Hooked on Leila
the LOCALS is a deep dive into people I find in the communities I work and travel in. These interesting beings live life differently, outside the “norm”, and really blow my mind - Summer Kellogg
I found Leila whilst walking through the Seaweed and Gravel parking lot market they host from time to time. This lime green beaded daisy choker popped out from all the other usual beach style jewels. This girl’s stylish stand hosted beaded creations and these fantastic crotchet hats. Not your grandmothers hats. Some had funky flowers, others waves and my personal fav were the checkers (I’m a sucker for checker). She has flair I thought. That’s what we all need around here. Something to look forward to. Designs and styles we don’t see all the time. We want ways to express ourselves without looking like everything else (at least my audience does).
So meet Leila Escamilla. Young, curious, SMILEY, motivated and full of ideas. Like all my locals she’s a hell of a find and I’m patting myself on the back for gravitating towards her daisy necklace I bought and layer on with my other gold chains all the time. So why should you know her?
Well first it’s a damn good sign that apparently she has quite the posse at her surf spot The Lot (Tourmanline parking lot) where I arranged to meet and photograph her. I arrived and soon we were flanked with people of all ages, shapes, sizes, vibes high fiving her and chatting her up about waves, hats and social events. Being in her Orbit felt warm. It was more than simple hellos. It’s clear these humans are family. And they ALL wanted to toss on her after surf fashion crotchet hats. Jackpot for me and incredibly fun to see how people LIVE in their fashion choices. This wasn’t some walk the street or pose in a studio shoot. Everyone was in their element. That’s exactly the kinda fashion shots I want to share.
Leila often sits here in The Lot knitting or beading either in a chair or in the back of her dad’s truck. He introduced her to this neighborhood surf spot 9 years ago to teach her the way of the waves. SO FUCKING CUTE. They both still catch waves in the same spot. Hence the community Leila has built that spans all ages.
I asked Leila how or why she started this hat and bead endeavor and here’s what she shared:
“ I've always had a fascination with art! I've played with so many styles over the years that I now have a dresser packed with bits and pieces from my past hobbies. None of them stuck for too long. It all changed in 2020. Like many, I found myself bored with too much free time. I spent a lot of that time on social media and I kept seeing people wearing crochet hats. I've always been around crochet pieces as my great grandma was a great blanket maker but up until that point I had never felt a connection to them. It was different when I came across these bucket hats, I knew I needed one but I didn't want to pay someone else to make it so I thought why not add another hobby to the list. I watched endless youtube tutorials on how to make a crochet bucket hat. Looking back I think I chose one of the most difficult things to start with. It took me months to complete my first project. I'm a perfectionist so I redid the same hat way too many times. Once it was finished I felt a sense of accomplishment I never had before, being able to wear a piece of my art was incredibly special. I continued to make different crochet pieces over the next 2 years but at that point I wasn't an avid crocheter. I still found myself needing a variety in my craft so I picked up one of my past hobbies again and started making jewelry. Everything I was making was for myself but I would post my work on my instagram because I liked sharing my art. I had so many kind friends reach out and say that I should start selling what I was making and start an instagram page for it. I started the account and I became obsessed, hence the name "Hooked on Beads". “
WHERE can you find her sweet one of kind hats? She took me up to Surf Lounge a few blocks away, this killer LOCAL hangout full of beautiful beach babes, edgy local art (Send Nudes, that’s all I’m going to say) and great coffee made by Sal. Here is her Etsy Shop and her DePop shop. This is only the beginning of Leila’s entrepreneurial journey. Hence why I wanted to share her. She’s a go getter. Following a “hobby” (aka just leaping at opportunity) and turning it into a side hustle is exactly how entrepreneurs begin. Combined with Leila’s solid community ethics and her built in motivational spirit there’s no doubt she’s on to great things.
Leila’s hats featured in Surf Lounge
Surf lounge locals
KILLER after surf hat by Leila
Know cool locals? Give me a shout! I love meeting and greeting interesting people.
summer@summer-kellogg.com
