Tantrika is a sustainably sexy one-woman clothing brand hand crafted by my wonderful friend, Mallorie Ricca. All of her designs are hand woven with love and made from repurposed, upcycled clothing. Her dedication to living a more earth friendly existence in a world where fast fashion and rapid consumption makes such a negative impact on our planet is, honestly, an inspiring breath of fresh Lake Tahoe air.
I met this otherworldly beauty by pure luck on one of my photoshoots up in Incline Village last summer. Several of my models had to drop out the day of the shoot, so I frantically asked my photographer Eli if he knew any chill cuties who would be down to create.
He brought Mal with him, an alien princess with a booty as big as her heart. But I felt intimidated by her Aquarian aura at first, and wondered if she would be a diva or not. Turns out she was as real as they come. We quickly vibed on this gorgeous day in the mountains, and the rest is history unfolding together as our friendship and creative connection continues to grow every day!
Our upcoming drop with Tantrika hits the shop this Friday 5/12 at 10 am PST. We couldn’t be more stoked to unleash these one of a kind artistic tie dye pieces into the world. This collection features fire safe clothing and bamboo velour bell bottoms!
For now, have a read and learn about this mystical goddess and her conscious clothing creations:
Tell us who you are, where you currently live and what lights your soul up!
My name is Mallorie, and I live in beautiful Lake Tahoe! Connecting and growing with my friends, flow arts, yoga, cooking, traveling, and finding silliness in every day gives me liiife :)
How did Tantrika Start?
I had never owned any braided clothing and one day in April 2020 I decided to watch a simple tutorial on Youtube. I loved how quickly I could spice up an old pair of leggings or top and started braiding everything I had! My friends started wanting me to make them things, and eventually I made a separate Instagram account to showcase and sell my designs. I wasn’t planning on making a business out of it, but it’s been a super fun journey!
What is your favorite festival?
This is hard because each one has been so amazing and unique in their own way! I love the intimate homie vibes and underground bass music of the Untz, and all of my friends go to that one which makes it super special. But bigger festivals like Lightning in a Bottle, Burning Man and Electric Forest also have my heart.
Why is sustainability important to you?
Sustainability is important to me because it is important to all of us! Not only are we impacted by the actions we collectively make on this planet, but future generations and all wildlife/plantlife will be affected as well. Each person can make a difference, and while it is the big companies in charge who are mostly at fault, we do vote with our dollar and can steer people into a more sustainable way of living.
What are your favorite ways to practice sustainability in your life?
I try to only buy things with minimal or recyclable packaging - this goes for literally anything you can purchase. Products that are sustainable are often made with ingredients that are better for you too, so it’s a win-win! I am always seeing how I can repurpose or upcycle something, which is how Tantrika came to be. I love thrifting, and finding unique or vintage items you won’t see at the mall.
What made you want to collab with Little Black Diamond? How has the experience been so far?
I have been loving LBD since my early rave days in 2015! One of the first festivals I attended, I wore an LBD bodysuit :’) We instantly clicked when we met at a photoshoot, and the rest is history! Adrienne has become one of my best friends and I love working with her. Her hard work and passion for her brand has been such an inspiration.
What are your current goals and dreams?
I would love to vend at some festivals this summer, and eventually get a truck or van to convert into a boutique on wheels so I can take my clothing on the road! I hope to inspire others to shop small and sustainable, and repurpose as much as we can!
What are your fav vegan dishes?
I love Italian and Asian cuisine, so I’m always having fun veganizing those dishes! A couple favorites are pesto gnocchi, and stir fry noodles with as many veggies as possible.
What advice do you have for people who want to live a more sustainable life?
Start with small changes, and don’t feel pressured to be perfect! Before throwing something out, think of ways you can repurpose, or donate. Shop at thrift stores, consignment shops, apps like Poshmark or Depop, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace. You can usually find anything you need secondhand! You can also rent certain things that you might only need once. Most every day items can be found in little to no packaging, so just do some research!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own clothing line?
Just go for it!! I was unsure for awhile because there are already so many people making braided clothing. While there might be a million people doing the same thing you are, no one will do it like you! You bring a uniqueness and gift that is just your own - and it will shine through in whatever your passion is. If your heart is in the right place, it will happen naturally. I don’t even have a website yet, but have had much success through Instagram. Etsy or Shopify are easy to use platforms that will get you up and running.
What is next for Mallorie?
I recently started making jewelry and chains, so I’ve had some fun experimenting with that! I’m just now getting into sewing too, and hope with this new skill that I will be able to upcycle more clothing and fabrics. Tantrika is always evolving, this is only the beginning!
HERE'S A SNEAK PEEK OF THE DROP 👀
