One of the most exciting reasons to be at Long Beach, California November 18th and 19th were the rising women-owned brands featured at ComplexCon 2023.
Respect My Region was given media access to this years fashion, art, food, and live performances in Long Beach, California. Here we were able to meet and speak with some up and coming brands that are women-owned.
From conventions that celebrate brands in Africa such as Street Souk, to the deeply rooted heritage that makes up brands such as Equihua. We were able to get some exclusive interviews with some of the women of ComplexCon 2023.
Image via RADR Africa
“We’re a streetwear convention and community who brings brands from Africa to the world”, says brand owner Iretidayo “Ireti” Zaccheaus. Street Souk is the largest streetwear brand in Africa that collaborates with brands to relay important messages that Zaccheaus and others behind the brand want to the whole world to know.
When questioned about the inspiration deep within the brand, Zaccheaus responded with ComplexCon. “The idea of my brand is to have this platform where you can have so many streetwear brands from different backgrounds with different styles and bring them together”, says Ireti.
The Street Souk booth was flooded all weekend as visitors of the convention bought merchandise and chatted with the people behind the brand. Zaccheaus explained that they are bringing Africa to every single thing. “Our brand is built on collaborations”, says Ireti and mentioned that their first collaboration ever was with Off-White to celebrate young Nigerian woman. “When you wear our brand, wear it proud”, says Zaccheaus.
Image Frendy Lemorin via Frndy Lmrn
“I didn’t want to have a brand with no meaning behind it” says the brand owner of Girls Who Dress Like Boys. Kimberlyanne Mendoza was posted up on a corner of the marketplace floor at ComplexCon and took some time to share a bit about the origin, collaborations, and meaning behind her brand.
Amongst the list of women-owned brands at ComplexCon 2023, the brand reflects its name with the unique sizing and style which caters to women who have always had that tomboy side to them. Mendoza explained that her brand explores gender-neutral unisex sizing and works towards breaking boundaries that have been created by years of fashion. She mentions that the brand is “for women to be able to be their authentic selves”.
To celebrate Women’s History Month, Mendoza mentioned that their first ever collaboration was with Wish Atlanta. The collaboration includes a t-shirt that represents the true meaning behind the brand with the words “A collective of women replacing heels with sneakers”. Mendoza also explains that at the moment nothing is set in stone, but they’ve been talking to brands to collaborate so “follow us!”
Image by Ally Green via Los Angeles Times
Equihua pronounced “e-KEE-wah” is “a luxury heritage brand based out of LA” says brand owner Brenda Equihua. One of the many women-owned brands at ComplexCon 2023, yet you could spot out the brands booth in a heart-beat as it basically transported you directly to Santee Alley. The cubicle was adorned with a hand-made fruit cart “Fruits and Cobijawear” written on it. Decorations curated the entire booth that imitated ATM signs and items such as toys, food, clothing and everything else you could find in the alley located in the Fashion District. (Everything was hand-made by Brenda, her brother-in-law, and other family members!)
When asked about the inspiration behind her brand, Equihua explained that it’s a “personal diary” and that she believes that “it is deeply rooted in culture, very personal”. The brand is made up of a variety of pieces of clothing and accessories. This includes coats and jackets made of “cobijas” or “blankets” in which some display Our Lady of Guadalupe or Tigers, which are commonly seen in Mexican and Latin culture. The brand also has pants, bags, and scrunchies made out of the same “cobija” material which is warm and fuzzy.
The most recent release was a candle in which is called “Mundos“. “The candle we just launched is called múndos which translates to “worlds” says Equihua, “it’s about taking our time to connect with our inner world, the world outside of us, and connecting to the world of our ancestors.”
Many of the items in which are sold have special meaning behind them, and Equihua explains “I don’t have much control on how it’s received, so I really just focus on the intention more than the messaging”.
“Telling the story of San Marcos, the original creator, and this item of clothing that is deeply rooted in heritage and immigrant culture” was the main inspiration behind the idea to use the material cut from thick acrylic, that reminds most Chicanos of home.
As a Hispanic born and raised in a city that borders Mexico, I felt extremely nostalgic when visiting the Equihua booth at the convention and I made sure to express this to Brenda. “Thank you so much, I’m glad you said that. We definitely touch on a lot of memories, I think we always like to start from a place that seems familiar, because that’s how you open the door to let people in” concluded Equihua.
