Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmen Muñoz.
Hi Carmen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My business blossomed out of a hobby since I was a teen. I loved creating clothing from any type of material. From creating distressed tees to making skirts from different materials.
In early 2021, I was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) which is a form of blood cancer. It made it really difficult for me to continue to have a full-time office job and go to medical appointments to combat this disease. I made the difficult decision of leaving my corporate job and focus on my recovery.
During that time, I needed a way to regain a piece of myself that I lost to APL, I went through therapy during my treatment to help me get through depression, anxiety, and personal growth. My partner Robin and our family helped by getting back into crafting when I was home to fill my time, which brought me a lot of joy and fun family time that I really needed. They have been my inspiration and motivation to continue to fight this disease and eventually go into remission by the end of 2021.
Growing up as a Latina in Wilmington, a small town near the Los Angeles Harbor, there was not much representation in my community for the arts, music or fashion in the late 90’s early 2000’s. I always kept myself buried in academics, extracurriculars, and hobbies to steer clear out of trouble in the community. I loved creating clothing out of any material I could. From crocheting tops and sowing old fabrics into skirts to creating custom jeans for family members, friends and I to wear. Fantasizing that my designs might one day be available at the Del Amo Fashion Center. I went to college in the Inland Empire to study engineering and business because that is what would pay the bills, but my first love has always been music and fashion.
With a firm background in E-commerce and Logistics. In 2022, I decided to launch my clothing brand, Delectable Nightmares. I got all my permits and business licensing online while I focused on creating logos, creating my website, setting up E-commerce accounts, and sourcing materials to create products. I started out with creating graphic t-shirts and then moved on to dresses, skirts, and accessories.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a roller coaster ride. One of the biggest challenges for me has been prioritizing my physical, mental and emotional health while tackling every project I set out to accomplish. My journey through APL has taught me a lot about self-care, your overall health, and how that can really impact your day-to-day, but once I did start to prioritizing myself and making sure I was 100%, everything else started to fall into place.
As you know, we’re big fans of Delectable Nightmares. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Delectable Nightmares is an alternative fashion brand that provides styles in all different types of fits and sizes for everyone. It was inspired by my hobby for designing clothes growing up. Each design and item is created and hand-crafted by hand. I source most of my materials with brands like Bella + Canvas that use fabric dyes that are environmentally friendly and recycle most of their water and fabric waste. I currently work out of the Antelope Valley in Los Angeles County.
I focused on community events in Los Angeles County, The LA Harbor, The Valley, OC and Hollywood areas to help bring brand awareness and connect with my customer base to show them I am the person behind the brand. In doing so, I have made so many connections and expanded to do wholesale online and consignments with local shops in Los Angeles County, including having my products available for purchase at Local Source at the Del Amo Fashion Center.
In 2022-2023, I have donated to many organizations in those communities as well to help feed and provide clothing to those in need and provide further research and resources for finding cures for blood cancer. One of the biggest organizations that I have donated to is Grace Resources in the Antelope Valley, who does tremendous work in that community. Another organization I donate to is LLS; they just recently received FDA approval for new treatments for different strains of Leukemia, which is a huge win for those who are fighting!
For more event updates or new collection releases for my clothing brand, please follow us on social media @delectablenightmares or visit us in person or online at delectablenightmares.com.
How do you define success?
Success for me is not measured by achieving a certain monetary value. For me, it’s being able to give back to the surrounding communities in Los Angeles County and make an impact. I don’t need a plaque on a building or any kind of recognition. I give because I know what it’s like to go without and being grateful for those that have helped me along the way. I feel that I have to pay it forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.delectablenightmares.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delectablenightmares/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DelectableNightmares
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@delectablenightmares/featured
- Other: https://linkpop.com/delectablenightmares
