OUR STORY

It all started when…

Chicana fashion designer, Claudia Rodríguez-Biezunski, was introduced to sewing at a very young age by her immigrant parents. Claudia’s father owned a denim factory in San Fernando, CA, and her stay-at-home mother sewed all the clothing for Claudia and her two brothers and three sisters.

Once she started sewing, she couldn’t stop. She created one-of-a-kind handbags and other accessories for her friends and family. Some kids would tease and call her “abuelita” (or grandma) – but the name-calling only motivated her to work harder and improve her skills.

Claudia’s journey to making her own clothes unfurled by finding cheap (sometimes zero cost) ways to be completely unique.

“Making your own clothes is a way to have endless creativity and challenge ways you can express yourself,” Rodríguez-Biezunski said.

At 25, Claudia decided to leave her job as a receptionist and move to San Diego in order to pursue her dream of operating a sewing studio.

Despite being discouraged from pursuing a creative career by her family, Claudia made the best decision of her life.

In 2013, she opened a sewing studio named Sew Loka. As a Mexican-American female business owner, Claudia is breaking down barriers, blurring societal norms and proudly welcoming BIPOC and underserved communities through affordable, edgy, and upcycled handmade goods.

Her goal is to be 100% sustainable by July 2021.

Today, you will find Claudia sewing one-of-a-kind clothing & accessories using reclaimed fabrics for women and men in the vibrant neighborhood of Barrio Logan in San Diego, CA.