Quick Question
How the Latinx handbag company remains community-oriented.
The two of us talked culture and discussed how heritage informs our relationships with fashion.
Ahead, McKenzie chats with Bustle aboutdopamine dressingand what the Latinx community means to her.
How do you incorporate your heritage into your designs?
It’s in everything we do.
It’s in every piece of inspiration.
It’s in the colors that we incorporate.
If you look at our brand, it’s colorful, it’s happy.
It represents what we grew up seeing: color and livelihood, joy and happiness.
It’s in our identity.
Dopamine dressing has been trending in recent months.
Do you think Mon & Mon fills that need?
A lot of our bags have the opportunity for you to add a charm.
It’s about how it connects to you and your life.
What is the story behind the signature eye design?
The eyes are the soul.
What about the octopus logo?
Can you tell me the story behind how that came to be and what it represents to the brand?
The idea of the octopus was many reasons partly because it symbolizes friendship, it symbolizes togetherness, connectedness.
If you see our octopuses, they’re not the same they’re not symmetrical.
The octopus is a reminder to live in connection with others.
We knew early on that we wanted to make our bags in Colombia.
We really prize community, we prize connectedness.
When I think about the people that are buying our product, there is already a connection.
How can we connect makers to the buyer?
How can you not be so far removed from the people that are making the things you are wearing?
We celebrate those that have sewn the bag, that have printed the bag.
What has been the experience of being a Latinx designer in the fashion industry?
That’s the first thing we tell people when they walk in, where our bags were made.
What would you say has been the most rewarding part of starting your own business?
As rewarding as it is, it’s also hard work.
But being committed to that has anchored us.
So that’s rewarding to find success in the hard choices.
What advice do you have for aspiring designers looking to start their own business particularly, Latinx designers?
But also, success will look differently at many stages along the way.
Celebrate the small victories.
Let them fuel your path.
This article was originally published onOct.
