Welcome to my Closet with Beatrice Valenzuela

We imagine that heaven looks a lot like…

Beatrice Valenzuela’s closet. A fashion designer, mother, cook, and self-proclaimed party girl, she’s got a gravitational pull all her own. Just ahead of our Holiday launch we spent the afternoon with Bea, covering everything from design inspirations and natural fibers, to Venusian dressing, and her lip smacking cocktail recipe - just in time for the holiday season.

1. Heirloom knits, vintage bags & juicy silk, 2. Where the magic happens… Bea’s home studio, 3. Nothing speaks to a designer quite like deadstock lace, 4. The closet of our dreams, 5. Nearly party-ready, 6. Precious jewelry, dreamt up & designed by Bea herself

1. Where the magic happens… Bea’s home studio, 2. The closet of our dreams, 3. Heirloom knits, vintage bags & juicy silk

CD:

BV:

Describe your style in 3 words

Romantic, bohemian, and venusian -
venusian via the sea

CD:

BV:

What feeling do you aim for when getting dressed?

First and foremost, I need to be comfortable. It kind of depends on the day, the weather. It’s always gonna be a natural fiber, so that guides my day. Sometimes I want to be more feminine, but there are days where I go a little bit more masculine too.

Nearly party-ready

CD:

BV:

When designing jewelry and shoes, do you look for inspiration anywhere in particular?

I love film, and I love looking at costumes and it’s super interesting to me, I’m always so inspired. I also love relics and really old jewelry from the greek and roman periods.

CD:

BV:

What feeling are you trying to evoke when you’re designing jewelry?

I want the people that wear the jewelry to really feel like goddesses. I want them to feel like they are in some epic story, and when I’m designing I’m very careful to pick beautiful shapes, and things that will be long lasting.

1. Nothing speaks to a designer quite like deadstock lace, 2. Precious jewelry, dreamt up & designed by Bea herself

*Bea, in all her glory! Our mane muse ;)*

CD:

BV:

What feeling do you aim for when getting dressed?

I want to feel like the best version of myself, but also feel like I can easily move around & do things. You never know what is going to happen…

CD:

BV:

What do you reach for when you don’t know what to wear?

A dress, always a dress. It’s great because it’s only one thing, the only thing I have to choose is the fabric. Do I want to wear, linen, cotton, lace…

CD:

BV:

What makes you pick something new for your wardrobe?

That’s usually driven by the need I have. If there’s a new color or pattern that I’m really feeling I need in my closet. It’s always some kind of silhouette that I don’t already have, that I’m dreaming of.

CD:

BV:

What are you most nostalgic for in this season of your life? getting dressed?

Deep connection. But it’s gotta be with someone that’s willing to go really deep in conversation. We’re all using our critical thinking skills and all trying to reach a little bit further, push the envelope a little bit. That’s what I really want these days.

Bea, in all her glory! Our mane muse ;)

CD:

BV:

Name one person whose closet you want to raid.

Frida Kahlo, absolutely. When I was a little girl, I saw a picture of her in class. It was a self-portrait of her with all the monkeys around her, and I just remember being like who is this creature, what is going on here? I love that she’ll be wearing a mens suit, and then a huipil, an indigenous dress from Mexico and South America. She does that dichotomy so well, the mix of western and Mexican.

CD:

BV:

Where do you pull style inspo from that isn’t fashion related?

I love going to museums and seeing old clothing, old jewelry, especially ancient jewelry from Syria, Greece, Rome. I’ve spent a lot of time in museums in those countries and am forever inspired. Even just looking at sculptures and what is draping on some sculpture of some goddess or some nymph somewhere.

Bea’s Pink Lady Mezcal Margarita

-2 oz fresh squeezed blend of lemon and blood orange juice
-1 oz mezcal
-2 pinches of pink Himalayan salt
(more if needed)
-a couple drops of angostura bitters (optional)
-giant ice cube
-sparkling water
-one pink lady apple
-tajín to garnish

Stir all ingredients, add ice then garnish with tajín and a wedge of pink lady on the rim. Serve and enjoy at sunset.

CD:

BV:

Where do you pull style inspo from that isn’t fashion related?

I love going to museums and seeing old clothing, old jewelry, especially ancient jewelry from Syria, Greece, Rome. I’ve spent a lot of time in museums in those countries and am forever inspired. Even just looking at sculptures and what is draping on some sculpture of some goddess or some nymph somewhere.

CD:

BV:

What’s the most nostalgic piece in your wardrobe, and how would you style it with this new Christy Dawn collection?

It would have to be this vest that I purchased years ago after selling my first wool hanging weaving. (I sold the piece) to one of my painters Rebecca Morris, and I took that money straight into the store and I got this beautiful reversible vest. When I got it, it felt really flamboyant and over the top, and I was a little more conscious of it when I would wear it. But now I feel like I’ve really grown into that person and it fits perfectly.

CD:

Okay rapid fire time!

Girlie or tomboy?

Definitely more feminine but I will every now and again something more masculine like a linen suit or a leather jacket… Sorry that wasn’t very rapid *laughs*