told him to give me several months to build a complete idea and throw it in tandem next to the story.From there, I turned to Acapulco with our model and photographer, and launched the web.It was very exciting and I felt it as if I was working on something very big.

What news does it contribute to a very saturated market?

After having Shop Super Street, which is now closed to focus one hundred percent in Ciao Lucia, I learned a lot about what women wanted to wear.There are so many psychological aspects behind the fact of going shopping: what feels good about us, the colors of which we move away, etc..In Shop Super Street perceived that something was missing in the market that would focus completely on how women would feel with your clothes.I don't have the perfect body and I wanted garments that made me look good and sure of myself.All our dresses have some type of adjustable element so that you can really adapt the pieces to your body and accentuate the areas that favor you most.

How would you define the aesthetics of Ciao Lucia?

Responds to the independence and force of women who like to feel sexis.Look good for themselves.The brand feels great nostalgia of the old French cinema of the Nouvelle vague.I have always admired the strong leadership of the characters from the past.And the aesthetics of the sixties, which, without pretending, is very polished.

What do you think is what attracts women to your brand?

I think they like my signature because the firm does not take you, but it provides a service to the person who uses it.Do not conceal your personality.There is some joy that manifests in clothes.The pieces are very simple and classic, but they are still flattering and current.

Why do you include vintage references in your designs?

Throughout my life I have been inspired by the 60s and 90s.Ciao Lucia is a combination of both.The Nouvelle Vague of French cinema was a great inspiration for me because I love the colors of the films, the protagonists and graphic design.Pierrot the madman fascinated me for years.I was also inspired by books as soft is the night of F.Scott Fitzgerald.There is a romanticism in southern Europe that has always attracted me.I try to channel that every season in clothes.

Where do you find inspiration?

It usually comes from cinema, either old or current.Films like the graduate, the devil's seed, a woman is a woman and the godfather have been a great inspiration for me.Call me by your name and once in Hollywood are recent titles that have inspired me.But yes, they have to be loaded with vintage nostalgia.

Do you have (and use) garments of other brands?

My personal style is very ninety, but also elegant.I wear a lot of silk dresses from my own brand with our superimposed sweaters.In California, layers are always needed so I usually wear a jacket everywhere, but I also wear a lot of mini dresses.Most of the time I buy vintage clothes.I do buy garments from other brands, especially Prada and Calvin Klein, and even JA's 1990s.Crew.

How important are materials for you?

They are very important to me.I try to choose fabrics that travel well.Soft cotton cotton to be on the beach and then, when you take them home, smell like sunscreen and tan lotion.Fine silk with which you can go to dinner and then put it in the suitcase.The materials are essential when feeling the clothes, how it makes you feel when you put it on, so I do everything possible to be careful with those we use and also with how they affect the planet.

Is there a place for sustainability and labor ethics in your signature?

All brands have the responsibility of doing everything possible to be ethical and conscious in 2021.I think that growing slowly, as is our case, is responsible.It is a fabulous way to avoid overproduction.We manufacture all our pieces in Los Angeles, with the exception of our knitted fabric, which is done ethically responsible in Peru.It is important for me to support local production.Deeply respect the people we work with and it is important that each part of our production process is paid fairly.We have incorporated the use of more sustainable fabrics.My next project will address our use of plastic: I have been accumulating all the wasted plastic to use it in a special project that will be launched this year.

Do you think the crisis we are living will bring any change in the fashion industry?

A lot was discussed at the beginning of pandemic over the great changes in the fashion calendar.I think all brands woke up and now they want to do what is better for them.Whether doing two or six seasons a year, the signatures are changing their way of working.I think we had so much saturation in the market that now everyone is going back and changing strategy.But I'm afraid that only time has the key to what is going to happen.

How has the Covid-19 crisis changed the plans with your brand?

It was quite scared when the Covid arrived.I just just closed Shop Super Street to focus on Ciao Lucia and I felt a little defeated when all this began.I was very afraid that Ciao Lucia would not move forward.Fortunately, our business grew very healthy last spring, and this has remained strongly.We have definitely encountered problems due to COVID, such as production delays, but the fact that it could grow has been very positive.It was important for me to continue supporting my employees during these convulsive times.

Your brand follows the aesthetics of girls who seem to be in eternal vacations.Almost no one has been able to go on vacation this year, has it been difficult to cope with it?

This winter was hard since nobody was traveling, but people still want to believe in holiday nostalgia.Our images transport me to other places, and I think our clients want to buy that as a way of living indirectly.

When is the firm?

We are going through the phase of adolescence.It was a baby a couple of years ago, but now we have grown a little and we are learning.The foundations are already placed and now the time has come to build.

What are your plans for the future?

I am committed to making several collaborations.I would love to make a tennis clothing, household items or sunglasses.Different lines that fit with our brand philosophy and show who is the ciao girl.

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