We had the good fortune of connecting with Alejandro Fortunes and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alejandro, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
For me, I’ve found there is no better feeling than up-lifting others (corny & youth pastor-y as that sounds). I love making people smile. That makes me smile. Whether it be through the campaigns and collections I release as a designer that help invoke those feelings, to a funny post to promote my brand to helping someone feel more confident in their own skin by wearing something i’ve made, THAT makes me happy. It’s my drive & the reason I do what I do.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At 25 years old I run a clothing brand called Good Fortunes Project, a brand I started when I was 17. Back then I just trying to make a quick buck selling t-shirts to attend the music festival of my dreams. Fast forward to now, my brand has been worn by my idols like Mac Miller, it’s been sent to every state in the U.S. (even Alaska!). My passion has allowed me to travel the world, pay my bills, give back to my family & most importantly, build a community of likeminded creative kids trying to do what they love with their life.
What makes me proud & really invigorates my passion for making t-shirts & clothing is my approach to world-building with my pieces. I don’t just want to slap graphics on t-shirts, Instead, I aim to create original characters & come up with back-stories for these characters. These stories can be seen in the graphics I use for my brand & even in the monthly comic we put out through my brand. I don’t just want to make clothing, I want to tell stories & create worlds & tell stories. Stories that inspire, that motivate you! Stories that bring you the same feeling as your favorite Studio Ghibli or Pixar film.
It hasn’t been easy at all. I started with a blank t-shirt and a bottle of bleach & grew that into my business now. it’s been hard, but being consistent & keeping in mind the big picture & my dream of opening a store.. that’s pushed me to keep doing this all these years.
idk i explain it better in this tikky tok haha
@.dyebones Replying to @nikec._.69 yes, yes i do 🙂 MY NEW COLLECTION IS AVAILABLE NOW!! It’s okay if you can’t buy but It would mean the world if you could check it out ❤️ #dyebones #goodfortunesproject
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I don’t think I’d have the passion & drive to believe in my dreams until they’re a reality if it weren’t for… Ash Ketchum. I know that sounds insane, Ash Ketchum from Pallet town, fictional character & protagonist of 90’s anime Pokemon but hear me out! As a kid, I’d watch Pokemon every single day. I’d watch Ash lose every single battle. He’s kind of a terrible Pokemon trainer if we’re being honest.. but that didn’t matter. What stuck with me is how through sheer determination, he slowly started to get better. He began achieving his goals! His determination, his WILLPOWER. That mindset is ingrained in me even now as a 25 year old man.
Website: https://www.goodfortunesproject.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodfortunesproject/
Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@.dyebones
Image Credits
TIFFANY GALICIA (all the collage photos) lindy schoenborn (photo of model laying down) Sarah Devoti (photo of two models with orange background)