Gabriel Feliú

The Mob Studios gets its name from the idea of creating a collective where a bunch of artists, like photographers and designers, come together and work under one name. That’s why I decided to call it the Mob. My creative process is pretty chaotic. I honestly just let thoughts come to my mind and go with them as they arise. I’ve learned over time that as soon as I get an idea, I write it down or make a sketch because inspiration often comes in the most random places. It almost never happens when I'm sitting down in my workspace, trying to sketch out a design. For example, I could be at the mall, at the park, or at the beach. I could be anywhere and possibly see someone wearing something interesting or styled or layered in a unique way, and I get inspiration from that.

Aside from that, I also gain a lot of inspiration from nature, especially when it comes to color combinations and the silhouettes and cuts I use in my designs. A lot of it comes from plants and insects. I find insects fascinating. I know they can be gross, but it’s also interesting to find beauty in something often perceived as disgusting. When it comes to sourcing my materials, I have certain criteria. I like to work with fabrics that are durable. If I’m reworking something, it makes me happy to notice that this is a garment that has had a long life. One of the things I consider is that if the garment has made it to this point, it’s likely a durable material to rework. Additionally, when I’m acquiring fabrics, I look for materials that are durable, resistant to washing, or have long-lasting durability.

Okay, so this question gives me a little doubt. But let’s just say that I do think my reworks dwell in the realm of art, culture, and politics. Sustainability has a lot to do with politics. There’s a lot we, as a community or citizens, can do to improve our impact on the world and be sustainable, but much of it relies on politics and the government taking action. So yes, I would say that reworking fits into that. It’s also interesting to see how sustainability has woven into our culture. I feel like we’re all much more aware of it now than when I began creating four years ago. Back then, sustainability wasn’t a constant topic of conversation. Now, it feels like people are more aware, and it’s a topic of discussion.

When it comes to art and fashion, I love creating unique garments, and the fact that some of them are made using what you might consider trash is, to me, a form of art. Being able to transform trash into something beautiful is incredibly rewarding. My thoughts on sustainability internationally are that it still has a long way to go. While we are more aware now of our impact, a significant portion of the population is still unaware, and there’s another part that just doesn’t care.

It makes me very excited to see that the fashion scene in Puerto Rico is evolving. It still has a long way to go, but it’s taking its baby steps. I’m thrilled to see other creators emerging in Puerto Rico, creating their own unique styles, and bringing something different to the table. I feel like that’s what we need the most. Here in Puerto Rico, the same designers keep getting highlighted over and over, but they’re honestly not bringing innovation to the table. There are a lot of underdogs on the island who are really putting in the work, so I would say to look into that.