Style Q&A with Carlita at Nylon Residency at The Surf Lodge

Nic: I saw your set at Coachella—it was incredible! I loved your look there, and I'm obsessed with what you're wearing today. Where is today's outfit from?

Carlita: Thank you! For today, I wanted something that felt very New York, and I love wearing upcoming designers. My shorts are from a brand called Seks NYC, a rising designer based right here in the city. I’ve paired it with a classic, basic white tank and a Von Dutch hat. My boots are YSL—they are my absolute go-to pair. Given the weather today, I kept things simple, though I originally wanted to wear a different top but it just didn’t make sense with the current heatwave.

Nic: You mentioned a love for emerging talent. Who are some of your favorite designers or smaller labels that you’re keeping an eye on right now?

Carlita: For established houses, YSL and Miu Miu are always a heavy part of my rotation. But when it comes to smaller or emerging names, I’m incredibly into Willy Chavarria. I love that the brand is deeply rooted in Latin culture. I’m also a big fan of Alphi, a wonderful smaller label based out of Paris, and I work a lot with Isabel Marant. Their creative director, Kim, is doing an amazing job.

Nic: How would you define your personal style, and does your music influence the way you dress?

Carlita: Ultimately, it’s about comfort. I always try to wear things that make me feel confident and at ease. I’ve always been into wearing cool hats, but lately, I’ve transitioned into collecting sunglasses as my signature.

As for music, it definitely dictates my fashion. My sets are quite eclectic—I play a lot of different genres in a single night—and my style reflects that duality. Some days I lean heavily into a feminine aesthetic, and other days I prefer something much more masculine. Music and fashion are deeply interconnected for me. 

Nic: Tell us a bit about your journey into the DJ booth. Was this always the career path you envisioned?

Carlita: Not at all, I never thought of DJing as a career initially. It was always a hobby. I started playing the piano when I was three years old, eventually picked up the cello, and then transitioned into DJing for fun while I was in college. Right after graduation, when I was 21, I decided to take a leap of faith, quit my full-time job, and just dive into it. I haven't stopped since. Sometimes you don't have to force a decision—life sometimes guides you toward the choice you need to make.

Nic: Between touring and traveling, do you have any pre-show rituals to keep you grounded?

Carlita: I prefer not to be surrounded by big crowds right before a set; I only keep people around me who bring positive, comforting energy. I also used to meditate quite a bit before going on stage.

Lately, the summer schedule has been far too hectic for rituals. Travel can be intense—for instance, we haven't even slept yet today. We just flew in from Mexico and had to jump straight onto a helicopter to make it here with only an hour to spare before playing again. Summer is festival season, so I basically have no personal life between the US and Europe tours, but the winter months are much more balanced. My next show after this is for an event with H&M in Paris. 

Nic: How do you split your time between New York and Paris? As someone deeply embedded in the fashion world, do you prefer the scene in New York or Paris?

Carlita: Paris, no-brainer. New York’s fashion scene was really cool about four or five years ago, but it has shifted quite a bit recently. That said, there are still great brands—Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Khaite are all doing incredible work right now.

While I spend more of my time in New York, I knew I needed an apartment in Paris. It was starting to affect me mentally to keep touring throughout Europe without a true home base. But dealing with the current European heat wave at my Paris place is definitely a challenge without air conditioning! Everyone asks why I don't just put a window unit in, but visually, it's out of the question for the building. I actually fled to London recently just to escape the heat.

Nic: Are there any current fashion trends you are absolutely loving right now?

Carlita: I am a huge fan of the oversized shorts trend that has been dominating the last couple of years. I often wear the "big bottom, little top" silhouette that has been all over the fashion scene. 

Nic: What advice would you give to aspiring creatives looking to turn their passion for music or fashion into a full-time career?

Carlita: You just have to try. Try, try, and try again, and never allow yourself to stop. Always give yourself a chance. Taking that very first step is half the battle won, because it means you've already committed to trying.

From taking over the DJ booth at Surf Lodge to splitting her time between the creative hubs of major fashion capitals, DJ and musician Carlita moves effortlessly between global stages and high-fashion front rows. We loved getting to chat with her about her favorite designers, her pre-show rituals, and her unique journey into DJing.