Meet Estefany Arias of Gentle Riot in Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Estefany Arias.

Estefany, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve wanted to work in fashion since I was 13. Vogue was my bible. Unknowingly, I constantly compared myself to the models and developed a warped sense of beauty.

Long story short – I studied fashion design in college. I felt like the weird girl, I wore wacky vintage tees and clashing prints on the daily, while everyone had the same Michael Kors bag. I got my degree and a minor in Gender Studies from California State University Long Beach. Then I entered the industry and saw the huge disconnect between who was designing and who the “target customer” is.

Let me tell you – they are VERY different in regards to clothing size, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. I was working a very technical job for a clothing company and had the itch to create something. I designed something for myself and my best friend. I mentioned it to some friends, decided to make ten shirts, sold them, and made some more.

I didn’t have a brand name for a month, but I had a vision. I wanted to create a space for the weird girl — a space to celebrate those never celebrated in the pages of Vogue.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a hustle. All of my struggles are of my own making, I constantly doubt myself creatively, but I have to remember why I started this. I think about the little Estefanys and generations of Latinas growing up who have big dreams. I want them to know that it’s okay to be who they are and too proud of their culture.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Gentle Riot is a brand that creates space for Latinas and Women of Color in the fashion industry. We are celebrating all aspects of the Latinx experience, including the negative things our moms used to call us, and owning it. Gentle Riot is about challenging any cultural or societal norms assigned to Women of Color. It’s about girls doing whatever the f*ck they want. Following their own path and doing it in a really soft t-shirt.

What’s your favorite memory from childhood?
One of my fondest memories of childhood was going to get coffee and doughnuts with my grandma (Lita). We would recycle cans and go get treats with the money. She would give me coffee under the condition that I wouldn’t tell my mom. Grandmas are the best.

In high school, I hung out with the art weirdos and bad girls. I was a rebel as a teenager but did surprisingly well academically. I loved going to thrift stores and wearing really wacky things. I loved self-expression through clothes.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shopgentleriot.com
• Email: shop.gentleriot@gmail.com
• Instagram: @GentleRiot

Image Credit:
Iris Ray, Danny Espinoza, Las Fotos Project

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