Mother Stories
Meet Shoe Goddess And L.A. Mama Beatrice Valenzuela
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Michelle Drewes
May 20, 2014
Some women were just meant to be mothers. This seems to be the case for shoe designer and Echo Park resident Beatrice Valenzuela. The Mexico-raised beauty and mama to 5-year-old Astrid and 3-month-old Dimitri is positively radiant around her children. And, with one look at her newest addition (sadly, the adorable Astrid couldn’t make our shoot), can you really blame her? Click through our slideshow below to get a glimpse inside of the moccasin-maker and Echo Park Craft Fair co-founder’s intoxicating world, from her tree house-like, color-soaked East Side home to her refreshingly relaxed take on motherhood. Inspired much?
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- "Our home is like a tree house filled with treasures from our travels." Beatrice, on her porch, wears a Jesse Kamm dress, and baby Dimitri wears a vintage top and C de C linen shorts
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- "I love the diversity here. As for living anywhere else, I would like to think so, somewhere where I could have a house with the garden/patio in the middle and all the rooms around it." A tree house setting, indeed.
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- "Yes, I try and not put all my eggs in one basket anymore. Also, since becoming a mother, I feel more focused in my life overall, and when I have time for myself I really enjoy it."
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- "I really feel more focused and I find inspiration for my designs always comes after they have gone to bed. So, I do the best I can with the free moments."A pair of Beatrice's shoes for children.
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- "Yes, it definitely makes me think about comfort more."
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- "I love all the people I get to meet. I really enjoy connecting with others."
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- "Our kitchen is my favorite room. It's filled with spices and baskets full of garlic and dried chiles. I love our Moroccan-tiled counters and Douglas fir shelves made by my husband. That's where we keep our bulk goods in mason jars and our collection of pottery."
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- "Also the kitchen! Everyone hangs out there. Usually they are waiting for a cocktail to be served or a bottle of bubbly to be opened."
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- "I try and incorporate beautiful handmade toys into our children's lives, but every now and then some plastic, not-so-pretty things will appear. I eventually donate to Goodwill when they have forgotten all about them."
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- "I love the chandelier my husband, Ramsey Conder, made for us. We sell them at our store, Beatrice Valenzuela in Echo Park." In the dining area, which opens up onto the porch.
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- "I like for everything in my home to be made from natural fibers."
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- "Sleeping in, then going out to brunch with papa. Then coming home and relaxing on the porch while Ramsey waters the garden and smelling the wet earth."
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- "A couple of Isabel Marant dresses and a pair of her silver pumps with a huge bow for me. Everything by Wovenplay for Astrid. Makié and C de C for Dimitri."
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- "I find inspiration on Pinterest. I Pin everything I love and have special boards inspired by my two children."
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- "Feminine, flamboyant, and sexy. My staples are caftans, good jeans, great swimsuits, and my shoes." Beatrice wears a top by Black Crane and a skirt from Oaxaca. Dimitri wears a top by a Makié and pants by a Michelle Chaplin.
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- "Isabel Marant and Dries, because they go with everything and their textiles are always beautiful. As for shopping, lately, it's in my neighborhood at Mohawk General Store, The Echo Park Craft Fair, and online at Net-A-Porter and La Garçonne."
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- "I never thought about how much fun I was going to have being a mom. Sure it's hard at times, but I really think I was born to be a mama!" Making a weaving in the living room.
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- "What excites me: To be the kind of mother that can say to my children, 'I messed up, I'm sorry! Now let me try again.' What makes me nervous: That I might be missing something while I'm busy dealing with life. They are growing so fast."
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- "I never knew that my heart can grow so much. I love my two children with so much passion and intensity."
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- "I think the names 'Astrid and Dimitri' sound like the pair that walked all over the earth experiencing the wildest adventures."
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- "That I can be sandwiched by the two of them in bed." Beatrice wears a vintage top and H&M jeans.
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- "They are both full of expression. I can spend all day just looking at their little faces."
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- "I am different from my mother, because I'm really into being a homemaker and my mother was more interested in always being off in a never ending adventure."
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- "I want it filled with magical and colorful handmade objects and be a place where both of them can dream of adventure!"
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- "The beautiful vintage wool textile over her bed that Ramsey found at a junk store years ago. There are dozens of beautiful animals embroidered on it."
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- "I really look up to a dear friend named Pietsie Campbell. She is such an inspiration to me. She and her daughter Charlie always have so much fun and her taste is immaculate. Every time we go over for a play date I come back inspired. Everything in their home has its place, but without it ever feeling too fussed over. I'm so excited she is working on a new line of clothing for mother and child."
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- "Take care of yourself. Give a lot to yourself, so that you can give without resenting those you love the most."
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- "I drop off Astrid at preschool, then off to meetings or a photo shoot. Then I pick up Astrid and meet a friend and her child for happy hour and then dinner."
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- "For day to day: A caftan with a pair of my sandals. For business: A caftan with a blazer and a nicer shoe. For a night out: A caftan or dress with a blazer, clutch, a bold lip, and heels." Beatrice's studio space within the home.
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- "I am working on a new collection with my husband Ramsey. I'm designing the shoes and he will make the hardware. I am also working on a jewelry line in brass featuring Calla Lillies."
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