Karina Black, Creative Director and Digital Strategist

Karina is the founder of Interlude Creative Studios, a creative agency based in Los Angeles. She is one of the true creative souls out there and a community leader building a dynamic community of creators and makers. We get to chat with her about her life as a creative, her wardrobe, and her ideal Friday night.

My name is Karina, I’m a free-spirited creative soul who loves trying new hobbies, being by the ocean, and spending time with friends and family. I work in the fashion/beauty industry as a creative director + digital strategist. After more than 5 years in the industry, I decided to take a leap into my freelancing career last November and start Interlude Creative Studios. I find so much peace in creating and storytelling through various mediums. I feel my most authentic self when I am creating without limits, which is why I started Interlude Studios. When it comes to production and brand strategy, I’m extremely selective about the partnerships that I enter. For me, the brand has to have a pulse and purpose. What are their ethos? How are they bringing value to my life and their customers' lives? What are their sustainability practices? These are some of the many factors that I evaluate during my process so that each partnership is intentional and aligned with my personal identity.

I find a lot of my inspiration through nature and it’s endless beauty - the way the ocean reflects the sun, the organic patterns on leaves, the texture of sedimentary rocks. When you really pay attention to all the details, the inspiration never ends. I’ve also been really into jazz music lately. Whenever I’m working on a project I listen to my jazz playlist and it gets the creative juices flowing.

My wardrobe has always been an extension of myself and I’m so happy to have built a collection of items that have so much sentimentality. Like my go-to vintage levis that fit just right, that one dress that always makes me feel confident, or the vintage leather jacket that I found in Tokyo that completes any look. There’s so much more behind a garment, at least for me, and I love being able to use it as a form of expression.

Something that really helped me when I was finding my own style was doing a massive closet clean out. I got rid of everything that I didn't wear anymore, wasn't my size, or wasn't my style. By clearing up your space you can really start to see your style unfold. Even if you’re only left with 8 pieces after, that's okay! You can begin to build up a collection that you love and will wear forever.

I’m a big fan of disco, so my ideal Friday night is going dancing with friends! I’m usually in my vintage levis, low cut top, pointed black boots, and a leather jacket (if it’s cold enough in LA).

—as told to Auralie