This week’s guest is Talía Cu, writer of Latin Zine by Talía Cu and veteran fashion journalist. She’s focused on introducing the world to cool designers and pieces with soul, sourced from the diverse cultures within Latin America. In our episode, we cover everything from her perspective on Latin American fashion’s influence on the global style scene, to how she personally decides what to buy and wear. Enjoy!

Episode Transcript

This transcript has been edited for clarity.

You’re listening to Intuitive Style, where we believe that everyone has style. In conversation with fantastic guests, we explore how to tap into our style intuition so that we can dress authentically and live fully. Today’s guest is Talía Cu, writer of Latin Zine. Talia is a Mexican fashion journalist who has worked for esteemed publications including Vogue Mexico and Latin America. As a fashion illustrator for luxury brands like Fendi and Bumble, she is currently a cool hunter of Latin American brands. Her Substack newsletter showcases her exquisite eye for emerging talent, hidden gems, and one-of-a-kind artisanal fashion. Talia, welcome to the show.

Talía: Thank you, I’m really excited because it’s my first podcast interview in English.

Maureen: I’m sure it’s going to be fantastic. Thank you for trusting me with this process. I’m excited to talk with you and learn more about you, your experience, and your personal style. For anyone who hasn’t interacted with Latin Zine yet, would you share a bit more about your column?

Talía: Of course.

Latin Zine by Talía Cu

is a newsletter dedicated to understanding fashion from a Latin American perspective. It’s a place to discover new fashion stories and hidden gems—brands you don’t typically see in mainstream media.

Maureen: I love that your work introduces us to new brands. Many people are interested in connecting to style on a personal level. Could you speak more to the global impact of Latin American brands? How is Latin American fashion shaping global style trends?

Talía: I wrote about this in the beginning of my newsletter. I don’t like to generalize Latin America because each country is so different. Designers often have to compensate for things like lack of materials, so they create amazing work with what’s available. The whole region has a wonderful creative spirit. Globally, there’s growing appreciation for artisanal pieces and sustainable practices, and Latin America is at the forefront of that.

Maureen: I was hoping to talk more about sustainability. You write about fashion discovery, which can lead to shopping. But how do we appreciate and engage with fashion without overconsuming?

Talía: That’s a big reason I created the newsletter. I found so many beautiful things and wanted to collect them somewhere. I do write about shopping, but I also share designers’ stories so there’s more context to what you’re purchasing. I like to buy directly from designers or brands I’ve followed for a while and believe in their methods or practices. I usually don’t buy on impulse. I think carefully and sometimes wait for the right piece that resonates with me. I’m also building a small archive of Latin American designers—pieces I may not wear daily but that are meaningful or significant.

Maureen: Even though your column isn’t personal style, or would you describe it that way?

Talía: Not exactly, but I do look at Latin American fashion from my own point of view. It’s about the people I meet, the things that catch my eye, and what I discover. I’ve been covering Latin American fashion for years, but I’m always finding new designers and stories, and I share them as I go.

Maureen: I love the way you balance discovery and perspective without it becoming strictly personal style. There’s a clear intentionality and playfulness to your work. Let’s talk a bit about your own personal style. I’m interested in why people wear what they wear—how do you decide what to buy and wear, especially since you’re constantly seeing cool brands?

Talía: Everything for me is intuitive. When I go into a shop, something needs to grab my attention—maybe it’s a color or pattern. I also care about the stories behind the pieces. Like, if I know a brand has an interesting upcycling process, I want something from them. One of my favorite things is when someone compliments a piece and I get to tell them it’s from a Costa Rican designer who upcycles leather. Fashion becomes a conversation.

Maureen: That’s beautiful. Your clothing becomes a part of your story and a way to engage with others.

Talía: Yes, I love talking about it.

Maureen: Okay, this is something I struggle with. There’s a brand called Wray NYC that’s size-inclusive and editorial, and they’re going out of business. My first instinct was to buy everything. How do you handle moments like that—when you want to support a brand but also make sure what you buy is actually useful or wearable?

