WHAT DO YOU THINK WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD?

My parents were meditators and owned a small auto shop. I spent a lot of time around cars and motorcycles while my Dad repaired them and Mom cleaned them, I think all the fumes went to my head.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO THE FASHION/CREATIVE INDUSTRY?

I was living in the U.K. and at seventeen, I decided to be homeschooled so that I could pursue dance and performing arts. After completing an intensive performing arts program, I got the opportunity to work in fashion design at a popular brand in London and my creative path changed.

SO, YOU WERE A TEENAGER WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY BEFORE YOU RECEIVED A DEGREE?

Yes — I was eager to get my foot in the game.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE INTERNSHIP?

British Vogue. I remember when I got my acceptance letter — I think I still have it framed somewhere! 

WHEN DID YOU MOVE TO NEW YORK? 

I signed a contract to be a Junior Art Director at an agency straight out of college, but it fell through. Still, I decided to make the move with no job and no backup plan. I scraped by working a retail job for six months before I got a call from another agency. 

WHAT ADVICE DID YOU RECEIVE EARLY ON THAT LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON YOU?

To only stay in New York if you have a purpose, otherwise live somewhere less brutal. Not really advice, but I like a challenge. So, if anything, it just made me more motivated.

WHAT’S ONE OF YOUR CRAZIEST WORK MEMORIES?

One time, I was supervised by the police while I packed up my desk because the agency was going bankrupt. Turns out, you have to pay people.

TELL ME YOU’RE KIDDING…  

Hardly. I was worried about money, so my best friend and I moved into one room in a three bedroom apartment with two other roommates so we could afford living. We would literally split a quiche from Trader Joe’s for dinner, but they were some of the best times.

WAS THERE EVER A JOB YOU REALLY WANTED BUT DIDN’T GET?

I was in the final casting stages for a TV show on a streaming platform that focused on fashion, beauty and interiors. I thought I had it in the bag, but I guess you’ll have to wait a little longer for my big screen debut.

WOULD YOU SAY REJECTION IS THE HARDEST PART OF WORKING IN CREATIVE INDUSTRIES? 

No. For me, it’s when a project that you have poured your heart and soul into doesn’t go into production for whatever reason. That’s heartbreaking.

HOW DO YOU COPE?

I cry in the bath religiously. Highly recommend it.

SO, WHAT DRIVES YOU TO KEEP GOAL-CHASING AND CREATING?

I’m a double Leo. Heartbreak is like throwing gasoline on my fire.

SOUNDS INTENSE…

Yeah, don’t break my heart. Or do…

IS HEARTBREAK JUST PART OF THE PROCESS?

When I say heartbreak, I don’t just mean romantically. The disappointment over an unrealized story ignites my fire to continue being inspired and pursue new ideas. You’re only ever as good as your last project, as the saying goes. 

WHAT’S THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A CREATIVE?

When your vision becomes a reality. It’s a feeling you can’t really match.

ANY STORIES FOR THE BOOKS?

Waiting six hours on the tarmac for a snowstorm to pass so I could fly to Denmark and design for a Danish fashion magazine. I almost got off the plane, but I wanted the cover for my book.

WHAT CAN YOU NEVER HAVE ENOUGH OF?

Jeans, crop tops, and grey hoodies. Back when I was making very little money and couldn’t  afford to spend a lot on clothes, I made it my mission to have the best-fitting jeans and t-shirts. I worked for Jenna Lyons, and she once told me I was the girl with the perfect jeans and black top.

IS THAT YOUR UNIFORM?

Yes. No matter what I tried, trends never worked for me. Even when I started making more money, I realized that I didn’t really need more stuff. I’m forever just a girl with big dreams in a crop top and jeans. 😉

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE SAYING?

Whether it’s personal or professional, lead with grace and leave with grace.

YOU’VE WORKED BOTH IN-HOUSE AND ON THE AGENCY SIDE—WHAT IS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM?

Both require stamina and Xanax, and I wouldn’t recommend either. JK! Honestly, the main difference is that one has more office politics than the other.

WHAT SKILLS DID YOU LEARN WORKING IN BOTH ENVIRONMENTS? 

Agencies train you on high-level concepting and branding with an improvement-oriented mindset. In-house teaches you how to execute at a faster pace. There are more projects in rotation at any given time, so you roll with the punches and move on quickly. Unless you’re like me, crying in the bath (lol).

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT PEOPLE WHO WORK IN CREATIVE INDUSTRIES?

That we’re all inherently cool. I mean, I have “cool” friends… but I’m not a “cool” person. I can hardly smoke one cigarette at a time, let alone two!

WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?

HOT GIRLS ROT. 

GO-TO SELF CARE ROUTINE?

Candle light.

HAS THERE EVER BEEN A TIME WHERE YOU FELT IN OVER YOUR HEAD?

There was a summer residency course at SVA that had some of the best typographers as tutors, including Tobias Fere-Jones. So naturally, I signed up, but without any idea of what I was getting myself into. People from all over the world came to develop their skills and create a typeface from scratch, while I had no prior knowledge on type design or how to use the software. In hindsight, it was one of the best decisions I ever made though. Now, I can’t even look at everyday signage without wanting to fix the kerning.

WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST TO THOSE LOOKING TO BUILD A CAREER IN CREATIVE INDUSTRIES? 

Do things that intimidate you — it will help build your confidence. And get comfortable with being uncomfortable, because the ride isn’t in first class.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR CREATIVE POINT-OF-VIEW?

I always joke that I’m saving the world one handbag at a time. I like things that have a sense of humor, while still being sexy and cool—we aren’t saving lives and it’s not that serious.

A SONG THAT SPARKS ONE OF YOUR BEST MEMORIES?

“I love you” by Celine Dion. It brings back road trips with my Mom in the ’90s… singing as Celine belts out of the car speakers… wind in your hair… you know the feeling…

NO, NO I DON’T KNOW THE FEELING. MAYBE YOU CAN REENACT IT FOR ME SO I CAN? 

Stay tuned.

LAST QUESTION: IS YOUR NAME REALLY LADI DA?

It is… my parents were total hippies! But my friends call me Ladi.