Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Blake.
Hi Paige, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to LA about 4/5 years ago from Miami, Florida. When I first moved to LA, I was playing guitar for different bands all the while working at the guitar center. It was a big eye opener to all the different fashions, street styles, and brands that people would wear that I wasn’t used to seeing. I was deep in the music scene and meeting so many different artists that each person had such a unique style to them which I always admired. My music background comes from my dad who was a hippie back in the 70’s who constantly played Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, guns n roses all the while telling me about the good old days and how he traded guitars for let’s say “party favors”. He used to let me wear his vintage leather jacket as a kid, the jacket would almost touch my ankles it was so big but there was something so powerful about wearing it. We would ride around town to frozen yogurt while blasting “wanted dead or alive” and it made me feel like I was in my own rock n roll universe. My mom who is as beautiful as they come still gets weak in the knees when you even mention the name Elvis, I didn’t know at the time but being surrounded by all this amazing music as a kid was molding me into the woman I am today.
It was about two years ago when I was a little lost in the city of angels, didn’t really know where I fit in here but always made sure to look good even if I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, I always had a leather jacket and a cute pair of heels on. It was around this time that I had unexpected lost my father which made my world shatter. I was a walking zombie for about seven months just going through the motions of loss. It happened to be my best friend’s birthday and I wanted to do something really nice for him for keeping my head afloat during this horrible time. He has always admired G-Eazy fashion sense and particularly his leather jacket collection. I hunted for weeks to find him the perfect “worn in” leather jacket and finally struck gold on Melrose. I knew he had always wanted a painted leather jacket so I was searching for an artist and had no such luck when my friend reminded me that I used to paint a couple of years back. I ended up doing a Geazy/slipknot mashup on the back and it was the first time in months my brain had shut off and I could just enjoy the moment. Even though it seemed something so small but creating that piece on that jacket was the first time I had felt like myself again after losing my father. Every time he wore the jacket, he would get stopped and people were amazed by it, I was surprised people liked my work. It took me about a year to get the courage to start making and creating more of these pieces. It all finally clicked for me, I wanted to become a designer.
It’s been about eight months since I’ve been putting out my designs and truly have never been more in love with something. Depending on the client or the piece, I like to get some ideas from them on what the theme is going to be. I’ve done vintage pop art, comic style, movie-themed, album art, abstract, etc. I want my designs to be something that someone keeps with them forever just how I will always keep my father’s leather jacket I used to wear as a kid. I want my designs to be a piece of that person that gets expressed every time they wear it. I plan on expanding my designs to shirts, dresses, and shoes. There is no limit to where I see my brand going and I plan on working hard until my brand is a staple.
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 difficult road to figure out. I don’t really understand the social media game so that’s been something I’ve been working hard on getting better at. When you’re in a creative field sometimes, the logistic sides take away a little bit of the passion but ultimately, you’ve just got to keep going. My father used to always say, “never give up, if you love something you never stop trying”. I keep that mantra with me whenever I feel overwhelmed or stressed about getting more pieces and content out there. I think with any new business, you really have to love it because it’s all about the little wins to get to a big win. I’ve had little wins here and there but I have my eye on a big win which I know the universe will provide. It’s been a slow start but I think as more time comes and more exposure, people will appreciate what I’m trying to do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I feel like what sets me apart from others is my knowledge. I know quite a bit about music, gear, classics, etc. I have been playing guitar for about seven years now and having such a close connection to music it reflects in my designs. Sometimes I hear a song and it’s almost as if a certain melody, guitar riff, drum beat is painting itself a picture in my mind. There are certain moments when you’re either watching a movie or listening to a song that strikes a chord with you and almost feels like magic whenever I feel that I create and I create something that people tend to be drawn to. There’s something so powerful about paint, you can create anything and I think that’s what makes it so magical so being able to have the power to wear that makes you magical. I talk to my clients and see what their interests are and what makes them feel confident. I want my designs to make that person feel badass and unique because at the end of the day, we all are.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I feel like staying true to myself is the most important part to my success. I don’t want my brand to have to conform to certain trends that are quick money makers but ultimately something I don’t like. I want my brand to stay true to the classic and sleek style I love. Trends are changing all the time but there’s some things that will always be in style for example: a little black dress. I want my brand to represent genuine and classic pieces that I am proud to show the world I created.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paigeblakedesigns/
