Conversations with Lalia Susini

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lalia Susini

Hi Lalia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story begins October 22, 2020. I was an 11-year-old having fun at home during COVID, I would wake up early in the morning to go surfing with my brothers and then head to set to tape ABC’s Station 19 and would end my day at soccer practice. It was the ideal life. But everything changed in an instant when a swing set accident at my home left me fighting for my life and partially paralyzed. I could make this the main part of my life’s story, but I chose not to fixate on my accident. I prefer to look towards my future and how I can make other kids my age have the same experience I had at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). I am now teenager, who still has my whole life in front of me! I learned to play one armed basketball and now play for both my high school team and for Sports Academy. None of this would be possible without CHLA, so my brother Maxou and I’s clothing line, LATE Clothing LA donates a portion of the proceeds to the hospital to help kids who will follow in my footsteps. Our clothing line has such a great California vibe. Our sweats and tees represent the LA laid back style, all while giving back to the community and creating a lifestyle that honors second chances and inclusion.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been many obstacles along the way, but that is makes successes that much better. LATE Clothing was a passion project that grew faster than we expected, so we had to learn how to turn orders, arrange fashion shoots and everything around in a much quicker timeframe than we ever expected. We had to take this on while going to school, working, plus basketball practice for myself and football practice for my brother.

In sports, finding my way as a one-handed basketball player has definitely had its obstacles, but you just push through until you find that coach that believes in you. Someone who sees your differences as a gift. It’s those coaches you will remember the rest of your life, the ones who never let you lose sight of your goal. My comeback started with Coach Colon at Pan Pacific Park, just after I was released from the hospital. He never let me quit and pushed me to become the basketball player I am today.

In the entertainment industry, I was lucky to have an amazing agency (LA Models/LA Talent) that saw my accident as a way to highlight people of all physical abilities. Even on Station 19 the cast and crew held my hand through my comeback.

My success has been from finding creative ways to use my obstacles to my benefit.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I thought set me apart from others prior to my accident versus today is so completely different now. Before I thought I was living the dream, but now I hope to inspire people for them to live their dream. I love when I see people wearing our clothing line and actually knowing what it stands for and who it benefits. Not only does it raise money for CHLA, but it raises awareness for inclusion. Everyone is different and you should embrace it. Our most recent line is called the 22 Collection, after the date of my accident. My brother, Maxou wears 22 on his football jersey at IMG, as a way to remember to always get back up and fight. One day or one instance can’t change your life forever. My willpower took flight on that day.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Most of my inspiration comes from people I have met during my recovery. People that have inspired me! I met an incredible artist, Art Mobb at CHLA and he and his wife really inspired me to start giving back to the community. We even collaborated on a sweatshirt together and gave all the proceeds to CHLA. Paralympian Ezra French and his family pushed me to get back into sports. Jamie Lee Curtis also inspired me; she is such a force and has such a passion for inclusion. We have also collaborated on clothing through Jamie’s charity, My Hand In Yours, which gives back 100% of proceeds to CHLA.

Pricing:

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Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.LATEclothingLA.com
• Instagram: @late.clothingla