Talía: I’d say I have two categories: pieces I wear daily and curated archive pieces I only wear on special occasions. For daily wear, I buy things like printed mesh tops from Colombian brands that I wear often. I try to balance both—special pieces and practical items.

Maureen: That’s a cool way to approach shopping. I always feel like something has to be utilitarian for me to want to buy it. But fashion can also be conceptual or artistic.

Talía: Exactly.

Maureen: Let’s talk about how body awareness influences the way you dress. Are there certain textures, fits, or styles you gravitate toward based on how they make you feel?

Talía: Yes, especially as a woman with a larger chest, I notice many Latin American designers don’t make tops that fit me well. The models they show often have smaller chests, and I wonder how the clothes would actually look on me. That’s why I don’t love shopping online—I need to try things on. I also have PCOS, and for a while, my weight was fluctuating, which made me more self-aware. During that time, I started wearing more pastels. I think it made me feel soft and loving toward myself.

I also have PCOS, and for a while, my weight was fluctuating, which made me more self-aware. During that time, I started wearing more pastels. I think it made me feel soft and loving toward myself.

Maureen: That’s really beautiful. I’ve gone through body changes too, and it’s true—our relationship with clothing can shift with our relationship to our bodies. Some silhouettes I used to love just don’t work for me anymore, and that’s okay.

Talía: Yes, I’m 35, and I’ve been thinking about how many independent designers seem to focus more on people in their twenties. I love what they create, but sometimes I see things like mini skirts and wonder—can I still wear that? Even if it’s not super short, I still question if I’ve passed the age for it, or if I’m just overthinking. I don’t feel as comfortable in those pieces as I did in my twenties, and I’m still processing what that means for me.

Maureen: Can I ask—have you tried one on?

Talía: Yes.

Maureen: How did you feel?

Talía: I felt a bit uncomfortable. I kept wondering if I was showing too much leg.

Maureen: I totally get that. I’m all about self-compassion, so if that’s how you feel, that’s okay. You don’t need to rush into anything. I’ve been thinking about this too. I’m almost 30, so I feel like I could still get away with a mini skirt, but I’m married and live in the suburbs, and the idea just doesn’t appeal to me. I’d rather wear shorts—they’re more comfortable, and I don’t have to worry about anything riding up or flashing someone. But I think if wearing one feels authentic to you, go for it. And if it doesn’t, that’s okay too.

Talía: Exactly. That’s true.

Maureen: That’s where I’m at with it.

Talía: I’d love to wear tights underneath, but it’s so warm where I live, so that’s not really an option. Maybe wearing shorts underneath would make me feel more comfortable. I hadn’t thought of that.

Maureen: Yeah, I think a little bike short could help.

Talía: Yeah, maybe.

Maureen: Let’s go back to your style evolution. Have you had any memorable phases?

Talía: When I was 19, I was obsessed with collecting earrings. There was a shop in my hometown that sold beads from around the world, and I was constantly buying jewelry. Then I went through a phase of buying weird tights online from UK brands—like ones with tattoo prints. In my early 20s, I wore a lot of pink and fuchsia, but a boy I liked told me it looked childish, so I switched to wearing black. I’m sad I let that influence me. Now, I’m really into rings, brooches, and necklaces. My hair also affects my style—since changing it recently, some things don’t look the same on me.

Maureen: Yeah, for people listening, how would you describe your current hairstyle? It’s very cool.

Talía: It’s like half blonde and half copper.

Maureen: And what was your most recent hairstyle before this?

Talía: I tried a bit of pink with brunette. I’ve always had really dark eyebrows, that’s my natural color. I started with a little pink and then decided I wanted something completely different. This is probably the most drastic change I’ve had.

