Meet Heidi Grace Acuña | Artist, Stylist, Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heidi Grace Acuña and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heidi Grace, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking has always rewarded me, with success and/or with knowledge. When I dropped out of college at 18, I risked the comfort of conventionality to follow my gut: I was studying Sociology at Loyola Marymount University when I became extremely depressed. I confronted the truth that I didn’t want to become a social worker to appease my immigrant parents’ expectations of success. This risk rewarded me with knowledge in learning about myself, my values, my strengths and weaknesses. Most importantly, I learned my passion and commitment to creativity. When I make art, I almost always go for it! Whether it’s in ceramics, fashion design, or printmaking. To take the risk is to believe in myself, my experience, the intuitive vision, and my skills. You gotta risk it for the biscuit, baby! And if I fail, I have found a way that didn’t work, or as Thomas Edison said “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”. You can say I’m stubborn or committed because I keep on going until I find a way that works and that involves taking risks.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always been creating. As a child, I made sculptures out of office supplies in the back of my dad’s office. In elementary school I wrote and illustrated short stories, took dance classes, and was cantor in church. In high school, I traveled internationally for choir, hula, and trumpet. After dropping out of college, I moved to Seattle and learned sewing techniques from the New York Fashion Academy in Ballard. About a year later, I went back to school and received my AA in English from North Seattle College (NSC). It was during my time at NSC that I serendipitously fell in love with ceramics. My first ever ceramic sculpture “Big Head” was selected to be part of the Annual NSC Juried Student Art Exhibit, won the People’s Choice Award, and was then purchased by the school to be part of the NSC Permanent Art Collection. The success of this sculpture proved to me and my family that I can make a living from my art. I then transferred to the University of Washington where I received my BA in Art and Art History minor in June 2022. Since then, I have been working as a full-time artist, stylist, and fashion designer. I always say, “I create to live.” As someone with major depression and anxiety, creating gives me release, reflection, and healing.

There have been lots of trial and error over the years, but I have always stayed true to my creative process and integrity in the art and products I create. I have always found a way to create and express myself because I know that is what I am meant to be doing. During the quarantine period of the Covid-19 pandemic, the UW closed and I lost access to the ceramic studio. This is when I pivoted and turned to upcycling clothes. I started to view clothes as moving sculptures and I started to sell at All-Star Vintage and Tacoma Sunday Market with my genderless, sustainable fashion brand Hybrid Honey.

I come from a family of healthcare workers so community work is part of my background and is something that I have naturally incorporated in my artwork. As I said, creating is a cathartic and authentic act for me – that’s why my art and fashion creations speak to culture, community, gender, and mental illness.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you’re visiting Seattle you have to stop by the historic Pike’s Place Market! Great food, vibes, and views. Kerry Park and Gasworks Park are a must for scenic views of Seattle. You should also visit the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass museum. My favorite foods are the Salmon Sinigang from Oriental Mart, the Beef Belly Pho from Phở Bắc Sup Shop, Short Rib Kare Kare from Musang, Honey Lavender Ice Cream from Molly Moons, Kurobuta Katsu from Kobuta & Ookami Katsu, Happy Hour oysters at Taylor Shellfish, and all the yakiniku at Shinya Shokudo! Be sure to check out Fremont Sunday Market and Tacoma Sunday Market for food, vintage, and more local businesses!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out my families: my blood family, my chosen families, my creative families. Thank you to my Acuña and Concha families near and far for your support in my chosen profession. Thank you chosen and creative families for believing in me and supporting my creative visions. Thank you to my partner, Austin for accepting me for who I am, supporting me in my crazy ideas, and being my rock. 

Website: heidigraceacuna.com

Instagram: @heidigraceacuna

Image Credits
Heidi Grace Acuña V. Babida, Maxine Eve