Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Villarreal.
Samuel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
We started Petra around our junior year in high school… I was new to the city of where our high school originated, but I had a passion for clothing and styling and music, and there I met two creatives Luis and Sopanha. I vividly remember telling Luis about starting a clothing brand which he then told me he had attempted to try with Sopanha but didn’t work out too well.
We had a variety of names and even tried to make logos for our brand and eventually I gave the proposition of saying why don’t we all get together and make a dream turn into reality. We came up with the name Petra Stellam because we looked up to our favorite music artists and we wanted to rock out like them Petra Stellam means rockstar in, and that’s exactly what we will be very soon.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I can admit it, starting up was not something easy especially considering the birthing place and location of where we started from a city on the outskirts of Houston, a city that did not support or give you an opportunity to advance it was definitely a struggle.
But I always had a way with words in telling Luis and Sopanha to hold their heads up that confidence is key. People aren’t always supportive but we supported each other, and that is what fueled us, and the criticism drove us.
Petra Stellam – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I originally was a designer but later realized that was not my specialty, so I am now a stylist and help with ideas for new outfits. I am most proud of how far we’ve gotten in such little time.
I am also proud of how consistent we’ve gotten if only you could have seen our first piece of clothing to our latest you’d be in awe… that’s what sets us apart from others we don’t just stay at the same level we surpass it with each garment.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Proudest would be getting into Haute Houston fashion show.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.petrastellam.com
- Email: info@petrastellam.com
- Instagram: petrastellam_
Image Credit:
Adriana Cantu @adrianatookthis- IG, Sopanha Lyhoy, Luis Ruiz
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