Maureen: I love that. As you said earlier, when I asked how you decide what to buy or wear, it sounds like you have such an intuitive approach. You’re in your heart rather than your head when making choices. As someone super analytical, I tend to overthink everything. How do you stay light and in tune with yourself when shopping or deciding on hair and accessories?

Talía: I wouldn’t say it’s always practical. My best friend gets texts from me at least once a month saying I don’t have anything to wear with something I just bought. She always says, “You need a leather jacket.” I do buy basics for function, but I’m not great with practicality.

Maureen: So you’re more of a magpie—you go for color, print, and shiny pieces.

Talía: Yes. I’m very selective with what I buy and like, but then I have to think about the practical side. There’s a Mexican brand that sells basics like jeans and tank tops. I go to them when I need staples. But usually, I buy something because it grabs my attention—like pants I just feel I need in my closet. I’ll figure out how to wear them later.

Maureen: What’s your process for getting dressed?

Talía: For my day-to-day, I teach fashion journalism, so I have certain outfits for school—comfortable pieces like jeans or trousers. Then I have event outfits. There are also those last-minute combinations that surprisingly work. Day to day, I usually repeat outfits I know work well together.

Maureen: So you have uniforms and go-to’s that just happen to be more expressive than my jeans-and-T-shirt look.

Talía: Maybe.

Maureen: What’s exciting you in fashion today?

Talía: I’m really excited that people are finding my newsletter and open to discovering designers outside the norm. Some people send me pictures saying they bought from a brand I featured. I love that. I never expected to have that kind of reach. Seeing people find and love these brands as much as I do is amazing. I’m excited about the power of sharing stories, and how Substack is connecting us globally.

Maureen: Absolutely. From my perspective as an American, it feels like the perfect time to support designers outside the U.S., not out of a lack of patriotism, but out of respect and fairness. I’m excited by your work because it gives access to so many brands I wouldn’t have otherwise discovered. I haven’t bought anything yet—last month’s budget was tight—but now when I look for a piece of jewelry or a statement item, I have this whole new resource.

Talía: Yes. That’s what excites me too. People in the U.S. are visiting designers in Mexico City or purchasing from them, and they’re getting pieces that are real conversation starters. You get to wear something unique, and when someone asks about it, you can share the story behind the brand—their process, their mission. That kind of storytelling fuels me.

Maureen: That ties so beautifully back to the idea of clothing as conversation. So what advice would you give to someone trying to build a wardrobe that feels intuitive and authentic?

Talía: Work on tuning into your intuition—it’s difficult, but worth it. I’ve only recently learned to listen to mine. Also, research the brand and ask questions. We’re used to buying things just because they look nice, but it’s more meaningful to learn about who made it, how it was made, and why. You gain context and maybe even learn something fascinating about a designer’s process.

Maureen: Can you share a recent example of a piece you bought or considered because the process or story behind it was special?

Talía: There’s a bag brand I’ll be sharing soon that’s based in a smaller state in Mexico. They make bags from leather scraps. It’s two women running the brand, and they’re one of the few fashion brands in that state. I’ve followed them for a few years and noticed their designs evolving. Now I feel more drawn to purchasing from them. I think they’re finding their voice, and I’d love to own something from this moment in their journey.

Maureen: I love that. We can follow a brand over time and appreciate them without needing to buy immediately. We can grow with them, see where they go, and decide if it resonates later. That’s such a beautiful example of a slow fashion mindset.

Talía: Yes, of course. Bringing awareness to these designers, even without buying right away, is valuable. Sharing them with others still makes a difference.

Maureen: Absolutely. Thank you. This was really fun. Where can listeners find you?

Talía: Thank you, Maureen. It was so fun talking to you—I love your perspective on fashion and style. You can find me on my Substack at Talía Cu and on Instagram @taliacu.

Maureen: We’ll include the links in the show notes. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise and knowledge of Latin fashion. I can’t wait to keep following your posts and eventually shop from these brands. Thanks for coming on.

Talía: Thank you, Maureen.

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