Today we had an amazing interview with @joshillustrates on instagram! Josh is a Latin Fashion Illustrator and Communicator. We are glad to share this interview with you.
How did the brand Doble Infinito come about?
Doble Infinito was born in 2017 while I was in the last semester of my master’s in Fashion and Marketing at Anáhuac University. Before starting to finish my master’s, my father had just passed away, and I felt a bit sad and lost. However, on social media, I found an in-person workshop to learn how to design rapports and illustrations on textiles using various manual and computer techniques. Without hesitation, I enrolled in this course to focus on something new, distract myself, and acquire a new skill. As a result of this workshop, I started designing my first pieces, which eventually led to the design of scarves featuring the Mexican motif of “Pepitorias,” hand-drawing these traditional Mexican sweets made of wafers with seeds and honey from Hidalgo. I didn’t know if I would commercialize them and start a brand, but when I showed my latest creation and saw the reaction of friends and family, I decided to start my own brand and personal project.
What does the name Doble Infinito mean?
Doble Infinito literally means twice infinity; if infinity has no end, double could be interpreted as double without end. This “Double Infinity” comes from a phrase I used to say to my parents when I was little… That I loved them from double infinity to beyond, a love that lasts forever and remains over time.
Who is behind Doble Infinito? Can you give me a brief overview of who you are?
Sure, I am the designer and creator behind Doble Infinito. I studied graphic design for my bachelor’s degree, but I have always loved fashion as a means of expression. I studied Marketing and Communication in the Higher University Course at ELLE Education and the Complutense University of Madrid in 2012, a couple of years after I graduated with my bachelor’s degree. I continued to feed that need to learn more about fashion and everything surrounding it. I also studied cool hunting at CENTRO and took a diploma in Visual Merchandising at Jannette Klein. Three years later, I entered the Master’s in Fashion and Marketing at Anáhuac and finished with a Specialization in Digital Marketing from Condé Nast College. I also dedicated myself to teaching for four years at Jannette Klein University in the marketing and advertising area. During the master’s, I had the opportunity to collaborate and work with Mexican fashion brands such as Yakampot, Arroz Con Leche, and Lydia Lavin. Regarding personal projects, I had a fashion blog many years ago that earned me international recognition from the MFIT in New York in the Global Fashion Bloggers exhibition, representing Mexico alongside greats like The Sartorialist, Diane Pernet, and others.
Behind Doble Infinito are also the hands of the people at the Atelier who help shape the collections and support us in the workshop to develop the tote bags. It is very important for me to give them the recognition they deserve, and this year we participated in Fashion Revolution with a mini-campaign called “Who Made Your Tote Bag?” in which Juanita and Caro from our Atelier team participated, thanking them for their support in developing our collections.
What materials are your tote bags made of, and where are they produced?
The tote bags are entirely produced in Mexico City and are made of denim. All the illustrations are hand-drawn by me, using a process that involves mixed techniques of pencil, chart packs (gasoline markers), and ink.
What does “From one corner of Mexico, to one corner of the World” mean?
“From one corner of Mexico, to one corner of the world” is part of our brand’s DNA. What I was trying to communicate is this sense of belonging, that you can take a little piece of Mexico with you wherever you go with our accessories. And if you are Mexican and live abroad, to convey this pride of being Mexican wherever you go. For Doble Infinito, fashion is a celebration of our culture, heritage, and creativity. We embrace our vibrant traditions and fuse them with modern aesthetics to create a unique and authentic style that reflects our identity.
Why is the concept of slow fashion important to you?
For me, it is about highlighting the aspect of responsible consumption and the quality of our products. Also, this unique value that author brands have and not falling into fast fashion. At the same time, we design small collections, and in some cases, they are limited editions that will not be reproduced again. We have also had requests from very loyal customers seeking a specially commissioned tote bag or a very limited run.
Can you tell me about the collaborations you have had with other fashion ventures?
This year, we collaborated with the Mexican brand Murila, which designs sustainable and timeless clothing for women. Murila represented Mexico at Uruguay Fashion Week a few months ago, where they presented their latest collection called “SIUAJ” about Teotihuacan culture. For this collection, I made designs and illustrations of Teotihuacan motifs for some garments presented on the runway, and it was a very lovely collaboration. I firmly believe in the synergy of my brand collaborating with other brands to create a movement of valuing Mexican design for the world.
At Doble Infinito, we believe that Mexican fashion transcends borders, captivating the world with its authenticity and creativity. We like to share our designs and culture through a global narrative, contributing to global fashion while celebrating our Mexican roots.
Can you tell me five things you have learned about having your brand that you didn’t know when you started your project?
- Have a lot of patience and trust the process. Developing a brand is not easy.
- Believe in myself; if I don’t, no one else will.
- There will be other brands in the competition, but the most important thing is what your brand and design make your consumer feel.
- User Generated Content is more relevant than paid advertising; we don’t pay for Meta ads and love to share this UGC from our customers and followers on our contact points (Social Media and Website). We tell stories!
- There are no silly ideas; you never know unless you try, and I promise it’s the beginning of something great.
What does creativity mean to you?
For me, creativity is everything and plays a very important role in our collections and their creative process. Whether in personal collections or collections that speak about my country, our designs are a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns, mostly inspired by Mexico. In the landscapes, folklore, intrinsic motifs that bring accessories to life. Through creativity, we keep pushing paradigms and mixing traditional elements with contemporary designs.
How would you describe the possibilities and versatility of Doble Infinito’s products?
Our designs are timeless, and in the case of the tote bags, a very important differentiator is the quality and design because they can withstand a lot of weight and are quite large and spacious. They also feature an application that helps you not lose your keys inside the tote bag and identify and retrieve them quickly. The tote bags are gender-neutral, so everyone can use them; we promote inclusivity represented in our designs. On the exterior, you can find a special illustration, such as our special edition collection of “Pan de Muerto,” or our phrase “From One Corner of Mexico, to One Corner of the World.”
Can you share an experience with a customer that makes you proud of Doble Infinito?
There are several, but I think one of my favorite stories is the love between a mother and her son and how this took us to Prague Fashion Week, something I had never imagined… One morning, I woke up and received two incredible images from Prague, my tote bag on a bridge, and the tote bag being carried by the son of a great friend at Prague Fashion Week, where it was photographed by the press as one of the best looks captured for a local fashion medium there, and we went around the world. I invite you to read the full story on our blog, along with many others. Our brand unites families, friends, and all those who love Mexico around the world.
Where can we find Doble Infinito and purchase your products?
You can find Doble Infinito at the Fundamentally Showroom, located at Colima #184, second floor, in Colonia Roma, Mexico City.
What’s next for Doble Infinito?
I think this is the hardest question to answer. I would love to design clothes at some point. Until that moment comes, I will continue designing more tote bags and other beautiful things. I would also like to keep collaborating with other brands.
Follow Josh Illustrates on Instagram: @joshillustrates
