Haute Talk with Raphaella Godoy | Art, Punk, and Slow Fashion

What changes when we stop treating clothing like disposable content and start seeing it as art?

This week on The Lexy Show, Lexy sits down with Raphaella Godoy, the self-taught Brooklyn designer creating bold, one-of-one wearable art. Raised in a creative family of painters, musicians, and performers, Raphaella approaches clothing as another artistic medium, combining sewing with painting, embroidery, screen printing, found objects, and unexpected materials.

Raphaella shares how experimenting with her mother’s old sewing machine helped her discover the work she wanted to pursue. She and Lexy talk about developing personal style in a culture driven by microtrends, finding inspiration in thrift stores and fabric scraps, and giving secondhand garments an entirely new identity. Raphaella also explains how her Mexican roots, Catholic imagery, punk influences, bones, and the unconventional women in her family find their way into her designs.

The conversation gets honest about teaching yourself a creative skill without expensive fashion school, searching online for answers when you do not know the technical language, and accepting mistakes as part of the process. Raphaella also opens up about being a one-woman business, balancing creativity with content and order fulfillment, and why she prefers making unique pieces over repeatedly producing the same popular design.

Social Media

Instagram: @raphaellagodoy
TikTok: @raphaellanyc 

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe to The Lexy Show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who's ready to make more mindful choices for themselves and the planet. For more information visit https://lexysilverstein.com/

Transcript

Raphaella_LEX

lexy: [00:00:00] Welcome to Lexi Show Fashion that gives a damn. This week I am joined by an inspirational designer. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Rafaella Gado. How are you doing today? So you grew up in a wildly creative family with painters, musicians, performers. How did that environment kinda shape the way that you think about clothes as an art form?

raphaella: I think growing up in like such a creative family just kind of like gave me the freedom to explore different like mediums and then realizing that like art can be anything really. So when I started making clothes and I started kind of like. Trying to describe my clothing. I came across the term wearable art, and I'm like, that's totally, I think what I'm doing.

'cause I'm also like painting on them, screen printing embroidering. And I think that's also a form of art, whether it's on the wall, on clothing, like, 

lexy: yeah. Yeah. No, completely. I mean, I think that [00:01:00] fashion is, so, I used to talk a lot more about how I. Fashion's like a psychology. Um, and how, oh, interesting.

Like, you know, like if you're having like a shitty day or whatever and you wear something for that shitty day, you're going to keep having a shitty day. But like you take the time and wear an outfit that you maybe would wear when you're in a better mood. Like, like statistically your mood can increase.

Or like when you're wearing colors you like, or like genuinely, I just think of the like. Example where I'm like, if I don't like my outfit, I'm, I'm kind of a bitch. Like, like I feel uncomfortable. I don't feel like myself, like, and I've had so many. Uh, days where I think that I wasn't being true to my style or I was wearing something 'cause everyone else was wearing it or whatever.

Right. It's like getting to learn my personal style was so important to me. Um, I mean, still to this day I'm like, yes, I'll wear outfits that I'm like, Ugh, God. Like, what was I thinking? But yeah. But then I wear outfits that I'm like, this [00:02:00] is, someone will comment it sometimes they'll be like, this is such a Lexi outfit, and I'm like, thank you.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's one of my favorite compliments is when someone sees something and they're like, this is you. 

raphaella: Yeah. It's so you. I love also hearing that, and that makes sense. I, I guess we all kind of have to wear outfits though, that we're kind of like, Ugh. Because you're experimenting and trying to find like what looks best on you or what you feel best in too.

So yeah, I feel that. 

lexy: Completely. And I would literally notice where, I mean, I think that this is something that's been really trendy where like you get your, like colors or whatever. Um, yeah, I never 

raphaella: did that. I'm like, I, I dunno about this. 

lexy: This is my thing is I, my cousin got it for me Uhhuh. And I thought it's, I think it's really interesting and I think it's.

Only good if you're thinking of it, where it's like, I don't know. I think if you, my goal for 2026, which was also my goal for 2025 that I did not do oopsies, um, is to like audit my closet and to like track every single thing in my closet, figure out how many new things I'm bringing in per year and then like 

mm-hmm.

I [00:03:00] wear and like how much I wear of it or whatever. And so like my friend. Has the spreadsheet that she does where every time she wears one of these pieces, like she will track it and then at the end of the month it's like, okay, I wore the color yellow like 20 times throughout the month. Like obviously.

Mm-hmm. I like that color. You're drawn to this. Yeah. Yeah. That's where I found it interesting. Where I was like, okay, well, like I'm not gonna just get rid of every single color in my closet. That's not technically my color, because like Right. That's like 90% of my closet. Like I, 

raphaella: yeah, if you enjoy wearing it, who cares what the color chart thing said?

