Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Hurtado.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I come from a family of immigrants whose main priority in life was to provide their children with a world of opportunities. My parents taught me to go to college and get a good career so I could grow to live a happy, comfortable life. Growing up, my father always worked in construction, so naturally, I decided to choose a career in architectural engineering and study at the University of California Merced.
After two years of college and the brink of the pandemic, which caused school to transition online, I decided to take a break for two reasons. The transition to school online really affected me and my ability to learn since I’ve always been a hands-on learner, but more importantly, I realized I was fulfilling a dream that wasn’t mine. I enrolled in college because that’s what I was taught to do, but I realized I wasn’t doing it for me; instead, I was fulfilling a dream of my parents. I felt lost, not knowing my true purpose. I knew I was meant for so much more.
During my break, I focused on becoming my most creative self. Among all my hobbies – dance, photography, art, and instruments – fashion was the one I had a burning passion for. My mom gifted me her old sewing machine, the same one she used to hem my clothes with, and I quickly learned the many similarities between architectural design and pattern making. The math was mathing, and I took that sewing machine and ran with it all the way back to LA. My skills had grown to the point where people wanted to buy my clothes. I stayed consistent, worked hard to develop my brand, and now, almost 4 years after picking up that sewing machine, I’m working with consistent clients, styling music videos, collaborating with brands and creatives. I have invested in industrial sewing machines, and I even got to attend my first LA Fashion Week.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Because my family comes from very traditional ideologies, leaving school was something they took very hard, especially after coming out and hearing about my dreams and aspirations in fashion. For some time, there was no relationship with my family, making living in Los Angeles much harder. With no financial support other than myself, I found myself working long hours at my “9-5” job to support my creative lifestyle, which left me with no time or energy to be creative.
My relationship with my parents has greatly improved over the past few years because they now understand the passion, I have for what I do. I have learned that there will never be a better time to show the world my talents. If I had kept waiting until I had “enough” money, the right equipment, or until my craft was “perfect,” I would never have gotten to where I am now.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a fashion designer who specializes in custom cunt couture. From swimwear to avant-garde to even furniture, I am a well-rounded designer who, more than anything, loves to see someone embody the essence of my brand when they slip into something of mine. Being a bad bitch has nothing to do with what’s on the outside; on the contrary, it has everything to do with your mindset. When somebody wears custom Bry Hurtado, they embody that bad bitch energy that resides within them. It’s custom-made for a bad bitch, created by a bad bitch. Building a truly inclusive brand is something I take pride in; my brand is for every and anybody!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I’ve always been a creative at heart. Although I was always involved in sports, my flamboyant self found ways to express myself creatively, like drawing and painting. Later in life, I learned to play instruments. The guitar, violin, and piano were my favorites. I was so happy to express myself more through music because it led me to discover the power of dance. Dancing is still something I do every day. It helped me break out of my shell since, as a kid, I was very shy. In dance, you have to be willing to make yourself uncomfortable in order to grow as a dancer. In high school, I was introduced to acting and joined theater, where I finally felt like I had a place where I belonged. Looking back, that place was so small compared to how big I’ve spread my wings today. But one thing that has never changed as I have grown up is that I have always been dreaming big and envisioning a life of success just for being me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryyhurtado?igsh=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/houseofbry?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Image Credits
Malack Alu
