Interview With Lucía Ruiz de Aguirre
Learn more about her journey as a designer and get the insider scoop about Lalura, her latest project.
Lucía Ruiz de Aguirre is a prolific knitwear designer and knitting instructor, renowned as a visionary and pioneer in the Spanish knitting scene. Known for her endless creativity and elegant style, Lucía's passion for knitting is evident in her creations, which vividly showcase her craft. She is the author of numerous pattern books in English and Spanish, and her work has been featured in prominent publications. Additionally, she is an entrepreneur and has recently launched a new brand called Lalura.
KnitLeaks spoke to Lucía to learn more about her journey as a designer and get the insider scoop about Lalura.
1. Could you please give us a brief introduction of yourself?
My name is Lucía Ruiz de Aguirre, although many people know me by my Instagram nickname, @luymou, and I live in A Coruña, a city in the north of Spain that faces the Atlantic.
2. How did you get into knitting?
In 2012, I started crocheting, thinking that handmade garments were going to become fashionable, and the truth is that I was not wrong, but that happened 10 years later.
Along the way, I realized that teaching was what I had to do to survive, and that's how "Como Molo" emerged, the first workshop store in Galicia dedicated to DIY and specialized in sewing and crochet.
In 2015, I learned how to knit, I became professional, took courses, learned pattern making and began to publish patterns. The first one, the Ola Shawl, is still knitted by many knitters today.
3. How did you become a knitwear designer?
In 2018, I published my first book, "Punto y Aparte,” which meant a before and after in my professional career and after which many other titles have come that you can find on my website and in haberdasheries and yarn shops in Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom or Chile.
I have managed to reach specialized publications around the world with my designs, such as Koel, Laine Magazine, or those of brands in the sector such as Casasol, Regia, Hedgehog Fibres, LITLG, Schachenmayr or Rowan. I have also participated as a trainer in international festivals such as the Barcelona Knits Festival or Sevilla Teje.
In addition to my work as a designer, I work as an independent advisor to companies in the sector. To help them implement and consolidate products or carry out a complete strategy from scratch, in companies which, in addition to my help in the implementation and consolidation of the product, I have designed the color cards of their qualities and worked on creating designs. Likewise, I actively collaborate with different companies in marketing and communication tasks.
As you will see, the world of knitting has become not only my livelihood but my way of life. Nowadays, I wouldn't understand a day without knitting or a house without yarn everywhere. I wouldn't understand living without yarn skeins or talking all the time about patterns, shapes, finishes...
4. What is your daily working routine like?
I'm a big sleeper, so I don't get up very early. I have breakfast with my partner and accompany him to work. Then, I take some time to walk and exercise while I plan out my day.
I work with a team of 6 people, so my usual routine involves getting everyone started and checking on their tasks, doubts, or any problems they may have encountered the previous day to resolve everything and set the goals for the day.
Most of my time is spent on the computer because, contrary to what it might seem, my work involves a lot of computer work every day: writing patterns, approving technical editor's corrections, making the modifications needed by the knitting team, retouching photographs, preparing various strategies for social media, launching patterns, and garments.
And finally, if everything goes well, I have some time for knitting, usually just samples, because knitting entire garments would be impossible. I don't have any more time for knitting than any other person with a job outside the home. But on weekends, I knit everything I couldn't during the week!
5. Where does your inspiration come from?
I studied architecture, and I believe it has deeply influenced my approach to design. I often say that I don't have inspiration, but that's not entirely true. I enjoy playing with geometric shapes and simplifying complex things. I like creating patterns that are very accessible yet have touches that make learning from them enjoyable.
As I walk, I constantly observe small details of buildings, how people use garments, how they combine them, and even how they knit them. All of this makes me reflect a lot on what and how to design.
6. How do your past professional experiences influence your work as a knitwear designer?
As I mentioned earlier, my background in architecture has greatly influenced my experience as a designer, sometimes more in how to construct garments rather than in the complexity of the patterns themselves.
Additionally, I worked for 4 years as a clothing designer, where I learned a great deal about pattern-making and how garments should fit. I can confidently say that I apply this knowledge to knitting, and my garments usually fit well.
Moreover, teaching has been a lifelong passion of mine, and as someone who enjoys teaching, I strive to make my patterns very easy to read and knit.
7. What is Lalura? How did you come up with the idea for the brand?
Lalura is a dream. As I mentioned, there was a time in my life when I was dedicated to fashion, and the truth is that I had to close due to certain circumstances, so I always had the lingering feeling of not being able to carry out my project.
A few months ago, I decided to try again, but this time with knitted garments, leveraging all the knowledge I have gained since I first held a skein of yarn in my hands back in 2012. I was fortunate enough to join a textile company acceleration program with Roberto Verino's team, a renowned Spanish designer and entrepreneur. From there, I developed the entire brand and company, and as of a few days ago, the first collection of garments.
8. Can you tell us a bit about Lalura's first collection?
The first Lalura collection evokes everything I am as a starting point. It's a collection of timeless basics, with excellent pattern-making and craftsmanship, using luxury yarns.
For the first collection, I wanted to offer garments that will never go out of style, that are timeless. However, I also wanted them to have colors that represent something important to me. So, I chose the colors of the two cities that have made me happiest: A Coruña and Porto.
9. Do you have any other exciting new projects coming up in 2024?
Life has taught me not to set projects with very long timelines because things can change, and you have to adapt! For example, Lalura was a project at some point in my life, and in the end, it came to fruition in just over two months.
So yes, I have wonderful projects for this year. The main focus is to release the flagship Lalura collection for the fall-winter season, which we are already working on. Additionally, I believe I'll be able to publish my eighth book if all goes well. As for everything else, I'll let life surprise me!
Be sure to follow Lucía on Instagram to keep up with her latest work. And if you want to read more interviews, click here.
—written by Pris Lopes
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