It's like, oh, okay. I feel good in it. I like look good in it. Why not? 

lexy: Exactly. But then I was, no, so then I was noticing, I was like. I have a lot of, you know, this one I have a lot of pink. I think pink's a good example for me. 

Mm-hmm. I think 

it's interesting 'cause I feel like a lot of times there's so many like blonde characters and movies that like love pink, but I'm, I do not think certain shades of pink look good [00:04:00] on me.

And I had a lot of pink in my closet and I was like, I'm never wearing pink. Like it's in my closet and I never go for this piece. 

Yeah. 

I was like then kind of comparing it to my like color analysis thing and I was like, oh, that's because it literally looks bad on me apparently. And that's why like your 

raphaella: under skin tones or something.

Yeah. And that's why I wasn't 

lexy: feeling really cute when I wore it, and that's why I would stop gravitating towards it. And so then it's good when I'm like thinking and I'm thrifting and I'm whatever, and I'm sourcing new clothes that I'm like, yeah, not to go for this. Yeah, I know. Maybe not. For that thing.

And so I think fashion is so interesting and I think that with all the trends that we have out there, like we're losing this kind of art of personal style. And I, yeah, the micro trends that like every few weeks it seems like, I'm like, holy shit. I'm like, what is I'm, I don't even know what's on trend 

raphaella: right now.

'cause everything, I don't know. Oh, it's a lot. It's just, and [00:05:00] it's happening so fast because of social media and fast fashion companies that are able to produce at that, like speed and it's just like, no. Yeah. I think it's, it's okay if you see something, you like it and like it's a whatever, micro turn, but it's truly a few like.

Resonate with it. You wanna try it and you like wear it even after it's not necessarily trendy. It's like, yeah, go for it. Like, who 

lexy: cares? That's how I always talk about trends when I'm like, if there's way of like trends are in every single industry. Trends aren't the devil. It's just how we go about shopping trends and I think that I see so many people on.

Social media that like you can just tell, which no, like hate to them, but it's like, like I'm like, this is how it's marketed to them. They're, if anything, just doing like what the, is they seeing? Yeah. Um, but I'll see so many people that like, you can literally tell when their style changes based on the trends and like what their style is, is trends.

Yeah. And like, um. I'm like, it's so like, I like [00:06:00] trends as much as the next girl. I love polka dots. I liked adding bows to all my shit. 

Yeah. I 

wasn't buying stuff that like had bows on it. I just had like ribbon in my house. It's high. Yeah. Yeah. And I would like safety pin. Like ribbons onto something. Yeah.

And then one that goes over, or like, I wanted to wear the piece again without the ribbons. I would just un unsafety pin it. 

Right. So 

it's like how you incorporate it, I think is what's so important. Um, 

raphaella: yeah. And I think that's what we were talking about when somebody says like, oh, this outfit is so you, it's like, yeah, you can still incorporate like a trend, but the way that you're doing it, it's like there's still like the, the outfit, the vibe, everything is still me.

I just added this like. Bow or some polka dots or something, you know? Yeah, 

lexy: exactly. Yeah, totally. When did you kind of first realize that you think like fashion was more of just like, not, not not only a hobby, but maybe like your, your passion fashion? Um, 

raphaella: yeah, I guess it's like pretty recent, like in the last, like maybe.

Year or two. I like, since I was young, I always [00:07:00] liked to like dress up. Like I would always be in like weird colors. And I love to wear like my, what is it? My bell from Beauty and the Beast dress just out like I was always wearing whatever I wanted to wear and. I think I've always experimented, like I would like paint my shoes and stuff like that.

Um, and when I started my like brand, I was doing stickers. I'm like, I don't like this. I was making jewelry. I'm like, this is fine. And then when I started making clothes, it was like really fun to experiment and like the more I. Develop my, like craft and my style and everything. I'm like, oh, this is, I like doing this, like this makes sense.

And it's fun. Yeah. Like we, we were talking about like fashion is so, I don't know. It's, it's fun to express yourself and it's fun to like make it like Yeah. Wearable art and. I don't know. It's, it's fun for me and I'm like, this just makes sense and I wanna continue [00:08:00] doing this. I, I don't think I've done anything else where I felt like, yeah, this, this is my thing.

So it was cool to kind of like realize that. Yeah. 

lexy: Yeah. No, completely. I think it, I always love hearing like people's entry, I guess, into the fashion world. 'cause I feel like it's. I don't know. I, I just love hearing, I feel like creative's stories, um, they're always so either like unique or just like, this was something that I always knew I was gonna do.

Like it's, it really just, I feel like, like kind comes to us. I don't know. Um, no, that's 

raphaella: what I think it's important to like experiment. 'cause I didn't know that this is something I wanted to do. I've always created, but like. I'm always experimenting with new mediums and stuff like that. And my mom actually, she went to like fashion school for a little bit.

lexy: Yeah. And 

raphaella: she, yeah, she dropped out and she like bought a sewing machine 'cause we we're short, we have to Hummer pants and stuff and, but it would just sit in the closet and one day I'm like, lemme pull this out. Like, she [00:09:00] showed me how to thread the machine. And then everything else has just been like YouTube or like, I go on Reddit, I'm like, how do I do this?

