Kristina won my heart and support with her Fall 2022 season photoshoot dedicated to addressing age diversity in fashion campaigns. After working for large retailers such as Gap Inc., Bebe, and Target Corporation Kristina launched Lacson Ravello, a thoughtfully designed capsule clothing collection based in Oakland, CA. Kristina's designs are for the "confident and stylish Gen-X woman who refuses to let age define her. She believes "these are women in their 40s and 50s who are shaking things up, rewriting the rules, and creating their path through mid-life." They don't believe in quietly slipping into middle age. Kristina agrees. I know you'll enjoy this conversation with her as much as I did!
Welcome to the blog, Kristina, I'm so happy to spend this time with you. Tell us about yourself, don't leave out the quirks.
Thanks Lisa for having me here! I'm an American-born Filipina who's currently living in Oakland, California. I've been working as a fashion designer since 1993, and in 2015 I decided to take the plunge and start my own brand: LACSON RAVELLO.
Fashion design runs in my blood - my family tree is filled with dressmakers and fashion designers. In fact, you could say that fashion is just a part of my DNA.
Starting my own business wasn't easy, especially when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a tough time that made me rethink what was really important in life. But it also made me realize that designing clothes for women was my true passion.
That's why I created LACSON RAVELLO—to help women in their 40s and 50s feel confident and stylish, without sacrificing comfort or ease. We're not old, but we're definitely not in our 20s anymore, and it's tough finding clothes that strike the right balance—in style, fit, and relevance. I wanted to create a line of clothing that fills that gap and makes women feel fabulous.
And let's be real, my breast cancer experience played a big role in shaping my vision for the brand. I wanted to create clothes that made women feel empowered, confident, and beautiful. That's the driving force behind LACSON RAVELLO—to help women feel good about themselves and their style.
And let's be real, my breast cancer experience played a big role in shaping my vision for the brand. I wanted to create clothes that made women feel empowered, confident, and beautiful. That's the driving force behind LACSON RAVELLO—to help women feel good about themselves and their style.
Quirks: Oh boy, where do I even begin? One thing that pops to mind is my childhood allergy to, well, pretty much everything. Food, fragrance, stuff in the air, skin irritants, you name it. I don’t even know if this can be considered a quirk or just a weird childhood medical condition. It wasn't exactly a fun time, but it did make me a bit of a health-conscious kid. I was reading labels before it was cool and gluten averse way before ‘gluten-free’ was part of the vernacular. My husband says that I have the ingredients list memorized for all of my favorite products. Luckily, the reactive effects have subsided as I got older and I'm not quite the total health nut that I used to be, but I still think twice about what I'm putting into and onto my body.
Where do you live?
I've been living in Oakland and the SF Bay Area since 1996. I actually spent some time in LA for design school and the start of my career, but now I call the Bay Area home. Even though I've been in California for a while, I still consider myself a Midwestern girl at heart since that's where I grew up—St. Louis, Missouri to be exact. But, I have to say, California's creative energy and lifestyle are just amazing and I love it here.
These are women in their 40s and 50s who are shaking things up, rewriting the rules and creating their own path through mid-life. They don't believe in quietly slipping into middle age, and neither do we.
Who do you design your clothing and collection for? Who is the Lacson Ravello woman and how do you keep her in mind when evolving your collection?
Our clothing and collections are designed for the confident and stylish Gen-X woman who refuses to let age define her. These are women in their 40s and 50s who are shaking things up, rewriting the rules, and creating their own path through mid-life. They don't believe in quietly slipping into middle age, and neither do we.
My designs really came out of my own frustration with trying to find clothes for myself. I love classic, chic clothing that offers a balance between easy and put together, fun and not so fussy.
With Lacson Ravello, I think I have achieved an aesthetic that is timeless and quietly elegant. My collections are known for their quality fabrics and special attention to detail. I am passionate about creating simplicity and consistency, and building essentials for a wardrobe with pieces you can wear again and again, season after season.
How has entering your 50’s influenced the brand design and its marketing?
As I'm getting older and entering my 50s, I've become more conscious of representing my own age bracket in my brand's design and marketing. At Lacson Ravello, we've always been committed to featuring a diverse range of women in our campaigns, including different races and ethnicities.
But as I approached this new decade, I realized that I wanted to specifically showcase women in their 50s and beyond. Our brand caters to women of all ages, and I wanted to make sure that was reflected in our visuals.
I'm really proud of the work we've done so far, and I'm excited to continue championing real women—with all their life experiences and yes, even grey hair!
I read that one of the things you are most looking forward to at this stage of life is busting stereotypes about turning 50. Did you have any stereotypes of your own? How has that reality surprised or challenged you?
