Today we’d like to introduce you to Fernanda La Funky Mexicana.
Hola! Soy Fernanda, a Mexican-born and raised former plant-based chef who, amidst the pandemic, decided to start over again and return back to Mexico City to reconnect with my roots and be closer to my family – after 10 years of living in the USA.
A mental health crisis was the reason I stopped cooking and started creating, and La Funky Mexicana was born. It has shown me so many beautiful things about resilience, courage, bravery, self-love, empowerment, and creativity. I’m a forever restless, creative spirit – dog lover, shoe fanatic, color enthusiast, and sea admirer. La Funky came to life because I had this urge to sprinkle a bit of México and a piece of my heart into every handmade product sold around the world. Like a part of me felt I owed to my country.
In December 2020, after being away from my homeland for 8 years – and in the middle of the pandemic – I followed my heart back to México, where I belong. It was time to reconnect with my roots, spend time with my family, and take a creative detour from my 20-year journey in the culinary world to pursue my true passion – design mixed with my Mexican heritage. Heading home triggered a wave of memories – like when I was just 15 and whipped up my first belt collection from embroidered elastics found in my parents’ basement. That was just the start of my creative journey. This journey of reinvention has been a beautiful ride. Now, my biggest dream is to spread the positive vibes of La Funky Mexicana worldwide because I want anyone who puts on a piece of La Funky Mexicana to feel the same pride and love that runs through my Mexican veins.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Having my team and workshop in Mexico City is essential, but my production and shipping times can take 10-15 working days, and sometimes people want to get their purchased goods right away. So I have been lucky enough to have found my clientele, the one that understands and supports my art, the ones who are willing to wait. Handmade goods have their pros and cons.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My products are intended to make you feel unique, empowered, and special. No two straps, embroidered jackets, crossbody fanny packs, or other handmade pieces are alike.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I had a silver puffer jacket I wore to school during winter, and kids said I looked like an astronaut. A part of me felt ashamed, but my funky side felt like I was special. I also had a plastic yellow jacket similar to a firefighter’s uniform and loved it so much. When I started buying high heels, I had a particularly favorite store where I purchased unique and funky shoes no one had. I designed my first piece when I was 15 years old out of elastic embroidered pieces I found in my parent’s basement to buy myself a designer wallet; that was my first encounter with design.
Pricing:
- 80
- 85
- 95
- 100
- 125
Contact Info:
- Website: www.funkymexicana.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lafunkymexicana
Image Credits
Fernanda Fug Calen Otto
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