Mm-hmm. Um, so it was, yeah, it was just like literally like a cheap. Like, um, Amazon, I think she got it machine, but I'm like, let me pull this out. Experiment. And it's been so much trial and error and lots of frustrations and like broken needles and I have to rip seams and everything, but I'm just like, I'd rather be doing this than like whatever else.

lexy: Yeah, that, see, that's where I was like. Learning how to sew or whatever, and I was like, oh God, like I'm messing this up. The needle keeps it's hard thread keeps, I was like, this is gonna go just to me. I'm just gonna wear this. No one's, yeah. Not gonna see at the light of day to anybody else, but 

raphaella: yeah, especially when like you didn't like, since I didn't have any schooling for it and I'm just kind of like self-taught sometimes I have such a hard time finding.

The answers I need because [00:10:00] I don't know the, all the like, technical terms and stuff. I'm like, why is this happening? And I keep getting like, answers that are not helpful, I'm like, I don't even, I have to go find out what it even is called this piece or what I'm doing or this stitch and then, and then I can like find the answers.

'cause I'm like, oh, but there's so many resources online. It's been so great. Like YouTube University, that is my my go-to. 

lexy: Yeah. Well I think that it's so. I mean, that's something that like, I don't know, literally just this year I was looking back and I was like, you know what? As a kid, I used to be really fricking cool.

I used to be able to like, play the piano and play the guitar, and like, I did like karate. And I'm like, yeah, where, where did all my like aura go? Like why, why am I like so boring now? And so this year I like. Tried to relearn some of my like piano and guitar skills. I like, yeah. Got a guitar off of Facebook Marketplace and I was like, you know what?

Learning this in 2025 was such a better option than like, I mean, yes, there were options back in the day, but like, like, [00:11:00] I don't know, a song can release that day and then someone Right. Tutorial of how to do it on YouTube that day or yeah, whatever. And I'm like, it's, it's truly so amazing how. We can like, hone our skills or like just relearn them or whatever.

Um, nowadays, maybe I'll take it. 'cause that was something I was really, really into during COVID was like sewing and upcycling things and I'm like, I. It was cool back then. Maybe I'll try doing it again. Yeah, you gotta get back into 

raphaella: it. 

lexy: Yeah. Yeah. I got 

raphaella: And it, since you already were doing it, you have the like basis base.

Yeah. You know, like, it's like, okay, you know how to thread your machine, you know how to do this. Like you've done it before. It'll be like hopefully just like riding a bike, you know? We just, yeah. Pick it back up. Well, 

lexy: people say that, and then I hadn't ridden a bike in like 15 years and I went to ride a bike and I definitely did not know how to do it again guys.

It was so bad. It was so bad. I was like, oh, 

raphaella: it's a thing. I guess I haven't, like not ridden a bike in 15 years and then gotten back on [00:12:00] and been like, Hmm, let me see. 

lexy: I think if I really put more effort into it, I, I could ride guys. I know how to ride. Absolutely. I know how to ride one. I just wouldn't say I am necessarily good at it.

Um, but my parents did. They have like these, like two bikes or whatever that are the crazy ones that like can go like, like electric ones. Like electric. Thank you. I was like, oh, those 

raphaella: are scary. Those go fast. 

lexy: They go fast. But I like don't really have to like. Work. Yeah. Yeah. It's easier. 

I think 

when I go and visit them during the holidays I'm gonna retry 'cause I cannot be, uh, 20 in my twenties and, uh, not know how to ride a bike.

Um, you got this say to people that don't know how to, because I also basically fall into that category anyways. Um, coming up from both New York and Mexico City, um, do you think that like. Those two places influence, um, or like show up in your design identity at all. 

raphaella: Yeah, definitely. I think so. I'm also, I'm [00:13:00] from Mexico City and I grew up in Reno, Nevada, which also I think has like, okay.

Yeah. I, I think that also all everywhere I've lived and stuff, I do think it shows up in my designs, um, in like being from Mexico, my great-grandmother is the first female muralist. In Mexico. She was like, friends with Frida. I feel like I take a lot of inspiration from like, her art. My other grandmother's like, was very Catholic and I feel like I, I take a lot of inspiration from that.

And like in Nevada is very, you know, we got the Wild West. I, I collect like bones and I love sewing. Kind of like. Right now I'm actually working on something where I'm gonna like, uh, sequin, embroider a spine onto a dress. And I'm just really inspired by like bones and stuff. Like I have so many that I've found actually just have a bunch, like sitting on my desk, but I'm like, okay, obsessed.

