Today we’d like to introduce you to Blondina Neves.
Hi Blondina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Cape Verde (west coast of Africa), where I was raised until age 16. Since I was 8 years old, I told everyone that I was a Fashion Designer. I taught myself how to sew on my mom’s sewing machine and started making and changing all my clothes and modifying my shoes by hand. I loved drawing so I started to explore my gifts artistically by drawing portraits of people on t-shirts with colorful paintings (I gifted them for people’s bdays). I sketched different looks and taped them all over a shared room wall (I have 3 sisters, and we had 1 room, but they didn’t mind).
Fast forward to 16, I came to the USA and had to find my space in fashion (due to major culture shock, I tried everything until I found my style), but what I wanted the most was to learn English “fast” so that I could graduate high school out of ESL classes. I attended high school for 2 years and graduated with honors and out of ESL. I sought and applied to fashion schools by myself, and I ended up in a fashion school in NY Manhattan. I always stood out as a student. I was in the dean’s list quarterly, and my designs/school projects were selected to be on school display every quarter (a big deal for the school)
This is when I started to really believe in myself because until then, I was just doing my best at what I love and never stopped to self-applaud/recognize. I had several internships where I met big names in fashion industry. Won tickets to The New York Fashion Week (on Bryant park) because of my work ethics and creativity. I ended working as an assistant designer for a wholesale company and quit after 2 1/2 years because I felt really limited in my career. I moved back to Pawtucket, RI, and started making prom dresses, promoting myself with flyers in every store in town. I paused for 10 years and came back stronger, creative, and expanded like I’ve never left. Today, I allow myself to navigate through art in different forms. Whether it’s designing, body painting, styling /creative directing /producing for music videos and photography (bdays, maternity, ”self-love shoots,” or Visual arts, I feel like today I allow myself to be more than a title of designer; I created as a kid. I am an all-around Artist.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My biggest struggles were not having moral support from the ones closer, but it became my biggest blessing because it made me become my number 1 fan, supporter, and cheerleader. It made me work hard for what I want. Also, coming from a family of immigrants where financial struggles were real and a fashion career was a luxury, not a “real” career, especially in the small town of Pawtucket. I was told about 100 times to just become a CNA or a hairdresser.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a visual Artist all around. I design custom looks; I create them (handmade). I am an iconic fashion stylist in my town. I do bodyart (I freestyle I never know what I will design) I create concepts for photography (self-love, maternity, bdays, etc…) I use other techniques for bodyart line foil. I’m involved in many aspects of music videos, writing scripts, creating/styling custom looks, creative directing (organizing/selecting models), and set designing.
I’m most proud of my journey. After I took a break when I had my son, I lost confidence, and the journey to coming back was beautiful.
I’m known for being very different for being very cultured and eclectic. I’m known for loving cowrie shells and using them on my art. I’m known as a soulful designer!
What sets me apart is that I create with my Heart and hands
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Believe in yourself no matter who doesn’t. Clap for yourself. Don’t wait for them.
They will all eventually catch up to your greatness!
Know your worth and what you want very clear in your mind. Work hard for it
Pricing:
- Body paint starting at $1000
- Custom designs starting at $600
- Creative directing starting at $500
- Fashion Styling starting at $250
Contact Info:
Image Credits
@Pacheco_portraits
@Yelfotografi
@ceejaysena
@rui_photography_05
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