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

Hi Svetlana, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
This question is so interesting! I actually took a partial break from my business for a bit and really slowed down because I felt like I had lost my vision and creative flow. Even when my social accounts weren’t active and I wasn’t launching new products, I kept seeing purchases come through.

Every time I would get a little spark of inspiration, even while feeling burned out, I was reminded that there was someone out there discovering and loving pieces I had already created. That support kept pushing me to keep going and work through the creative humps.

Not every drop is a hit, but sometimes it just takes one person to see your vision for others to follow. For example, my bow tie pasta tanks were actually from last season and I never promoted them. This year I decided to market them a bit, and they immediately sold out, with my inbox full of people asking when they’re coming back.

Moments like that remind me why I started and keep my spark going. They reinforce my intention to keep creating and not give up.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pasta Confidential started as a name I came up with when I was 22 because I loved pasta , and I still very much do. If I’m being honest, if I could go back I might have named it something else, because the number of times people think I actually sell pasta is ridiculous. But in a way, that’s also what makes the brand memorable.

What sets Pasta Confidential apart is that it’s playful, bold, and a little unexpected. There really weren’t many brands leaning into Italian culture, and the love of food in a fun, fashion forward way. I took something simple, appreciation for pasta which almost everyone likes, and turned it into a relatable lifestyle brand.

Every drop is very intentional. I work with a graphic designer on each collection, and a lot of thought goes into the creative direction, from the slogans to the photoshoots. That’s honestly my favorite part, building the vision and bringing the personality of the brand to life.

Fashion right now can feel very minimal and basic, and while my own wardrobe is mostly black and white, I’ve always loved bold color and fun statements. Pasta Confidential is a place where you can be a little louder , whether that’s a Kelly green trucker hat that says “Hot Girls Eat Pasta” or a cheeky ” Sex & Pasta” tee you wear around the house.

Recently, I’ve also started working with a manufacturer to create custom pieces, which is a big step forward from the hats and tees I started with. It’s been exciting to expand the brand while still keeping that playful energy.

To me, Pasta Confidential is the brand you shop before your European vacation and after, it captures that vibrant, carefree feeling of travel, food, and not taking yourself too seriously.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think the last time I was interviewed I mentioned dinner in WeHo, drinks, and ending the night at The Living Room. Lately though, I’ve been choosing to slow down a bit. I have so much going on in my life that my perfect day in LA now is driving out to Malibu.

If I’m taking a friend who’s visiting, I’ll usually drive a little further up to Point Dume. After the beach, we’ll stop at Broad Street Oyster Co. for soft serve, and yes, I know Kith Treats is there too, but nothing beats a classic vanilla soft serve after a beach day!

If the tide is low, I’ll usually end the day with a little sunset session at the tide pools. And of course, before heading to Malibu in the morning, I’m stopping at Clark Street for a croissant and an iced cortado. Bread & Butter is another amazingg spot for a croissant, but unfortunately the lines can get a little too long!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout has to go to the Pasta Confidential community. When I hit a point of burnout and took a step back from the business, I honestly thought my small business might be done for. I was worried I’d lose the followers and the people who engaged with the brand.

But the community continued to support me. People kept following along, messaging me about new product drops, and interacting with the content even when I wasn’t very active. That kind of support means everything.

I wouldn’t feel encouraged to keep creating if it weren’t for the people who believe in my vision and choose to wear the pieces I make. The community is really what keeps the brand alive.

Website: https://www.pastaconfidential.com/

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

Image Credits
Images by:
@masha.photo
@35mmbydeb
@eastofnormal

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