I love that. So yeah, definitely all of that shows up in my, in my clothing, my art. 

lexy: So how would you say, I mean, you're a one woman show, so how would you say like the creative process looks like for [00:14:00] you? 

raphaella: Oh, it's pretty chaotic. I think I tried. I'm, I've always been very scatterbrained. Um, so it's, I, I've tried to sit down and sketch ideas and then I've, I go back and I realize it's such a waste of my time because it, nothing looks like the sketch.

I just kind of like. Find a, a like secondhand piece that I'm like, Ooh, I like this as a base for something. Or if I go to the garment district, I'm like, I like this fabric or trim or whatever. And then I kind of run with that. Um, and then it's just, uh, I, I love to create, I love making stuff, but then I guess sometimes I feel like my creative process can be kind of.

I have to put it on the back burner because I also have to pack orders. I have to update my website. I have to make reels post on social media and do all of this stuff. And I, I realize it's part of it, like it comes with it, and I'd rather be doing this for myself, but I'm like, I just wanna make stuff. I don't wanna take photos of it and like be like, look at this.

And I put descriptions and measure it and all of that. It's like, [00:15:00] I don't care to do that. And I wish I had, I could be making stuff instead, but I'm just like, that's part of it, you know. 

lexy: Yeah, no, definitely. I think that, yeah. Um, I went to this thing that I spoke at and right after I went on there was this guy there and he was talking about that and talking about like being a business owner and talking about, um.

Having to create content and having to do this and having to do this, and I, I'll notice that I also have a mindset that like that, where I'm like, Ugh, God, I recorded this and now I have to edit it. 

Right. 

You had a really interesting point about like. Switching your mindset to like, instead of having to do it, you get to do it like you have.

I have, yeah. And I'm so, I have heard this so bad at doing that. I am so like I'll sit there, I did this yesterday where I like locked in at like two in the morning and I was like, that's the best 

raphaella: time to lock in at two or 3:00 AM like, okay, let's go. I was 

lexy: like, I'm gonna edit every single thing that's been in my [00:16:00] like edit folder for a long time.

Yeah. So that, and then I like started scheduling all my reels and then Instagram literally cut me off because I think I scheduled too many things. Like I, I really locked in and I was like, I was like, they're like, 

raphaella: alright, you need to, you need to go to bed. 

lexy: No. They were like, yeah. They literally were like, go to sweet Sleep, sweetie.

Like, it's late. But I was like, uh, I need to do that because I, I think it's so interesting that like I get to attend cool events or I get to work. Yeah. For the planet and whatever. And like thinking that it 

raphaella: is a lot of just like reframing our mindsets. 'cause we have to like, we're super like lucky and like privileged to be able to do what we're doing.

And it's just like, sometimes it's like, oh yeah, I don't wanna edit this video. Or Oh, I don't wanna like answer emails or something. But it's just like, yeah, that's part of it. And it's just like. We're, we are lucky we're able to do that. Just kind of trying to reframe like, oh, I don't, I, I have to do this.

Always like, oh, no, I get to do this. But it's always easier said than done to like, 

lexy: yeah, no, 

raphaella: yeah. Get into that [00:17:00] mindset 

lexy: like so bad at it. I'm like, uh, it's just gonna sit in my edit folder for a long time. Like, it's gonna sit there and then I'm gonna randomly lock in on like a, what was it? Oh. Well, technically a Thursday at two in the morning and I'm gonna be like, lemme, and this 

raphaella: was like last night, or like this morning, last night.

lexy: This is literally technically this morning. 

raphaella: Yeah. Nice. Like, you also like take advantage of moments like that. 'cause you know, you're, it's important to like sit yourself down and do the things you don't feel like doing, but also if you get that burst of like, Ooh, let me get this done. Take advantage. 

lexy: Yeah.

raphaella: No, absolutely. Yeah, I 

lexy: think it's like. A good balance of that where I'm like, sometimes I gotta force myself to do things that I don't wanna do. But I know that that's like good. Like sometimes you just gotta, that's life. Yep. But then if I'm feeling, if I'm feeling the inspiration, which it's always at like two in the morning where I'm like, my entire social media's about to change, my life is about to change.

Like, then it doesn't, then I'm like, wait, let me wait till the next two. [00:18:00] Source of energy. Um, but no, it'll happen. We just 

raphaella: gotta keep keep doing it. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah. 

lexy: Well, we talked a bit about fast fashion, but your brand is really the opposite of fast fashion, which I love. Um, it's really intentional, bold, and made to last.

So how, how do you really approach designing in a slow and conscious way? 

raphaella: I guess I don't really have a choice because it's literally just me doing everything and like I'm sourcing everything. I am sewing like every I, I do everything myself. So kind of like I don't have a choice, but even. If I didn't like, I would be doing this anyway.

Like I want to create, I have a lot of fun creating like one of a kind pieces because otherwise I get bored, like creating, I have done it before where it's just like I, I, something's really popular. I'm like, oh, I need the cash. Let me make it again and again and again. And I'm just like, this is not fun for me.

