Meet Monica Andino | Co Founder/ Creative Director

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

Hi Monica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Pam + Mo started with a vision of creating something that could give back to the latin youth, specifically in the form of art.

We knew going into it that we would eventually become a brand that offered more than just clothing, but we wanted to build on our message first, thus our Pupusa tee was born.

Inclusivity is also very important to us, every step of our design process has that in mind, we offer unisex in almost every product, and our sizes range from S-XXL.

We are a brand for all genders, colors, shapes, and sizes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My sister (Pam) and I (Mo) are both very artistic. The arts hold a huge place in our heart and lives. Growing up we were both very involved with playing various musical instruments, and were frequent museum patrons.

We both followed careers after college that allowed us to express our artistic selves – I (Monica) am a fashion designer for the masses, my sister (Pam) is an events producer/ marketing and social content creator.

I would say it was both easy, and hard following our dreams, but we could not imagine doing anything else.

At one point in both our careers, we decided to put our talents together and build something that would give back, and help those who do not have the same opportunities that we did growing up.

The message we want the world to know is art and music are very much important in molding a young childs mind, and future. The arts help to explore relationships between ideas and objects, they serve a link between thoughts and actions.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My sister and I are very bi-coastal- we are both from the Bay Area, live/d in Houston, and pre-pandemic traveled the world- we hold true roots in Los Angeles, San Jose, and Houston.

Pam + Mo is based in LA- So here is a list of some of our fav places we frequent in SoCal:

Lares *Mexican (Santa Monica) (we take everyone here)
La Pupusa Eatery *Salvadoran (DTLA) (best pupasas in LA!)
Hilltop *Coffee (Inglewood)
Placita Olvera *Mexican (DTLA) (super authentic)
Versailles *Cuban (West LA)
Kazu Nori *Japanese (Century City)
Alana’s *Coffee (Venice)
Empanada’s Place *Argentinean (West LA)

What would LA be without bomb tacos spots
Too many good ones- here are just a few favs.

KING TACO
GUISADOS
LOQUI
EL GRUILLENSE
TACOS GAVILLAN

Museums in LA are also amazing:
LACMA
NHM
Getty Center
Skirball Cultural Center
MOLA (they carry Pam + Mo!)

Lastly, the ocean and desert are 2 of our special places that motivate, inspire, and recharge us.
We frequent Santa Monica, Venice + Manhattan Beach
Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are both a short drive out of LA and truly miraculous- highly suggest a quick getaway to the beach and desert when possible.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Pam + Mo recognizes all of the strong men and women out there in our latin community using not only their voice, and social platforms to fight injustices in our community- but also those who have made it their lives missions to give back to our latin communities, and those in need.

There would be no Pam + Mo without being able to align ourselves with such people, organizations that we have in many of our campaigns.

From food donations, to essential PPE during the pandemic, to giving aid to our farmworkers- these are the real heroes!

Website: https://www.pamnmo.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamnmo/

Image Credits
MONICA ANDINO