Today ADC features Xavia Creative Pirate Inventor!
Could
you please introduce yourself and tell us where you are originally from?
My
name is Xavia, I was born in Englewood, Colorado but grew up in Littleton,
Colorado. I guess that doesn’t sound very exciting, but it’s been pretty cool.
What is it that you do?
I
have been asking myself this question a lot lately. I think that beyond
designing clothes or doing art. I am a creative pirate-inventor. I don’t
specialize in any one thing; I think I almost specialize in how different
creative projects can connect. I have done set design, photography, hair and
makeup on top of making jewelry, clothing, art, etc. That involves an intense
amount of little arts that all come together to make the whole project cohesive
and create a mood.
When did you first
realize that you wanted to pursue this?
I
kind of started designing clothes as a little kid. I designed clothes for my
dolls; I always thought about it as something all little girls did. Later on I
regularly drew designs and made and altered my own clothes but again, never
thought of it as a career. Around 2009 people started asking me to make them
things similar to what I made for myself. Then 2 years later I started making
clothing and taking pictures to mimic my 2D art.
What
inspires you or who inspires you?
I enjoy the concept of
decay. I would like my work to reflect the beauty that can be found in the
constant decay and destruction of our environments. I also have a soft spot for
carnivals, the supernatural and Grimm’s Fairy Tales. So I really like anything
that mixes horror and the creepy pretty aesthetic. I am a huge Game of Thrones
fan, my favorite; artist is DaVinci , Creative Mind is Tim Burton, Costume
Designer is Colleen Atwood…And my favorite fashion designer is Alexander
McQueen (Heart)
What
gets you motivated to do what you do each day?
Getting to make stuff that is aesthetically pleasing! My daughter. The need to eat. And the potential that I can create and participate in making really beautiful projects with some really cool people. Oh plus I get bored, so there is ALWAYS something new to learn, or create. Plus taking over the world has to start somewhere Pinky. ;)
Getting to make stuff that is aesthetically pleasing! My daughter. The need to eat. And the potential that I can create and participate in making really beautiful projects with some really cool people. Oh plus I get bored, so there is ALWAYS something new to learn, or create. Plus taking over the world has to start somewhere Pinky. ;)
What sort of problems do you run into doing
this sort of career?
I think MY biggest problem is learning organization. To attempt a large project you need creative people, patrons or some kind of start up, in order to do that you need to advertise, to advertise you need some kind of start up or time invested. I have so many ideas, but having the means and time to really dig in and make them happen, well that is a story ANY creative can relate to. Larger projects require more time and more people. I think if money was no object I wouldn't be so creative and wouldn't have learned how to make so many things, So maybe there are no problems, only learning experiences.
I think MY biggest problem is learning organization. To attempt a large project you need creative people, patrons or some kind of start up, in order to do that you need to advertise, to advertise you need some kind of start up or time invested. I have so many ideas, but having the means and time to really dig in and make them happen, well that is a story ANY creative can relate to. Larger projects require more time and more people. I think if money was no object I wouldn't be so creative and wouldn't have learned how to make so many things, So maybe there are no problems, only learning experiences.
What are some of the biggest enjoyments or
pleasures you find from doing what you do?
There is nothing
better than learning how to do something new. Doing something you are
passionate about is worth more than any paycheck. I could get doing something I
hate or something that is mind melting boring. Sometimes I do mind melting boring things like color correction, and entering search keywords, but it’s
worth it, because I can do it at 3 in the morning if I want to.
Do you have any advice to people that want to
do what you do?
Just
start now. And you will figure it out as you go. Don’t do anything JUST for the
money; if you don’t love it, it’s not worth it. Unless, it’s ENOUGH money, a
priceless experience, or just good practice. Be humble, but know your worth.
What
is your favorite Denver Brewery or Denver Dispensary?
I am
boring and don’t have a favorite Brewery OR Dispensary. I am also a Colorado
native that has never been downhill skiing. I get yelled at all of the time for
such non participatory shenanigans.
Who
is your favorite Horror Film Character?
Oh
man…that’s really difficult. I guess IT Pennywise the clown is pretty creepy…
plus IT takes the form of whatever you fear… That’s scary.
Do you have a favorite local band that you
love to watch in concert?
Since
I don’t get the chance to see a lot of local shows, I’m going to answer with
the last local band whose show I went to, which was a band called Scavenger. They don’t play very often
but if you get the chance to check them out live it’s totally worth it.
Where
is your business located and where can we stalk you?
I do
everything out of my house; most of my business is done online and via the
postal system. I have Facebook and Etsy pages that I update regularly.
I also have some of my merchandise at local
boutiques like Spirit Wise and Luxe DeVil.