It's fun for me to just like sit and create something completely different and I think that's. [00:19:00] Plays into the whole like, very slow fashion thing. And because I upcycle a lot, it's like taking secondhand pieces and giving them a new life. Mm-hmm. Um, yeah, 

lexy: no, I love that. I think, um, I've talked to people a lot recently about how like, honestly the things that we're doing in like the sustainable world are just like.

It's just like being creative or like rethinking things or like slowing the fuck down. I think that that's like a big one where it's like, you know, you're not mass producing a bunch of things, right? Same pieces, like again, this is like wearable art. You're like creating art with your clothes. Um. And I think that that's so important and like honestly how fashion really used to be like we used to see the fashion industry so much, I feel like differently than we see it now.

Um, yeah, fast 

raphaella: fashion really 

lexy: changed a lot. Yeah. It like really changed a lot of things. Yeah. And it's [00:20:00] interesting and it's like, why do we need things? So quickly. Um, why do we need so much of, so many things? Like, like, I think it's, 

raphaella: yeah, the society, like we live in such like a capitalistic consumerism like society is like more and more and more.

Let me keep on like on top of the trends and this and, ooh, this came out. Like it's just kind of. We need to consume and consume and consume instead of, um, I keep hearing people like talk about instead of consuming, like try creating and it's just like, yeah, I agree. And I'm not, I'm not saying I don't fall into this or I'm like, I'm perfect and I'm, I'm not also a consumer.

Like it's part of, you know, being alive and right now. But, um, it is important to also like, create and, and whether it's like clothes or just like writing a poem or. Like doing anything creative, so you're not, if you're creative, you creating, you can't be consuming too, and it's like you gotta find a good balance with that as well.

lexy: Yeah. That was even something I literally just saw in like TikTok, where it was like, before you do scroll on [00:21:00] TikTok, like post something. 

raphaella: Mm-hmm. I feel like I saw the Exactly. 

lexy: Yeah. And I was like, I was like, oh shit, okay, let me post every single time I go on TikTok before I wanna like scroll on it. So then I started posting so much and then I was like, oh, um.

That's not good that I'm scrolling on TikTok quite that often. It was like a direct, like, it just clicked, like light bulb, like down. I was like, oh my God, I, I've published like 10 videos today. That's means I've gone on TikTok to doom scroll 10 different times today. Right? 

raphaella: I guess that's a really good way for it to be like in your face, like.

Because it's, you're not gonna open whatever, or at least I don't open where it says like, how much time you spent on an app or something. I don't wanna see that. I don't, I don't wanna know you shit to yourself. Right? Like, that's none of my business. But if you are posting every time you go on there, it's kind of like, oh look, you, you've opened this 10 times to doom scroll.

Like 

lexy: no, literally it is in your face. Yeah. A direct like thing that I was like. Oh, and I've genuinely noticed because of that, um. I don't go, go on TikTok as [00:22:00] often. And also my indicator of that is because I used to like serial send my friends tiktoks on my free You page. 

Yeah. 

And now I go and I see all the, the tiktoks that they've sent me and I've only sent like one.

And I'm like, wow, that's growth. Like, I'm like, wow. I'm like, I'm like not on my phone. Like look at me go. Yeah. Yeah. I'm like actively still on my phone. I'm just like on like a. Stupid. Like instead of a fucking TikTok app, whatever. Yeah. Um, so along with, you know. Making your own clothes and, you know, showing us the, the bones that you are planning on working with and stuff.

So upcycling is a core part of your work and I think that with upcycling, you know, you have like random shit that you're kind of pulling into it. So can you walk us through what draws you to like certain scraps or old materials or found objects? 

raphaella: Um. What draws me to them? I think just like color and texture and the like, silhouette of things.

Um, I, I always, I kind of like collect [00:23:00] random stuff too. Um, I actually started like selling, oh, like I've been collecting like bones and like dead animals, like taxidermy, what specimens for a while and I started making, I had so much, I'm like, what do I do with this? I started making tooth jewelry with it and it's just kind of like, I've always.

Been, I don't know. You're drawn to certain things, like, I don't know why people like the things that we like. Oh, okay. But it's just like, it's, it's really easy for me to go. 'cause again, I don't really necessarily have ideas. Maybe sometimes I have a concept of what I wanna do, and I'll go to like the thrift store or the garment district, and I see something and it, it'll catch my eye.

And I'm like, I'm gonna buy this. What am I gonna do with it? No idea. But like, let's see. I, I know I like this color. I know I like this. Texture or pattern or this or that, like, yeah. 

lexy: Yeah. No, completely. I mean, honestly I feel like sometimes it's hard to explain the creative process. Like what works is what works.

