Located in Temescal Alley, Mira Flores combines a fashion line, vintage store, and embroidery service, showcasing traditional craftsmanship and sustainability under the direction of Sam Saavedra.
In the vibrant Temescal Alley of Oakland, California, Mira Flores has emerged as a multifaceted fashion line, vintage store, and embroidery service shop, all creatively directed by Sam Saavedra. The establishment represents a culmination of years dedicated to craftsmanship and passion, reflecting Saavedra’s long-standing affinity for embroidery. “It started with embroidery,” Saavedra remarked, emphasizing her deep connection to the craft. “Chain stitch embroidery is my heart, my craft. I love it.”
Operating on a historic 120-year-old embroidery machine, Saavedra infuses her creations with a level of detail that mirrors traditional tattoo artistry. Her designs range from intricate landscapes and floral motifs to stylized fonts. “It’s kind of like tattooing on clothes,” she explained. The garments produced at Mira Flores are designed in Oakland but made in Peru, Saavedra’s homeland, where she derived much of her creative inspiration.
Saavedra grew up in Lima, specifically in a neighborhood called Miraflores, which lent its name to her shop. She shared, “The textile industry in Peru and going to the Garment District at seventeen and just seeing buttons and fabric and what we could make, it was really cool.” After relocating to the United States at the age of 20 to pursue higher education, she subsequently secured a position at Levi’s. This experience opened her eyes to the possibilities within the fashion industry and set her on her current path.
The motivations behind Saavedra’s entrepreneurial journey are closely tied to the influential women in her life. “What inspired me the most are the women that I grew up with,” she stated. Citing her mother, who worked diligently as a single parent, and her grandmothers, who were known for their resilience, Saavedra notes their unwavering belief in the power of hard work as a significant driving force in her journey.
Over the past three years, Mira Flores has transformed from a passion project into a burgeoning brand, allowing Saavedra to expand her venture into a brick-and-mortar location. “I went from only doing what people asked me to for them to creating one-of-a-kind pieces that are waiting to be sold,” she highlighted. The store now features a variety of items, including jackets and custom cut-and-sew pieces.
Beyond her own creations, the shop also showcases the work of seven different vendors, each contributing distinct styles and influences to the overall experience of Mira Flores. Saavedra places particular emphasis on sustainability, stating, “The whole purpose of the shop is we want you to give second life to your clothes.” She encourages the practice of up-cycling, believing that repairing and customizing garments adds character and personality to clothing.
As Saavedra continues to navigate her journey in entrepreneurship, she aspires to inspire other women to pursue their own dreams. “I didn’t let anybody tell me, ‘are you sure? Maybe you should do this first,'” she recalled, conveying her determination to overcome challenges. Her parting advice reflects her philosophy on creativity: “Not everything you make is a masterpiece, and sometimes you have to go back to having fun with what you’re making to then create that next big thing that people are going to love.”
For more information about Mira Flores, interested individuals can access the shop’s offerings online.
Source: Noah Wire Services
