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We sat down with Chantal Romaguera, administrative assistant in the operations department.
Tell us about your role at Blowfish Malibu.
I’m an administrative assistant for the operations department. I primarily work with production and making sure the product is ordered correctly, registered with vegan, labeled, and transported safely from China to the U.S.
When did you first become interested in Production?
I first became interest in production when I started attending L.A. fashion week. All the different and unique styles from the clothing down to the shoes caught my attention and made me interested in the production side of the industry.
What did you do previously before joining the Blowfish Malibu team?
Human Resource for Senior Living Housing
What do you like most about working in the fashion industry?
I like how fashion can change how a person feels about themselves. It provides room for self-expression, creativity, and growth.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is being able to catch a glimpse of the new trends in designs before they hit the stores and then seeing people wear our shoes. It is a very proud moment for me. I feel grateful to be part of awesome team like Blowfish Malibu.
The Blowfish Malibu offices are in LA. What’s your favorite thing about the city?
I like the diversity that L.A. offers and its functionality – you can do almost anything in this city!
Which is your favorite pair of Blowfish Malibu shoes?
I have two favorite shoes which are Raco booties and Mazaki sneaker.
What advice would you have for someone who’s trying to pursue the same career as you?
Keep going forwarding even in doubt. Don’t stop striving for more. Just try again. Be patience and kind with yourself.
What was the last thing you were obsessed with?
Tiny houses and how it can aid with the homing crisis. They can providing temporary housing and mental health solutions, which could help many.
Where are you from and how has that shaped you?
Los Angeles! Being from L.A. has shaped me by teaching me how to be independent and resourceful.
What’s your dream travel destination?
I would like to backpack around Europe.
If you could have lunch with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
My power house trio women: Cher, Bette Midler, and Billie Holiday
When do you feel best about yourself?
After a nice hike or swim, then I’ll usually go straight to have breakfast and coffee 🙂
What’s your personal motto?
I have two:
What’s a fun fact about you most people don’t know?
I am learning to play the ukulele and banjolele.
I learn the most from: Trial and Error
I can’t live without: Music, Coffee, and Dessert
You can find me shopping at: Local business
My astrological sign is: Leo
The last book I read was: : The four agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Most people would say I’m: A self-advocate, resilient, hardworking, and caring
I’m currently listening to: You’re on (feat. Kyan) Madeon
My style mantra is: Street, tomboy, sporty, and bohemian
I feel most comfortable: Wearing huge sweater/ pull overs and listening to music
When I woke up today I felt: I felt peaceful, focus, and ready
Most people don’t know: I am very dorky and shy
I feel the best when: In nature and meditating or writing
Follow Blowfish Malibu on Instagram and check out more stories on the Journal.
Get to know Blowfish Malibu Art Director, Nikol Drapeau (Macias)!
Welcome to the Blowfish Malibu Spotlight, a new feature on the Journal! We’ll be spending some time each month talking with different members of our team and giving readers a little bit of insight into what each person does in the office every day.
Tell us about your position at Blowfish Malibu.
I am the Art Director here at Blowfish Malibu! Which means I’m the lead graphic designer, producer of our photoshoots, and oversee most artwork that goes out. My role recently went to part-time, as I just became a mommy!
When did you first become interested in graphic design?
My mom has always had a knack for creativity and we would always scrapbook or be doing something creative growing up. In my senior year of high school, I was on the yearbook committee and my school actually offered a graphic design class that I took and really found my passion!
So random, but after I graduated college with my bachelor’s degree in graphic design, I moved to the South Bay and got a job at a dental office. It started as a front desk position and then quickly moved to me developing their social media channels and updating all of their branding and marketing. I stayed there for three years and then decided that wasn’t for me. So I started freelancing for myself and at an agency and shortly after, found my home with Blowfish Malibu!
I’ve been here for five years now!
Working at Blowfish Malibu was my first job in the fashion industry (not including retail!), but it’s really made me step up my fashion game and makes me want to dress for my personality and not just wake up and throw on whatever I can find that’s clean and run out the house.
I’ve never owned so many shoes in my life!
The creative outlet that I get to express when designing things like hang tags, email blasts, brochures for customers or store posters! We’ve worked hard over the past five years to create a cohesive look and feel for the brand and it’s exciting getting to implement that in my design. It’s also really cool to walk into a store and see my work being displayed!
I live in the Southbay, which is a little sub-city of LA that has a slower, beach-like feel. But I love that LA is only a 20-minute drive (with traffic, more like 45 mins) and that there is so much near us. You can go to the beach, take a hike up to a waterfall, and have a drink on a rooftop overlooking the city all in one day.
I gotta say my Granola-B sandals! Every year since they have come out I have had a Granola tan line on my feet! You can ask anyone in our office. It never fails! They are so comfy and come in so many color variations for every outfit. Plus living in SoCal means I can get away with wearing sandals almost year-round!
I have a ton of side projects/creative outlets that I do aside from my graphic designer life! I love the wedding industry and have coordinated a handful of weddings. My husband and I have even talked about buying a property where we host weddings, and I coordinate and design the look and feel. I have experience in event management and this really has helped me with weddings.
I also love photography and could see myself pursuing that more seriously.
In addition, I even love to buy old furniture and give it new life. My husband and I have also joked about starting a business doing this!
My 6-month-old daughter! Haha – still obsessed and forever will be!
I’m born and raised in California! I grew up in a town called Palmdale (some of you may know it from the popular song by Afroman). It’s a desert city with not a lot to do. I learned a lot growing up there and also knew I never wanted to live in a desert ever again. So as soon as I graduated high school I moved to San Diego, where I attended college and have been living by a beach ever since!
Oh, way TOO many places to be listed here! I’ve only been to Europe once and I went to Italy, so I’d love to return to visit more places like Paris, Greece, and Amsterdam. I’ve always wanted to go on a safari in Africa. Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand are on my top bucket list places to visit.
Basically, I want to travel the world someday! I always say I’m not a materialistic person and would rather spend my earnings on experiences and building memories.
Probably when my to-do list is complete. This just makes me feel accomplished and feels good to not be stressing over all that I have to do.
“Risk it all every day.” I even have it tattooed on me.
For me, this means that you never know when your last day will be and to live each and every day to its fullest. Don’t turn things down that scare you or challenge you!
This is a hard one for me to answer. I’m an open book, even with strangers I don’t tend to hold back!
I learn the most from my environment.
I can’t live without sweets.
You can find me shopping at Old Navy, BooHoo.com, Blowfish Malibu (hehe), Hobby Lobby.
My astrological sign is Scorpio.
I’m not scared of snakes! I used to have one for about 6 years until I moved in with my now-husband (who’s deathly afraid!).
The last book I read was The Client by John Grisham.
Most people would say I’m caring.
I’m currently listening to Lennon Stella.
My style mantra is comfy.
I feel most comfortable in jeans and a cute top with sandals.
When I woke up today I felt thankful for my amazing life.
I feel the freest when I’m in the comfort of my own house.
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Follow Blowfish Malibu on Instagram and check out more stories on the Journal.