That's like when I'm like, I mean I don't really like make too many [00:24:00] things like physically, um, but. I always feel like my creativity is like in the thrift store where my friends and I just did like a gift exchange for the holidays or whatever, and I thought it was so funny. Yeah. Because all of our gifts were so us.

Um, like my one friend, like sewed us something and she's learning how to sew. And then my other friend like gave us this like custom like Blythe doll. I don't know if you know what Blythe dolls are. Um, no. No. Blyth doll. Um, here's mine. She customized it. Oh, that's so cute. Oh, that's really cute. These boots that I own, um, like custom painted them.

Oh, that's so cute. So her and then my other friend, like crafted something also for us and I gave like a thrift bundle and I was like, yeah, this is so us. Like of course I'm the one giving the thrift bundle. Yeah. 

raphaella: You like, this all makes sense. 

lexy: Yeah. And so when I'm like so cute drifting to someone or whatever, I'm like, that's where I cook and I'm [00:25:00] like.

I don't even know how to explain it. Like, I just go and I just am like, yeah, like you walk in, I'm like, 

raphaella: there's this, this, yeah, 

lexy: there's this. Like, I don't even really like look too often. I, I think that that's something that like, I used to give a, a hack about or whatever, where it was like literally go through every single thing.

I don't even do that anymore. I just like look in the general area of something and I'm like, this, 

raphaella: that's how I work too. I can't. Sit there and look through everything. I'm like, I'm not gonna like most of these things. I think I, I want something like, yeah, you see a pattern or a fabric you like, and you're like, Ooh, like this is good.

Yeah, 

lexy: yeah, yeah. Like, I don't know, I saw a TikTok about that or whatever, where it was like, like a. Uh, you know, oh my God, what are the levels where it's like an intermediate, uh, thrifter or whatever, and they're just like kind of walking around, like not even really looking at stuff. And then it was like, um, like a pro thrifter and they were like going through every rack.

And then it was like an expert Thrifter was like. Yes. And I was like, I was like, that's me at this point. Like relatable. [00:26:00] I don't even know how to explain it. Like I just, I cook like Yeah. Yeah. Um, and I feel like that's a lot of the creative process where it's like just collecting shit or like seeing what I'll, I'll like randomly have.

Stuff in my house too, where like randomly I'll get inspiration for Oh yeah, me too. Putting stuff on something or whatever. 

raphaella: Yeah. Yeah. 

lexy: Not something necessarily I do all the time, but also, I guess it's when I like build an outfit or something and I'm like, you know, this is this random thing that, my favorite example is there was this necklace that I got for.

Literally my dog. Mm-hmm. 'cause she's a little fashionista and I was like, that could be a really good choker. Yeah. And then I started all the time as a choker and I was like, this is literally meant for my dog, but I'm gonna, I 

raphaella: do stuff like that too. I literally, I have chains that I bought. That are supposed to go around dog's neck.

Yeah. And I'm like, this is cute. I like this. Like, I'll wear it on my neck or put it on my pants or something. Like, yeah. 

lexy: Yeah. So cute. I feel [00:27:00] 

sometimes it's 

cute, like I don't even know. Yeah. Um, but I think that that's like part of. Fun. Um, and so you're completely self-taught, as you said. Mm-hmm. Um, so what have been maybe some of the biggest challenges that you've run into when figuring out stuff and, and how do you kind of, I guess, overcome them?

raphaella: Uh, I think kind of like I said, I just, since I didn't go to school for that, I, like, sometimes I'm struggling with something and I don't know the term for it. And so I have a hard time trying to figure out. What's going wrong and how to like, find answers for it, because I'm just like, I know my, this, this thread, it keeps like getting stuck on the bottom.

I don't know, but I'm just like, I don't know what to look up. Like, I'm like, oh, this is a bobin. This is, this is, I'm like, okay. It is just, I guess that's made it a little bit harder, but Yeah. Yeah. I, I, with enough Googling, I'm like, all right, let's figure this out. 

lexy: Yeah. I mean, I think that [00:28:00] challenges are genuinely some of the most impart important part of like the creative process where it's just like figuring out what the hell to do.

I even think like, so stupid, but like when I, um, I studied abroad in Italy. Mm-hmm. I genuinely think part of my, like adulting or whatever, was figuring out how the hell to, like, my door lock wouldn't work and I didn't speak the language like, how do I figure out how to get this to work? Or like, I was in the grocery store and I didn't know what any of this stuff said, and my phone didn't have service so I couldn't translate it.

And so like genuinely being in the situations that are like, what the hell do I do teach you how I was thinking about this the other day, my like OCD brain. I was like, what? I was like, what do I do if I, I don't know. I was thinking of any bad thing that could happen if I was like driving or something and my car stopped working and my, I didn't have service, and I was like, what [00:29:00] do I do?

