SoccerBible’s ON A PLATE stopped off at Los Angeles last week, and it brought out the creatives in force, honouring LA’s Mexican-American community. One such individual is Bryan Escareño, Founder & Designer for Amor Prohibido.
There are designers, and then there are storytellers. Bryan Escareño is both. As the founder and creative force behind Amor Prohibido, his work doesn’t just live on fabric—it exists in the culture, memories, and streets that shaped him. His designs flip the script on traditional fashion, weaving in narratives of identity, heritage, and self-expression.
We took time to chat with Escareño at ON A PLATE: Los Angeles, the latest instalment in SoccerBible's Creative Soccer Culture tour, this time celebrating the city’s Mexican-American community through football, art, and creativity. With the new México De Oro kit from adidas as the backdrop, he reflected on his creative journey, the deeper meaning behind his work, and how his upbringing in LA continues to shape his vision. More than just clothing, his designs carry history, reimagine tradition, and offer a new perspective on what it means to represent culture—both on and off the pitch.
Let’s start at the top. Tell us about yourself – what do you do?
I’m a designer and the founder of Amor Prohibido. I design primarily high fashion—pieces for both men and women—with a focus on storytelling through clothes.
Why fashion? What made you choose this path over something like video or photography?
Fashion was always the entry point for me. I think deep down I’ve always loved storytelling, and clothing just became the excuse to express that. But once I started building collections, I realised I wasn’t just making clothes—I was casting people, directing visuals, shaping entire narratives. It all clicked. Fashion was just the first language I spoke creatively, but it led me into everything else. It all ties together.
"My culture taught me to lead with love. It instilled compassion, humility, and a crazy work ethic. It’s about taking care of people—like a Mexican grandma who’s holding down the whole house, cooking, cleaning, loving on everyone. That energy is the backbone of what I do."
Do you ever branch into other design spaces like shoes or accessories?
Yeah, actually—I’ve got a shoe collab dropping this year with Virum Vi Up. So even though I’m rooted in fashion, I love working across mediums. It’s all part of the same creative universe for me.
When you design, are there deeper layers of meaning behind what you create?
Definitely. I love flipping the script on things that were once seen as negative or looked down on in our culture. Like long shorts and oversized white tees—things that were once considered “too street” or “not fashionable.” I’ll take those silhouettes and elevate them. Maybe it’s long shorts but cut from premium wool or silk. To some, they might just look like Dickies—but if you touch them, you feel the difference. I like embedding stories and details that speak to where we come from, while also pushing those ideas forward.
So materials help tell your story?
Absolutely. The fabric is part of the message. It’s about more than just visuals. How it feels, how it moves, what it references—it’s all intentional. That kind of detail helps elevate everyday pieces into something meaningful. It’s subtle, but powerful.
Would you say there’s a core emotion that runs through your work?
For me, it’s all about being authentic. When someone sees Amor Prohibido, I want them to feel like it’s coming from a real place—something rooted in love, honesty, and experience. I care deeply about the details. There’s no shortcuts. Every stitch, every visual, it’s all thought through. It has to feel lived-in and real.
Does your culture influence what you create?
One hundred percent. My culture is everything. It shaped me in ways I didn’t even realize until I started creating. Growing up, it was little moments—like being at family barbecues, seeing the adults boxing in the backyard, kids jumping around, chaos and love all in the same place. Those memories stuck with me. Now, I find myself recreating that energy in photo shoots, in videos, in the vibe of a collection. Even if someone doesn’t share the same exact memory, they know that feeling. That shared experience is what I’m tapping into.
How would you describe the influence of your culture in a sentence or two?
I’d say my culture taught me to lead with love. It instilled compassion, humility, and a crazy work ethic. It’s about taking care of people—like a Mexican grandma who’s holding down the whole house, cooking, cleaning, loving on everyone. That energy is the backbone of what I do. It’s what I try to put into every piece.
"I love flipping the script on things that were once seen as negative or looked down on in our culture. Like long shorts and oversized white tees—things that were once considered ‘too street’ or ‘not fashionable.’ I’ll take those silhouettes and elevate them. Maybe it’s long shorts but cut from premium wool or silk. To some, they might just look like Dickies—but if you touch them, you feel the difference."
You're based in LA—how does that shape your identity as a designer?
LA means everything to me. I was born and raised here, in Venice. To now be in a position where I’m representing LA on a larger scale—it means the world. People see me and they feel LA. It’s in the way I talk, the way I dress, the way I carry myself. Wherever I go, I carry this city like a badge. It's not just where I'm from—it's part of who I am.
If you had to imagine yourself without your culture—what would that look like?
Man, I honestly can’t. Without my culture, I’d feel empty. Dull. It’s threaded into everything—into my blood, into the fabrics I use. I’ve met people without that deep-rooted cultural influence, and while everyone’s experience is valid, I just feel like our culture gives us a richness, a perspective, and a rhythm that can’t be replicated. It’s global. It’s felt. You can’t fake it.
A shoot like this today, what do you make of it?
We’re shooting the new third kit for the Mexican National Team with Adidas. It’s beautiful, and it feels special to be a part of it.
Can you describe your connection to soccer and what it means to you?
Of course. I played growing up. Soccer, to me, means family barbecues, Sundays, being outside with the people you love. It taught me teamwork and built the foundation for how I approach creative work now. When I stopped playing after college, I needed another outlet for that same kind of expression—and that’s what led me to design.
How does it feel to be repping this jersey and being a part of this campaign?
It feels amazing. To be recognised by adidas, and to be included in this kind of project—it’s surreal. Especially coming from LA, where we’re starting to see more and more creative pillars emerge, it’s an honor to be considered one of them. To be part of something that celebrates our culture and our people—it means a lot.
If you could speak directly to the young boys and girls of LA—those who share your roots—what would you say?
I’d tell them: I’m you. There’s no difference between us. I grew up just like you. I’ve done the same good and bad things. I’ve had the same dreams and doubts. But I followed that voice inside me, and I didn’t take no for an answer. You can do all this and more. Just trust your intuition and stay true to yourself.
Shop the Mexico 2025 third shirt at prodirectsport.com/soccer
