Life & Work with Alece Plasencia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alece Plasencia.

Hi Alece, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Bio: Alece Plasencia, CEO/Artist/Producer: 

My name is Alece Plasencia, CEO/Fashion Designer/Artist for BLAXICANA COUTURE and CEO/Producer for BLAXICANA FEST LLC. 

Both of my brands are inspired by music, fashion, and art, with the goal of promoting diversity, creativity, and entrepreneurship via wearable art pieces and events. 

The concept and passion all began at a young age. My earliest memories were of my parents having parties in our home in the basement, where everyone was welcomed, and also watching my mom sew on her old school sewing machine. Growing up in San Francisco during a politically charged time of the feminist, civil rights, and gay rights movements gave my parents the opportunity to instill in me the fact that the world is a diverse place with people of various cultures and backgrounds and it’s a beautiful thing that should be embraced. These lessons of inclusivity and diversity have been woven, literally, into the fabric of my one-of-a-kind/custom denim pieces and into the overall event, Blaxicana Fest. 

Blaxicana Fest LLC is an upscale fashion and music festival that promotes diversity, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Blaxicana Fest was born out of the need to promote the custom denim designs of Blaxicana Couture. Blaxicana Fest provides a platform to not only showcase my designs but also to highlight up-and-coming music artists, models, DJs, visual artists, and local brands. 

My first event was held on June 22, 2019, in DTLA, with a total of 28 people in attendance: 5 models, 1 performer, a DJ, a bartender, and guests. The event, although small, was a success and included a fashion show and a performance which set the tone of the values of the overall brand. 

At this first event, I was proud to have achieved my brand mission and goal which was to bring diverse people together in love and peace and celebrate our cultures in a safe, upscale, creative space. 

Since then, my denim jackets are now being featured in the Imago Galleries in Palm Desert, and I have expanded Blaxicana Fest to a national level. 

In September of 2022, the event took place during New York Fashion Week at Soho House New York and, most recently, in October of 2023, during LA Fashion Week with about 1000 people in attendance at Pershing Square in DTLA, which was sponsored by the City of Los Angeles. 

My next event will be returning to my roots of creating a small, upscale event to launch both festival season and my Spring 2024 collection on April 6, 2024. We are currently offering opportunities for sponsors, models, and artists to perform. 

My goal as the producer of Blaxicana Fest is to continue to host events to bring the community together and, as an artist, to continue to create one-of-a-kind pieces for others to value as wearable, timeless art that reflects their individuality. 

Blaxicana Fest and Blaxicana Couture are more than simply brands, they are a movement that inspire others via music, fashion, and art. 

-Alece Plasencia 

CEO/Fashion Designer/Artist/Producer 

www.blaxicanacouture.com 

www.blaxicanafest.com 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The struggle is the same as many BIPOC brands: Capital, AKA, money. Instead of letting this discourage me, I see it as a challenge to be creative, and I welcome it. I have worked extra hours, collaborated with other brands, and used all my free resources, such as social media and my God-given talent of being a great communicator to promote both of my brands. I’m honestly proud of my success and I tell others to tap into their very own “superpower”, as we all have a special gift. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
For Blaxicana Couture, I design custom demin jackets that are one of a kind for clients. My jackets are known for their lining inside of a silky Chinese brocade fabric and appliques. I’m very proud to have worked with various music artists who have worn my jackets in music videos, performances, and album covers. 

For Blaxicana Fest, I have created a “vibe”, as they say, of an event that brings together diverse creatives in an upscale space to highlight their talent, while networking, shopping for Blaxicana Couture, and enjoying an incredible fashion and music experience. I’m extremely proud of the fact that I started with a budget of “$0” and with the collaboration and partnership of others, I continue to grow. Also, the connections that others have made as a result of my events have been extremely amazing. I’m looking forward to April 6th to launch off festival season and to continue this “vibe” into 2024 and beyond. 

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
My life is pretty much an open book, but some who know me now may be surprised to know that I’m a retired educator. I was a college counselor for 32 years, and I helped thousands of young people get into the college/career of their dreams. I’m happy to have retired and now I’m applying my counseling skills to my own life as well as to be able to continue to help young people with theirs. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blaxicanafest.com
• Instagram: @blaxicanafest
• Facebook: Blaxicana Fest LLC
• Linkedin: Blaxicana Fest LLC
• Youtube: @blaxicanafest

Image Credits
Kirk McClain Skiip
Lou Photograpy