Bailey Prado purse with pearl closure and piercing strap.
(Jennelle Fong and Yasara Gunawardena / For The Times)
The thing about a Bailey Prado piece is that it looks like it was made by someone who loves you. The designer is known for her handmade crochet, a medium she extends to matching sets, rhinestone-cut pants, playsuits, wraparound bras and airbrushed dresses, modeled by “it” girls like Gabriette, Bella Ferrada and Princess Gollum. (Bailey Ballesteros-Prado also makes accessories and pieces reworked from vintage textiles.) The vibe that best describes her work: “feminine energy, confidence and comfort.” With a Bailey Prado design, you know someone's hands touched it, you feel the joy and charm woven into the thread.
Ballesteros-Prado, a Capricorn sun, is currently drawing inspiration from growing up in Southern California in the '90s and has her eye on a vintage designer bag as a gift for herself this season. The rest of the family? You will receive a handcrafted Bailey Prado.
Name, occupation, neighborhood: Bailey Ballesteros-Prado, fashion designer and creative director, Santa Ana.
Playful, daring, endearing are the three words that describe my brand.
My mantra for the end of the year is: I am worthy and the best is yet to come. I've had the hardest year of my life, so I really want to change and grow.
The gift I could buy myself that matches my astrological sign: I would buy myself cute stationery and a new planner to motivate me to stay organized and not forget everything. A more luxurious gift would be a nice vintage designer tote or bag for my laptop because in my opinion, if I have nice accessories and work items, tasks will be less stressful. I never really understood my Capricorn qualities until I started my brand and business became a personality trait.
A Bailey Prado design feels like feminine energy, confidence and comfort (the yarn is very soft).
A Los Angeles artist whometer I would love to see wearing my work is: Nadia Lee Cohen, who is an amazing photographer and artist. I love her ability to combine the modern and vintage worlds in such innovative ways. The way she has established an identifiable aesthetic and style is truly inspiring.
The designer/brand I wore the most this year: As for accessories and handbags, Vivienne Westwood.
What's been in my online shopping cart for months: New photography equipment! While creating content for my brand, I realized that I loved taking photos and coming up with new concepts.
The Bailey Prado piece that I will give to the people I love this season: I always make my mom and grandma a custom blouse or sweater that matches their style, so they definitely look forward to adding something to their collection each year. The rest of the family will receive personalized scarves and hats. I plan to give my friends some charm clips and other accessories like the Fairy Butterfly and Bay earring sets.
Vanilla velvet Bailey Prado purse.
(Jennelle Fong and Yasara Gunawardena / For The Times)
The only thing I wish the people I love would join in and buy from me this season: A Fujifilm X-T5 camera. I would love to continue learning and working on my photography skills. I will most likely receive lots of Hello Kitty gifts and cute black cats (I have a black cat named Yoko and she is my world), which makes me very excited.
The fanzine/book/article on my coffee table that I want people to see: The three British Vogue print magazines my brand appears in.
I will never stop swinging my ponytail/high bun hairstyle and rare vintage Betty Boop bags.
The cause or organization I am currently supporting: A Sisterhood for Orphaned Daughters is a community of girls and young women who have experienced the absence of their parents, whether through death, imprisonment, not knowing them, or emotional and/or physical absence. My father passed away this year in March, which changed my entire life. I have love and understanding for those who understand the pain and confusion that comes with not having a father. I'm just recovering, but I hope that in the new year I can work on a project with them.
My childhood It's what inspires my work right now. Since losing my dad, I've felt the need to relearn about my childhood and think and ask questions about things I never had. Over the past few months, I've been going through all the photos and storage in my family's home, reconnecting with so many things I'd forgotten about. I realized that I am very lucky to have been born in Southern California during the '90s, to young parents who were immersed in the culture and shared it with me. Most of my style references and inspiration come from incredibly interesting family and childhood photographs that showcase her incredible style and personality. Basically, I started creating moodboards from images and memories I kept, which really ignited my creativity and passion. Now my designs represent something bigger than me and have more meaning.
In 2024 I am manifesting a car and to be able to take care of my family. The last few years I've been living in New York and London, where it's definitely not unusual to not drive or own a car, so I'd say the hardest thing about returning to California has been the loss of public transportation. I miss him so much! I have my license, so this will be the year I buy a car and share the success of my business with my loved ones.
Confidence and a good pair of boots. It is the best to combine with a Bailey Prado piece.
Bailey Prado Sea green piercing earrings.
(Jennelle Fong and Yasara Gunawardena / For The Times)
Elsewhere vintage It is the best place to buy vintage. It's actually in my hometown of Orange; I do all my vintage shopping here.
The color I want everything in: baby blue.
The 2023 crash that I missed and that still haunts me: Unfortunately, this year I haven't spent much time shopping, but instead preparing for my own releases!
Throughout 2024, I will smell like: Mugler Alien Goddess and L'eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake.
