Today we’d like to introduce you to Maira Lucia
Hi Maira, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Fashion styling has always been my favorite outlet of creativity. When I was 9 years old, I told my mom I wanted to dress myself. My mom was no longer going to dress me. I would cry at the hand-me-downs of my sister’s clothes from the 80s. This was the 20th century. I didn’t want to dress that way. My favorite outfit, was a matching pink summer set. It was my favorite outfit. I wore it till it faded, and no longer fit me. That’s when I began to really think about, what I wanted to wear and how I wanted to express myself.
Growing up in a low income household, I was definitely limited to my styling choices. It wasn’t until my high school years. Side hair buns, skinny jeans and high lace boots. This was the fashion era I grew up in. Fast fashion was the only outlet to trendy fashion. From the help of my sister, buying me clothes. Working at Aeropostale to buy myself clothes as well. This is how I funded my clothes and how my fashion world expanded.
You can always see me embracing fashion style. It definitely blossomed in high school. I was nominated best dressed in high school, although the fine print said otherwise. They had spelled my name wrong. I was determined to always be the best dressed. It’s my Leo way. I always try to push the envelope and dress up at any chance I can get. Especially living in Utah. Where there are limited opportunities to dress up. You have to create opportunities to dress up. Even if I’m going to a cafe, I have to show out. If I dress up and put on a good outfit, it not only makes me feel good. It’s a way of expressing myself without saying a word. I was a shy girl, and this was a conversation starter.
That is why I help others with their style and help those that ask. Fashion styling is more than what you put on your body. It’s a form of confidence that radiates, when you love what you wear. You stand a little taller, you make conversation with people and it starts a conversation.
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 took me a while to stay within the fashion field. I always had an inclination that this is what I needed to do, it was a yearning. I was always told to go to college and get an education. But college was not for me. 4 years later taking general education courses. Dragging my soul away. Dimming it’s light. It wasn’t until I put my focus in the arts. The fashion industry at SLCC, is where I blossomed. Close to graduating from the fashion institute at SLCC. I found my way and wanted to dive in head first. I wanted to create…but then. Covid hit and everything seemed mundane, especially fashion. If the world ended tomorrow, fashion would be the least of my worries. As the air started to clear and I could catch my breath. I realized it helps life feel easier. It’s a form of art that can still be beautiful. Fashion has transformed into upcycling, thrifting and sustainable thinking. Of course it’s not perfect and there is yet so much change that has to be done. Fashion still takes its place as one of the highest pollutants to the world. Yet I’m determined to be on the side of fashion that wants to make a change. No matter how long it took me to get here, it’s all a part of God’s plan. It all needed to happen this way, to appreciate it even more.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an ever evolving person, I like to try new things. I’m currently working on these things. I sell clothes on Depop, check it out on @mutualmemory. Main goal with this is to provide stylish clothing for people at a reasonable price. I want to make sure people can find secondhand stylish clothing, that’s not overpriced. I also share my outfits on social media and want to venture into giving people styling inspiration and tips. Follow me @mairalucia_ if you need some inspiration. I’m also working on a personal styling course, to help people find direction in fashion styling. Or help cultivate the current style they have. Not just help people dress themselves. But help give them the tools to style themselves long term. It’s currently in progress. Follow my Instagram for more details to come.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is ever changing to the stage of life you’re in. It can be seen in different parts of life. It’s whatever goals you set yourself and accomplish. I feel like it can be endless. To reach full success you just have to be happy in what you do and whatever brings you everlasting joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mairalucia.com
- Instagram: mairalucia_
- Youtube: mairalucia
