Today we’d like to introduce you to Marc Pinedo.
Hi Marc, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
To say my barrier to entry was difficult is an understatement. I have always been interested in fashion since a kid. Sketching out red carpet looks for celebrities both male and female alike, bleaching, distressing, and painting on my clothes was a big part of my teenage years. After attending the University of California, Santa Barbara, I wanted to give the city life a chance. For a year, I was commuting from Downtown to Venice in hopes to pursue a career in tech. However, I always felt like a piece of me was missing — something just didn’t feel right. My inner child yearned for an outlet of expression and I was on a quest to find a solution.
One day, I had an epiphany that changed the trajectory of life. While packing for a trip, I realized that there were a number of garments where the fit was perfect, but the materials were not suited for the environment. The wheels really started to turn, my mind started visually drafting styles with different thread colors, buttons, pocket styles, lining, and more. At this moment, a light bulb went off and my intuition told me, “go”.
Days later, I was scheduling meetings with pattern makers to bring my visions to fruition. Truth be told, there was no strategy behind what I was doing, just following my heart.
Before going further, I must let all the readers know that there was no strategy behind what I was doing, just following my heart. All of the lessons I have learned in fashion have been through hands-on experience, never taking “no” for an answer, always asking questions, and knowing production processes like the back of my hand.
With my pattern in hand, there was a woman down the hall from my pattern maker who was always shipping out volumes of garments. With a nothing to lose mindset, I sparked up a conversation with her and come to find out — we went to the same college. Till this day, I have an immense amount of gratitude for us crossing paths, she showed me business models, profit margins and introduced me to some local vendors to source fabric.
While solidifying the sourcing details, the producing part was missing. I went to every fashion building possible, going door to door with patterns in hand, begging for partnership. After much trial and error with different contractors, I was able to build a capsule collection. My dreams were quickly shattered once I realized how difficult the sales and marketing aspect is of fashion. Mind you, this was my first year out of college and had no understanding of how influencer marketing, visual art, and creative direction work hand in hand. In 2018, I had to make the tough decision to shut down shop and return to tech.
Once the pandemic hit in 2020, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I became friends with influencers and marketing agency owners. After showing them my pieces, they gave me the reassurance needed to start designing again. Unhappy with my job (surprise surprise), I revisited my Rolodex of contractors and went to work. During the two years break, my taste changed to something more luxurious, paying attention to stitching, fabrics, and silhouettes. The majority of contractors that I worked with years prior couldn’t produce at our new standards. Immediately, I knew what needed to be done. However, this time I knew that this was going to be a “make or break”. I took it upon myself to learn the fundamentals of garment construction in Spanish, making it easier for contractors and I to work together. These folks are top-tier contractors that produce in safe working environments, fair wages, and associated with other namesake labels. The team we have developed feels like more than an exchange of services, they are family.
During this year of research and development, I took the time to understand the fashion industry — I couldn’t allow my dream to slip through the cracks again. On March 31, 2021, we went live.
Up until June 2022, I tried to juggle both my full-time job in tech and PINEDO. This year was incredibly tough for me, having to battle an identity tethered to a corporation all the while believing that I’m an artist. Rather than continuing to fight, I financially prepared myself to take a leap of faith. Now, PINEDO is my full-time job. We have a showroom at the Cooper Design Building, working on getting our collections in local LA boutiques, shipping internationally, and incorporated home goods to our brand.
We are so much more than a brand, it’s a lifestyle. The sky is the limit and we’re just getting started.
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?
My journey has been both extremely difficult and rewarding. There is not one day that goes by where I don’t learn something new.
The biggest struggle for any emerging designer is finding reliable resources. More often times than not, transactional services will find you. Meaning the love and care one puts into the visualization of a garment won’t translate physically.
I challenge every designer to never give up and take each experience as a learning lesson. These learnings allow you to be better with your production processes and contractor selection.
The synergy of those who share the same sentiment for their craft is unstoppable and a force to be reckoned with.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My name is Marc Pinedo, the founder of PINEDO, LLC. We are an everyday luxury lifestyle brand that offers a selection of garments, accessories, jewelry, and home goods.
What I am most proud of is that this brand stays true to itself. We craft timeless staples that you can create countless memories in. These garments transcend time and trends, original in nature.
At PINEDO, we focus on the experience for our community. That’s what has people coming back to us… We aren’t selling the “cigarette”, we are selling the “spark”.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to us is enabling and empowering our community. This life is too short to not share love, compassion, and empathy towards others. No matter how successful one is, there is a legacy that we leave behind. Our legacy will be one where others’ were able to see themselves within us, know that they have unlimited potential, and they are not victims of their circumstances but students of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: Pinedo.co
- Instagram: @pinedo.co
Image Credits
Daniel Poplawsky
