Meet Santiago Dollero | Founder & Creative Director of Pony Boy LA

We had the good fortune of connecting with Santiago Dollero and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Santiago, what role has risk played in your life or career?
In order to understand how I view risks today one must go back into my history of decision making. For years my decision making was characterized as that of the safe route. Growing up I diligently lived by this mindset getting all the right grades, securing spots in the right schools and ultimately laying a path to the job society deemed secure. Yet as safe as I was always told this choice was, the closer I got to making the jump the more it felt like the riskiest choice of all.

You see it was during this time that I realized all those safe choices I had made, all those decisions that seemed without risk, had within them an inherent risk. That no matter how safe a choice may seem a choice will always imply a risk. So to assume that because society deems one choice as safe that that choice is the right choice for you is to eliminate yourself of any sort of agency. For if I was to continue to make the choices society had pre-approved for me I would be risking betraying my own aspirations along the way.

Once this realization flipped my perspective of risks. I quickly began to analyze my choices and listen closer to what choices posed a risk I wanted to take and what choices were simply masked by the allure of a safeness I never asked for.

Nowadays I see a risk in every decision therefore I feel a lot more free to make the decision that aligns closer to the life I want to have.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In short we like to describe Pony Boy as “the unconventional guest at the country club, unapologetically standing out from the crowd. We’re the champions of ethical and sustainable fashion in a world where tradition reigns supreme. Our steadfast dedication to quality is evident in our small-batch, eco-conscious production, featuring organic yarns that challenge the norm while safeguarding our environment. At Pony Boy, we celebrate the outlier, the one who thrives on individuality, even within the most established settings.”

Yet Pony Boy is so much more. Pony Boy was born in 2023 out of the need to have a high quality, ethical knitwear company that was not only stylish but spoke to those that are so often overlooked. At Pony Boy we believe on unwavering individuality therefore we pride ourselves in making clothing that can speak to those that choose to stand out without having to call attention to themselves.

At Pony Boy we pride ourselves in using organic yarns and working with ethical factories here in Los Angeles and with third party certified ethical and sustainable factories abroad.

As a company we are committed to our pursuit of changing the way people view clothing companies. We believe in small batch productions with great finishes that last. We reject the idea that our costumer should buy the same product over and over but rather embrace our creativity and constantly push forward new creations while assuring the ones of the past are crafted to last. For when someone wears Pony Boy we want that person to not only feel the great quality of the garment but to feel emboldened to be completely themselves. To push back on the idea of making themselves small and to rather bask in the light of their own individuality.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you are coming to LA for a few days I’d say you must plan your trip around LA’s food scene.

To start out I’d say head to Venice and start the day off with lunch at Gjusta. Gjusta has so many great bites with the best pistachio cookie and a lively patio. After you finish eating walk a mere five minutes to the beach before heading to Abbott Kinney. Grab a drink at Intelligentsia and finish the day off with dinner at Gjelina. Make sure to get a pizza and a pasta.

The next day i’d say go to the hike right behind Malibu Seafood. There is rarely anyone there and the views are incredible. Then drive a bit towards Topanga stopping to eat at Cholada. A small Thai restaurant with cheap and incredible Thai food next to the beach. After that head to Santa Monica for dessert stopping at Paderia for the best cookies. Finally drive to Beverly hills stopping for dinner at Honor Bar. Don’t even look at the menu just get their fried Chicken Sandwich and fries.

The next day start out at Sycamore Kitchen. Getting the best pastries and breakfast , with their ginger lemonade.Then head to Madeo for dinner for the best bolognese in the city.

Finally end the trip with lunch at Factory Kitchen and walking the Arts District. Then head to Culver City or Santa Monica depending on what you are feeling and hit up either Cobis for the best Southeast Asian cuisine or Hatchet hall for their incredible bread and gnocchi.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe a huge shout out to my parents for their integral role in pushing me towards my dreams. When I was faced with the decision of leaving the career path I had worked for for years, their response was not just one of unwavering encouragement but of complete acceptance.

Their view on life and the importance of taking calculated risks when one still has the ability to do so, helped me see the fleeting nature of life, and the importance of pursuing my dream with a resolute tenacity during my youth.

In Hindsight I can see the immense impact their words and encouragement have had in my life. For when I was starting this new path of entrepreneurship their support emboldened me to put aside any apprehensions and to dive head first into these new waters. For if it was not for them I don’t know when I may have taken this leap.

Website: PonyBoyLA.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ponyboy_la/

Other: @ponyboy_LA tik tok,pinterest, and insta

Image Credits
photographer : Santiago Dollero models: Mason Mits and Francisco Valdez