I remember meeting Regina when she as working on her art page. From drawings to painting on denim jackets to now owing her own business which you can find inside the indoor marketplace with may more creatives/curators as well! One of this week's features is Regina, @l.s.d.boutique
We begin as Regina tells us a little bit about what she's been enjoying recently "My name is Maria Regina Montemayor and I've been enjoying morning runs, and a healthy dose of D8. Owning your own business is stressful, so it’s essential to find ways to manage it in a healthy way!" I agree with doing your own activities that bring you fun, joy, or just relaxation. I like to cycle on my off time, read, listen to CDs outside to manage myself in a healthy way. She continues by mentioning some of her favorite local businesses/artists "TheRGVSeems, ShopSunDreams, RGVHempitup, Que Chevere, Cosmos, JuicyFresh, Glutenisfree, YoursOnlyThrift, ConejitaMorenita, Shopmonamour, Sowgoodcandles, and ofc 8visionvintage. The list can go on and on to be honest! I really enjoy the food, the product, and the art." Local food really do be hitting different. I can recognize some of these individuals, but I'll be sure to check out the ones I don't know!
From her beginnings to where she is now how does she incorporate herself into her boutique as she says "LSD Boutique is an extension of my person, and of my world. It’s a piece of my mind, my likes, and my dislikes. My page is a diary, and my shop is a closet. I live without prejudice, and try to spread the message of peace through clothes. Empowering people through fashion is a mental health service." I believe that you can send a message through clothing and of course it can be empowering. It is a statement. When I walk into your shop and see whats on the racks and on the shelves. It can go from many diversities along to unisex. When I also mean diverse I mean that there is also clothing for different sizes that's also fashionable. When I talk about unisex it can be more than just the "women's" clothes provided. As A$AP Rocky mentions in his latest GQ Interview "I think seeing men push boundaries especially straight men I'm all for it. I fuck with that. I think its beautiful especially in something like fashion. There's no boundaries. Do what the fuck you want. Do what feels right. Fashion is a statement." If I see something at Regina's shop that's for "women" well fuck it. To me that's another piece for my essential closet and knowing that her shop is also a safe space/comfortable setting as she mentions "I live without prejudice...and empowering people through fashion."
From everything in her collection in shop what can be said about her interest in clothing along with fashion as she says "The dynamic between clothing & fashion is what’s most interesting to me. Clothing is a necessity, yet fashion is something you can’t buy. Seeing how the play their roles with one another is one of the neatest things to see!" Yeah I can agree on clothing being a necessity, but fashion is something you can't buy. You can buy the most expensive item for your fit, but it's not "fashionable." When even the essential items and the items being a "necessity" can also be "fashionable." It's very strange.
From the statements/empowerment made through clothing what can be said about art in clothing? "There is, and there isnt. There is love, art, and passion in a handcrafted item. But there is nothing fun, or kind, in clothing that is made in a sweatshop! Support a local designer if you can" There truly is "love, art, and passion" through a handcrafted item. Even if it isn't handmade clothing or something like that you can always buy hand crafted accessories for your clothes!
How does Regina choose the clothing for her shop? "I only pick things I like, there’s no formula for this! I grew up dressing all sorts of ways. I was emo, goth, hippy, scene, business casual, sporty, preppy...you name it. It’s not because I lacked identity, I just didn’t want to fit in a box so I dressed as I pleased. I think that helps a lot with curating!" Being able to dress how you want growing up sounds amazing! My mom dressed me up growing up in what she thought was nice. It's not now that I have begun experimenting more and seeing what works for me. It certainly has been fun. It must be a pro to the shop for having been able to dress how Regina wanted allowing her to add so many things to it.
With some much clothing and things that aren't fun such as "clothing made in a sweatshop" what can be said about things that are fun and kind such as sustainable clothing and how we can spread awareness to the community "I worry that it’s starting to seem like a trend, and less like a real issue. I encourage everyone to make small changes that make a big impact. It’s as simple as buying a reusable cup to reduce plastic waste. Look into 'Sustainable Thinking,' it’s something I’ve been practicing for a while now. I do have a few things in mind to spread awareness for the community, but I’ll save those for later!" Is is possible for something to look or seem sustainable when it's not? There is a lot to think about when I think about what is "sustainable" or a "sustainable action", but maybe I'm already doing something without even knowing it. Like packing my own dinner to work with the same bowl and re-using the same utensils, but of course washed!
What can Regina tell us about her themed drops? Is it all planned or? "Nope, nothing is more than 2days planned. We all have our own creative process, and what works for me, may not work for everyone. I’m unpredictable & impulsive, I like a lot music, and I have a lot of love for art." Reading "unpredictable & impulsive" sometimes things are better that way. We just never know what we are going to get.
How does she wish to grow with her shop? "I would love to be a creative director one day. To work in the sets of movies, magazines, and music videos. Of course, I will emphasize sustainability instead of consumerism. I envision models in fully thrifted outfits, on the cover of Vogue or Bazaar." Ooo a magazine! Do I smell a zine collaboration? Who knows we shall see! Reading "I envision models in fully thrifted outfits" sounds amazing! Especially in a magazine and having it as a big event or a low key event would be very interesting.
Is there anything Regina would like to experiment with? "I’m experimenting with fashion right now. I’ve learned how to alter and paint pieces, so I’m onto my next goal! Construct the actual clothes. Right now I’m trying to build a t-shirt. I’ll perfect it! Just give me time !" Check out Regina's altered shirts! They are pretty neat! From selling to designing? redesigning? reconstructing clothing? Something between those lines perhaps, but its super neat!
Regina shares her thoughts on the local scene in The Valley from the businesses to the art,
"I love it! I love how it’s growing, and I’ve come to love and appreciate so many of those involved ! For example, Ramiro from Outinthe956. Really cool dude! He’s the page to follow for all things 956. He’s really good at uplifting brand new locals, and sharing local events.
I used to think that I’d have to leave to Austin, or San Antonio if I wanted a shot at in the art scene. Today, I feel the RGV is a serious underdog. Let’s keep nurturing our beautiful community."
She shares her final thought,
" Hmmm should I give some unsolicited advice ?
1. Love yourself so no one has too.
2. Protect your essence.
3. If it serves no purpose in your life, dismiss it.
4. Good habits get you further than bad ones. "
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