The idea of turning 50 used to be scary to me. I had all sorts of stereotypes about it being the beginning of the end, with my best years behind me. But now that I'm here, I see things much differently. It's just the beginning of a new chapter, a reason to reinvent myself—and I kind of like that. It’s a theme that I’ve gotten used to being in the fashion industry—looking forward to and transitioning to a new season. Change is definitely hard but there are also so many things to embrace about it.
Let’s talk about your gorgeous photography and why you chose to address age diversity in your Fall 2022 photoshoot?
During the design process, I knew I wanted the collection to tap into the 'Coastal Grandma' trend that's all the buzz right now and carry that into our creative direction, including the model. Frankly, I hate super trendy trends, but I think Lacson Ravello has been unknowingly on the pulse with this one even before the term was coined—think clean lines, relaxed silhouettes, and timeless styles. And no, you don't have to be an actual granny or live on the coast to appreciate this style. It's a look that even non-granny types and all ages can get on board with—comfortable, fuss-free, and put together.
How was your campaign received?
Our campaign was received incredibly well! It's wonderful to see that people appreciate the timeless looks and the body positivity message that we stand for. We've had a lot of support and encouragement, which is always great to see.
What's next for Lacson Ravello?
I'm excited about our upcoming Spring/Summer 2023 collection which embodies classic simplicity and a sense of optimism. We're really loving the vibrant and energizing shade of golden yellow in our Cora sweatshirt that brings a sense of joy and positivity to any outfit.
We're also featuring shades of light blue, olive, florals, and stripes that can be easily mixed and matched. Our ditsy floral print, in particular, is capturing the essence of spring with its tiny blossoms. It's delicate and vibrant at the same time and we've used it to create a new lightweight camp shirt that's perfect for the season. The silhouettes are kept clean and versatile, with pieces that can be worn for a variety of occasions.
Our popular Cora sweatshirt and Ynez tee are making a return in new colors, and we've added new pieces to the collection like a knit tank dress, a short sleeve camp shirt, and a cap sleeve tee. We'll be dropping new pieces monthly, starting with the Cora sweatshirt in the new golden yellow hue. We're really excited to see how our customers will mix and match our pieces, and we hope that our Spring/Summer 2023 range will bring a sense of positivity and joy to everyone's wardrobe!
Finding inspiration can be a tricky thing, especially when you're just not feeling it. But when I'm in a creative funk and it’s not there, it's just not there. After working in the industry for so many years, I've learned not to force it because when I do, I usually regret those uninspired decisions later on.
Where do you find inspiration, especially on the days you aren’t feeling it?
Inspiration can come from all sorts of places! My friends and family are definitely a big source of inspiration for me, especially their unique styles and personalities. I also like to keep an eye on current fashion trends but I like to put my own twist on them. And let's not forget I'm a child of the 70s and 80s, which always finds its way into my designs. Oh, and being based in California definitely has an impact—the natural beauty and relaxed attitude of this place informs my designs. But really, inspiration can come from anywhere and anyone. I try to keep my eyes and ears open to new ideas and experiences, whether it's a chance encounter with a stranger or a great new art exhibit. You never know what might spark your next big idea!
Finding inspiration can be a tricky thing, especially when you're just not feeling it. But when I'm in a creative funk and it’s not there, it's just not there. After working in the industry for so many years, I've learned not to force it because when I do, I usually regret those uninspired decisions later on.
When the inspiration does hit, though, I try to ride that wave for as long as possible. I’ve been known for getting an adrenaline rush and staying up until the wee hours, sketching and designing away. Whether it's scribbling ideas down in a sketchbook or jotting notes on my phone, I always make sure to capture the moment.
Any favorite go-to resources you’d like to share with our readers? (books, podcasts, etc)
I wish I could say that I’ve read a good book cover-to-cover lately but my nightstand is basically a library of books I haven't gotten around to reading yet. It's a bit embarrassing, to be honest. Some days, my attention span is shorter than a TikTok video. But I'm not completely hopeless - I've found solace in podcasts! Here are a few of my go-to favorites:
Literally! With Rob Lowe - I love how we chats with some of his best buds from the 80s.
Archetypes with Meghan - I love how she chooses topics that push the boundaries
The Drew Barrymore Show - It’s the next best thing to watching the show. She’s relatable, has seen everything and is funny as hell! Yes, there is an 80s theme going on here.
The Business of Fashion - for keeping up on all things fashion!
Dressed: The History of Fashion - The perfect marriage of my 2 favorite subjects: fashion + history!
FOLLOW KRISTINA
BIO
Kristina Lacson McConnico was born to Filipino parents and descended from a long line of dressmakers and fashion designers—grandmothers, aunts, and cousins. Upon establishing her own brand, she incorporated her surname, Lacson, and her grandmother’s maiden name, Ravello. Kristina currently lives in Oakland with her husband John and their cats Coco and Clementine. She is also a breast cancer survivor and thriver and has made it a priority to support the organizations that impact breast cancer awareness and patients the most.