Like, what do I actually do? Um, you have to figure it out. Yeah. We don't have, you 

raphaella: don't have a choice. It's 

lexy: definitely like, you feel like extreme situations, but genuinely, this is where my brain will go, where I'm like. What do I do in that situation? And it's like you just have to figure it out. And I genuinely think once you figure it out that first time, it makes every other time so much easier.

And then like honestly, it's like such a like pat on the back that you were able to figure it out right on your own. Um, or use your resources to like make educated guesses or find the person that can help you the most with it. 

raphaella: Yeah. And that's what, like, the more you do it, the more you're gonna learn and the less like, I guess, mistakes you're gonna make with stuff you're familiar with.

Like obviously I still make mistakes, like, you know, but it, it is, it's just a lot of trial and error. A lot of trial and error. And it's also sometimes you mess up and you're like, wait, that was kind of cool. Like, yeah, it, it was like a fun mistake because it's like, I actually liked how this turned out and I wouldn't have done it.

Other, like, it was a, a mistake, but I'm like, oh, it looks cool. Like I'll do that again. 

lexy: A happy [00:30:00] mistake is a, yeah, Bob Ross would always say Exactly. Happy mistake. Yeah. But like, happy accident or something. There we go. Yeah. Something 

raphaella: like 

lexy: that. Um, but yeah, I am like genuinely, like I think that. Is what life is and like, that's what Absolutely.

Process is. And it's like, because my favorite example is always like, um,

sorry. That's okay. I, my boss texted me. Um, tactically I am clocked into my nine to five, so I just gotta keep an eye out. Mm-hmm. Um, but um. I think my favorite example is when I had my taxes. Oh my. My dad didn't tell me anything. He was just like, do your taxes, and I was, yeah. 

raphaella: And you're like, what? They make it really complicated too, and nothing is ever taught or explained to you every year.

I just, I have like a few days where I'm just like crashing out, trying to do my taxes and I'm like, you know what? I did the best I could. If they come for me, I'll be like, I, I 

lexy: don't know. I, I tried. I'm just a girl. Like, yeah, I, I [00:31:00] literally had no, I got thrown into the deep end. I had no idea what I was doing.

I like looked up some YouTube videos. I found some like Google Sheet that was like a guide that was supposed to help me with it. Mm-hmm. And I filled out all this information or whatever, and then I sent it to this like tax person and she was like, I don't have to use, I don't like, need half of this information.

And I was like, oh, great. I'm so glad you mentioned that to me after I like spent literally the entire day working on this. Thank you so much. Right. Um, so then I redid it. And then she was like, still, no, not right. And I was like, okay. And I redid it again. And then she was like, okay, like I can work with this.

And I was like, okay, cool. We'll take that. Yeah. And my dad was like, okay, great. Now that you've done that whole process, send it to your older brother so that he can do his taxes. And I was like, you're kidding. I did all of the hard work and he just gets to finalize. Like, no, here's what you're supposed to do.

And he's four years older than me. I was like, you're kidding? I was like, no. I'd be like, you know what? I 

raphaella: did it. The [00:32:00] responsible one. Oh man. Yeah. Taxes are not fun. They're very confusing. So I feel you every, every year. I'm like, oh God. 

lexy: So let's do it again. 

raphaella: And I still don't understand. I still dunno. 

lexy: We almost have to get around to doing that again.

I'm so excited. Yay. 

raphaella: I'm so happy you brought this up. Yeah, 

lexy: stop the to it Gotta keep you on edge. Um, so what would you say then to young artists who feel like they can't enter the fashion world without expensive schooling? 

raphaella: Um, I think you just have to change your mindset. Like there's, there's no rules.

That say you can't make fashion or with anything like, you know, it's, you can teach yourself and there's so many, like we talked about, like online resources. There's a lot of people that like are willing to answer questions and help you out too. So it's just like change your mindset and be like, the hardest thing is to start.

Just start, don't be afraid to [00:33:00] like fuck up and like don't know what you're doing. Nobody knows what they're doing. Mm-hmm. Genuinely, I don't know what I'm doing. Nobody knows. I think some people pretend they know what they're doing and like, or they think they know and I'm like, cool, I'll be the first to admit I don't know what I'm doing.

You just have to do it and yeah. Yeah. 

lexy: Yeah. I honestly think there are so many fields in the. I mean, I went to school, I mm-hmm. Loved my school. Had a great grand old time. But I think honestly, there are so many things in the creative world where you don't necessarily need to go to school. And I think that it's really awesome that, um, that like we, I don't know, live in 2025 and like have the ability to.

Still be employed and be creative and do what we want while not really needing that, like earlier education. 

Mm-hmm. 

And so, 

raphaella: yeah, 

lexy: I mean, 

raphaella: school, yeah, I mean I'm, I'm sure it's good to have like. I didn't, I just, I have a hard time sitting and learning like that in a traditional sense. I'm very hands-on and I'm [00:34:00] not saying like, school is bad or like, don't go to school.

