By Behnam Ghasemi, Editor-in-Chief, Kohan Textile Journal
During Colombia Moda 2024, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Juan Diego Palacios, a Mexican artist and fashion designer whose path to success was anything but ordinary. Once an athlete with dreams centered on sports, Palacios discovered his artistic calling in the most unexpected ways. Our conversation unfolded like a captivating story, showcasing how resilience and self-belief can shape one’s life.
From the Court to the Canvas
“It’s a crazy story!” Palacios began, with a laugh. “I played tennis from a young age, then went to the U.S. at 17 to continue in sports and studied business because my family wanted me to have a degree.” However, it wasn’t long before he felt that his future lay beyond the tennis court. “I always loved sports, but I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do beyond that.”
It was during his time as a tennis coach in Beverly Hills, California, that the seed for his artistic journey was planted. “One evening, I was at a friend’s house, doodling with a Sharpie on a napkin, and someone commented, ‘You’re an artist.’ That comment stayed with me,” he recalled. What followed was an exploration of art that began with a simple piece of wood and paint he bought on a whim. “I had no training, but once I finished that first piece, I thought, ‘This isn’t so bad.'”
Building a Brand with $20 in His Pocket
Determined to follow this newfound passion, Palacios invested everything he had in his art, a decision that soon left him with only $20 and no place to live. A friend offered him a temporary job at an Apple store, where Palacios discovered a unique outlet for his creativity. “One day, I found a paint app on my phone and started creating designs with my fingers. I printed them on T-shirts and wore them, and people started noticing.”
Serendipity played a role again when he met a customer who turned out to be a prominent businessman from Dubai. Although Palacios initially couldn’t secure funding, the connection eventually helped him break into the Middle Eastern market and led to his art being displayed on the Burj Khalifa. “To be the first artist to have my work featured on the Burj Khalifa is something I’ll always cherish,” he shared.
Creating from the Heart, for the World
Returning to Mexico City, Palacios began crafting notebooks and T-shirts with his designs. He sold these from a local Starbucks, which quickly became his makeshift gallery and office. “That Starbucks was my first little store,” he chuckled. Over time, his unique style gained recognition, leading to licensing deals with major brands and expanding his product line into children’s goods, home décor, and fashion items.
“I have over 10,000 graphic designs now,” Palacios said. “From $1 doodles on napkins to international licensing deals, it’s been quite a journey.”
Advice for Aspiring Artists
Palacios emphasized the importance of originality and persistence for those starting out. “Find your DNA,” he advised. “Don’t try to copy others because you’ll still be a copy, even if you make small changes. True creativity comes from practice, much like training in sports.”
He shared five pillars that guide his journey: “Discover your talent, dream big, have faith, work smart, and give back.” This last pillar—giving back—is especially close to his heart. “I try to give back whenever I can, whether through social projects or inspiring others.”
Dreaming Big, Inspiring Others
As Palacios wrapped up his story, his message to others was clear: “If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. Invest in yourself, even when the odds seem against you. The world is smaller than you think, and every connection can open new doors.”
Through his art, Juan Diego Palacios continues not only to create beautiful designs but also to inspire others to follow their dreams, proving that sometimes, the greatest journeys start with a simple doodle on a napkin.
