How Comfort and Inclusivity Inspired Becky Anzaldo’s Fashion Brand, Playa Yama
We'd recognize Playa Yama's signature checkered plush pieces anywhere, and it's all thanks to founder Becky Anzaldo.
The brand is the perfect fusion of comfort and style, with pieces crafted from plush microfiber that feel like a cozy robe while exuding the elegance of a stylish cardigan. Inspired by Becky's Mexican and Japanese heritage and SoCal upbringing as well as a desire to make inclusive and comforting pieces, Playa Yama's looks feature versatile checkered patterns perfect for lazy days in or busy ones on the go. For us, it was love at first sight, and we got the chance to chat with Becky herself to learn more about her story and what makes the brand so special in the interview below.
Name: Becky Anzaldo
IG handle: @playayamashop
Hometown: Newport Beach, California
1. Becky has been passionate about fashion all her life.
"Ever since I was a child, I remember being able to step into different characters with what I was wearing, like bold colors when I felt more fierce and confident or my favorite jeans and sweatshirt when I just wanted to be comfortable. It gave me the confidence to dress up with certain characters in mind. However, when I moved to New York after graduating college, I realized trends weren't a thing; no one cared what anyone wore. People were living their lives expressing themselves however they wanted to. New York is where trends start, not where trends are followed. It gave me creative freedom to explore my style more, and I became obsessed with it. New York breeds uniqueness; someone can walk by you half-naked, and no one would blink an eye, and that is what I love. There are no rules with style."
-Becky Anzaldo
(Image courtesy of Becky Anzaldo)
2. Her sense of fashion originates from her hometown of Newport Beach.
"My California beach life influences my style, laidback chic with a cross of edgy bohemian style. I love oversized silhouettes mixed with sprinkles of designer flair and streetwear. For inspiration, my favorite designers are Isabel Marant and Anine Bing, but honestly, I don't get to wear their clothing since I'm a size 18, and their clothes only go up to a size 12. I'm passionate about having my cozy clothing brand, Playa Yama, be size-inclusive with sizes up to 5X. Most days, you will catch me in one of our cozy checkered sweaters with wide-leg jeans and either Chanel flats or Adidas sambas. That has become my signature style."
-Becky Anzaldo
3. Playa Yama is all about being cozy, with comfort as well as purpose being part of the brand's mission statement.
"I had lost my mom, became a mom, left my career in fashion and moved from New York to Orange County, California, all within a year and a half. I felt lost; I was experiencing all the pivotal moments in life around the same time. Then, I was hunting to buy something cozy to wear at home but cool enough to wear out. Nothing fit what I was looking for, and that's when I found my purpose to create Playa Yama. After working in the fashion industry for 10 years and seeing firsthand that size inclusion wasn't important, it was a priority to develop plus-size clothing. It all began with a desire to merge comfort with style and size inclusivity, but it became a movement to comfort women of all sizes with cozy clothing that speaks to the soul."
-Becky Anzaldo
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4. Playa Yama is designed to comfort women through both the highs and lows of life.
"The name itself, Playa Yama, reflects this ethos—'playa' means beach in Spanish (homage to my Mexican roots), invoking the laidback vibes of coastal living, and 'yama' means mountain in Japanese (homage to my Japanese roots) representing the elevated sense of fashion and mountain lifestyle of California (where I grew up)."
-Becky Anzaldo
(via Playa Yama)
5. Her go-to ensemble is usually denim on denim.
"My baggy Levis, a button-up shirt with lots of jewelry, our Playa Yama brown checkered pullover slung over my shoulders and Chanel ballet flats. Comfortable and tomboy chic is my go-to look."
-Becky Anzaldo
6. The best advice she ever received came from a family member.
"My cousin Lisia, a brilliant corporate lawyer in New York, told me when I was just building Playa Yama to be flexible and open to change if things didn't go as planned. I keep that in the back of my mind with every decision."
-Becky Anzaldo
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7. Her favorite piece of clothing is a Maje dress I bought at Galeries Lafayette in Paris in her 20s.
"It's the perfect layering piece—a Madras mumu-type dress with flecks of silver. You can add a blazer to dress it up or keep it simple with a belt in the summer. It brings me joy."
-Becky Anzaldo
8. She's loved the rising style trend of sneakers and streetwear over the past few years.
"I love my leopard Wales Bonner sambas and New Balance 9060s paired with dresses or jeans. I don't think I will ever wear heels again! But I'm also embracing trucker hats; it's probably the Orange County girl in me. I've always loved a good trucker hat. But now that the trend is so popular, it's easy to find cool new styles."
-Becky Anzaldo
(via Playa Yama)
Want to learn more about how great fashion brands are created? Click HERE to read about Paige Brubaker and her eclectic sunglass brand, BRU EYEWEAR.