Like if you genuinely, if you wanna go to any sort of art school or something, like do it. I think it's a really good base and you learn a lot of like technical things that you're otherwise gonna like, struggle with, but you also, you don't need it. And at the end of the day, it's art. Art can be anything.

It's subjective, like experiment. You know? Yeah, 

lexy: yeah. Literally. Um, like yeah, if you have and you want to go to school, totally go for it. If you, if you're able to, like, again, loved my experience, but I think I'm also the same way where it's like, even I noticed this in my like job where like we we're.

Transitioning to this like different website or something. And we went through this like crash course of how to do it. Mm. And I was 

like, 

I got finished with it and I told my boss, I was like, that was cool and all. But that was such a waste of time because genuinely I will not retain any of that until you need to like sit 

raphaella: there and 

lexy: I need to sit there and do it.

And if I run into a question, I'll go back and be like, and find the FAQ or whatever. Like that's, [00:35:00] yeah. Um. But yeah, that's, I agree. That's 

raphaella: also 

lexy: how I learn. 

raphaella: I'm like, lemme, lemme try. Lemme figure it out. Lemme do hands on. Like, yeah. Yeah, 

lexy: exactly. Um, well, what are your top tips I always like to end my podcast with.

What are your top tips for someone who's just starting their journey to a more sustainable lifestyle? Um, 

raphaella: I guess it's just. Educating yourself. Whether it, it, like I said, I find it really easy. I have a lot of friends that are like, we always, we always say like, oh, they're, they're like, I'm eco. I'm eco.

Yeah. And I mean, I can't say that I, like, I am perfect eco-conscious queen with everything like it's. The, the system is not set up to do this. So it is inconvenient, unfortunately, but it's just like applying like small habits that are, I mean, not like sustainable in both senses of the word, where it's just like something that you can like start incorporating in your like day to day and then maybe adding more like [00:36:00] habits and stuff, um, that.

Are are more sustainable. And you also, we have to remember, like you, you have to give yourself grace. I think a lot of people like get down on themselves. They're like, I could be doing more. I could be doing more. And it's like, yeah, we could, we could all be doing more. It's just like taking like small steps and realizing like as long as you're trying, like, I think that's, that's great.

And you're like aware of it and, yeah. Yeah. 

lexy: Yeah, I agree. I think that every little step we make is important. I always use this as an example, but I think it's justified where it's like, I remember when I was in. Um, school, the, we would see like a cartoon where it was like, oh, I don't need to vote. And it was one guy and he was like, oh, yeah, need to vote.

And then it was like, okay, everyone, alien people are saying that they don't need to vote. And so if you think about that when it's like, oh, it's just [00:37:00] one white t-shirt from Sheen or whatever, but then like, what if everybody's doing it? 3 million people are saying that. It's like, hmm. Well. It does have an impact, right?

Yeah, absolutely. That's how I like to think about things and I think that I was just having this conversation with my brother and he was like, like there, there's, I think what, I forget what the example, there's like a company in Australia that basically amids like all of the carpet emissions that, I don't know, I don't remember the exact like stat or whatever.

Mm-hmm. 

But like all of the carbon emissions that America emits in like a day, like, I don't know, China emits in like an hour. That's not a true thing. Yeah. Yeah. That's not like Exactly. That's, see, don't put me on record saying that, but like, that's, don't quote me. Don't quote me. Um, but that's like what it was along some basis of that or whatever.

Mm-hmm. Um, and I was like, I think there's a lot of things that. Are scary when you think about like that. Like that. But when you just [00:38:00] think, what can I do? Where can I spread the word? Like how can this action mean something like that's what's important. 

raphaella: Exactly. It starts with you. It starts with your community.

'cause there are a lot of big scary things like you mentioned like that where just there they feel like so out of your control and you're like, oh, that's fucked up. It's scary, but it's just like, yeah. Focus also. I mean, there are ways to change it, but it's, it's not gonna be as easy as if you start like you have to start at home.

You have to start with your community, you know? 

lexy: Yeah, exactly. Well, thank you so much. This has been amazing. Um, yes, thank you for having 

raphaella: me. 

lexy: Yeah, you're awesome. Um, that's the end of the podcast. Oh, wait, no, I'm just kidding. People find you on social media. My bad. 

raphaella: Um, my Instagram is Rafael Lago.

R-A-P-H-A-E-L-L-A-G-O-D-O-Y. I think my TikTok is like also Rafaela and then [00:39:00] NYC. And then, I don't know, I think maybe that's it. I think I have a Pinterest, but I don't know the name. Something, one of those. It's also one of those. Perfect. Well, awesome. 

lexy: Well. Everyone go check her out there. Thank you so much for coming on and chatting with me today.

While you're at it, you can follow me on my social is my Instagram, TikTok and YouTuber on my name at Lexi Silverstein.

That's LEXY. So for color, S-T-E-I-N. And remember to live a good life and look fucking good doing it,