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or nine years, the fashion brand and store Maricastaña flourished under the motto “we dress lives with colour and good vibes”, capturing the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Yet, as Vicky and Sergio’s journey evolved, they decided to shift focus. “We’re in the process of finding new owners now, and we’re happy that this little miracle seems to be happening. That someone brave is ready to keep believing in small businesses and in this ‘daughter’ that Sergio and I created,” Vicky explains. The couple saw the need to grow in a new direction, one that offered more creative freedom and space for future projects outside the retail world. “We couldn’t do it all,” she admits, “and in the end, we chose to focus on La Vida Mola, our own clothing line which was born from Maricastaña’s success.”

La Vida Mola was a natural progression. A clothing brand that embodies the same spirit of positivity and creativity that had defined their earlier venture. “La Vida Mola is about spreading joy through clothing. We want our designs to make people smile,” Vicky says. La Vida Mola is not just another clothing brand; it’s a statement. “Our brand is for the colourful sheep in the family, for the people who like to stand out from the flock. It’s about being bold and playful, wearing designs that express a rebellious spirit, optimism and joy.” The clothes are designed to make wearers feel comfortable and confident, with vibrant prints and inclusive sizing that caters to all body types. Vicky’s vision for the brand is to work with illustrators, muralists and emerging artists to bring their artwork to life as prints on clothing, turning anyone who wears La Vida Mola into a walking piece of art. “We believe that when people wear colourful clothes, they bring good vibes into their lives,” she explains.

In the early days of La Vida Mola, the brand’s production was rooted in sustainability, with fabrics sourced from Bali and India. “We started by helping a family in Bali with fabrics they already had,” Vicky explains. “It felt more sustainable, and we developed a close relationship with them.” However, as the demand for La Vida Mola grew, Vicky and Sergio faced the limitations of small-batch production. “We needed to scale up and also wanted to create our own designs,” she says. That’s when they turned to China, working with eco-friendly fabrics like EcoVero™, which allows them to create slightly larger quantities while staying true to their vision. Despite the logistical challenges, Vicky has embraced the transition with enthusiasm. “The ability to create exactly what we want is incredibly exciting, whether it’s a snake print, a mural or painting by Mireia y Sus Cosas, a piece from Perrine Honoré or Anne Gabillot,” she says. This move to custom prints allows La Vida Mola to maintain its unique identity, setting it apart from other brands that rely on mass-market fabrics.

Throughout her career, Vicky has faced challenges, particularly in expanding Maricastaña to a second location in Barcelona. “It required a strong presence, and in the end, you just can’t split yourself in two. It’s already difficult to have a second store in the same city, so imagine in mainland Spain,” she recalls. Another reason they decided to close the Barcelona shop was the constant crime and break-ins at their store that drained their energy and made it hard to maintain a positive attitude. For Vicky, overcoming adversity has always been about staying grounded. “Yoga has been my medicine, as well as a lot of personal work and the support of my partner Sergio,” she says. “True love endures, even through the bumps in the road, both in life and in business.”