Creative Spotlight: Carla
Carla Candela is a Toronto based stylist, content creator and producer. We picked Carla’s brain to learn about where her inspiration comes from and the difficulties she encounters being a creative in her field.
Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from all over. I don’t strictly stick to fashion and clothing to feel inspired. For me getting out and interacting with the world plays a huge part in inspiring me (which has forced me to get creative with that during COVID). Everything from music, to books, podcasts, photography, makeup, travel, and human interactions contribute to my creativity and translating it into the way I choose to dress my clients or approach projects. My late grandfather used to be a tailor, so looking through his old books and sewing references made me appreciate the craftsmanship of this industry. It will always be my foundation, but at the core of why I decide to execute an idea comes from everything that I experience in life.
Creativity is really a part of who I am, so to not be creative seems unnatural and unfamiliar to me.
Photography by ArmanSaturday
What is the most difficult part of being creative in your field?
Fashion specifically has a lot of repetition. You see things appear on the runway but then repeated over and over again by fast fashion brands that sometimes leave you feeling sick of a trend or concept before even trying it. That mixed with the pressure to “get to an idea first” or “doing it first” altogether is an unhealthy approach to creativity but the pressure of this field at times. I sometimes find myself in this trap but I’ve intentionally tried to shift this perspective because the main reason why I love clothing and being creative with it is that there are so many interpretations of fashion and how to dress. It’s what makes this industry so beautiful. This challenges me to think differently and not let my insecurities hinder the possibilities of great work.
What does creativity do for your brain?
Creativity is really a part of who I am, so to not be creative seems unnatural and unfamiliar to me. It’s always been my main outlet in expressing myself. Also, creativity makes me happy. It’s as simple as that. I’ve seen my parents sacrifice what they love to do to put food on the table, and feel a responsibility to myself and them to prioritize my happiness and fill my days with something that truly fulfills me, challenges me, and teaches me everyday. I’ve made more money in other jobs, I still have debt, I live at home, and half the time I’m just figuring it out as I go, but being in a field that lets me be as creative as I want to be confirms that this is what I should be doing right now.
Follow @CarlaCStylist for all her creative work.