Aaron McManus and Erwin McManus sit down in Brooklyn with Arturo Castaneda, founder of Storytellers and Creators, to explore his remarkable journey from small beginnings to becoming a creative force in the fashion industry. Arturo shares his nervousness about this being his first podcast, while Erwin praises his profound creativity. They discuss how people often seek advice from those without expertise, highlighting the importance of voices like Arturo’s in creative industries. Arturo opens up about his upbringing, learning sewing from his mother at a young age, making his first pair of shorts at 12, and facing challenges that shaped his resilience. He recounts moving to New York in his late 20s, enduring homelessness while working multiple jobs, and how a chance meeting at a deli introduced him to the fashion world, showing how small moments can lead to life-changing opportunities. He describes his breakthrough at J Crew, starting in the stockroom and rising toward a director of merchandising role before receiving an unexpected interview at Ralph Lauren. Arturo details his evolution from receiving clerk to concept designer on Ralph Lauren’s creative services team, contributing to Olympic uniforms, Wimbledon collections, and showroom concepts, and reflects on how Ralph Lauren’s leadership cultivated creativity and gave him global opportunities. The conversation shifts to Storytellers and Creators, the company he founded in 2014, initially focusing on tailoring before expanding to wider creative services. During COVID-19, they pivoted to produce 30,000 PPE gowns weekly for New York City hospitals, with Arturo highlighting Jessica, who emerged as a vital team member, and reinforcing his commitment to community, simplicity, and analog creativity. Arturo concludes by sharing his design philosophy, valuing discipline over talent and simplicity over excess, discussing the teaching culture where everyone is seen as a creator and mentorship is central, staying rooted in heritage while pushing creative boundaries, and maintaining a human touch in design. His vision for the future includes expanding into new areas while remaining authentic to his values, leaving listeners inspired by a life built on craftsmanship, humility, and love for the process.
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