Talking To Lola Mignot On Her Latest Film ‘De Color A Flor’
Lola Mignot, one of our favourite ladies of leisure is set to drop a stunning, joyful surf edit this Friday called De Colour A Flor.
Given the unrest descending on the US, particularly the LA protests turned riots, it’s a difficult time to think of anything positive or warm which I think is why we need these little films of joy to keep us going. If you’re in LA, there will be a premiere at our boy Grady’s shop (alongside wife Mackenzie) - Oblivion. I think it will be a nice reminder that community still exists, and in these times, the surfing one always stands up stronger.
In response to all that is going on at the moment, Lola, her long time shaper Dane Peterson of Unhinged Surfboards and wetsuit sponsor July Wetsuits will be raffling off a surfboard / wetsuit combo prize and all the money will be going towards CHIRLA , an organisation that supports immigrants’ rights. If you’re feeling stuck and hopeless, this is a nice way to feel helpful. Otherwise, when the clip goes live, give yourself some time out to sit, watch and enjoy. Alex Patrick has done a wonderful job of filming and Lola a wonderful job of reminding us what the important things in life are. And that is joy (from surfing, friends and flowers none the less!).
Hello Lola! Sorry three mowers outside have just started going, it’s all happening here. How are you?
Good. Just getting everything ready for the premiere on Friday.
Where is the premiere?
It’s at my friend's shop in Highland Park, so out the back of that.
Wait, what's the shop?
Oblivion.
Oh yes! Grady. We love Grady. He’s such a legend. I met him last time I was in LA. That sounds so fun, damn I wish I was over there now.
Yeah, we’re literally about to post the flyers today. It’s going to be fun.
And what’s the name of the edit?
De Color a Flor which translates to of colour to flower.
I love that. And I love the edit. It made me want to go surfing which I think is the point. And Alex filmed it?
Yeah Alex Patrick. I grew up with him in Sayulita. I’ve known him for over ten years. He filmed my first surf videos. We had been talking for a while about making a new edit to show who I am now and also how he has changed as a filmmaker too. We just both wanted to do something new. My partner came up with the idea of the flowers coming along and unfolding and we both thought it would be cute to give the flowers as a way to give back to everyone. Make something happy and joyful.
Well you and Alex certainly captured that very well. I love the concept.
Yeah it took a lot of back and forth because I’m in LA and Alex obviously has other jobs so I'm super glad with how it turned out.
And where is it mostly filmed? Mexico right?
Yeah the city shots are Mexico City and then the rest of it we went out to Oaxaca.
My sister and I want to do a surf trip to Mexico one day, where would you recommend we go?
It depends if you want to surf the whole time?
Yeah I mean a bit of everything. Would definitely like to look around.
I would recommend where I grew up in Sayulita then. The waves are super fun there. I have boards there if you ever want to use them and don’t feel like lugging them on planes. That’s where we started hanging out with Holly there.
Wawn?
Yeah.
Fucking love Wawny. Sayulita. Okay, noted. I might have to take you up on that one. And what board are you surfing in De Color a Flor?
My boards are all by Dane Peterson (Unhinged Surfboards) and I’m surfing the Pedo Pig. That’s my absolute favourite surfboard and I want to ride it all the time. I also made a surfboard model with him called the La Lola but the Peto is obviously the one he’s been working on his whole life. It’s just perfect. My brother comments all the time saying it’s always the best he’s ever seen me surf when I’m on it. It just feels so easy and natural under my feet.
Great shout out to Dane. And who are you surfing with the most these days?
I’d still say Karina. We travel the most together and also being on the same team.
I met Karina in Hawai’i last year. Absolute darling. Had the best time with her.
Yeah it’s super special to spend time with her.
On that note, can I ask your hot take on how you feel about where women’s surfing is these days?
I feel like things are changing for the better. I grew up in a pretty good place for it all. Everyone was really supportive. Obviously the men just feel entitled to priority especially when it gets bigger but it’s changing. It’s beautiful to see all women’s contests like the Queens Festival happening.
Yeah I was about to ask, what it’s like being a part of that. I’ve watched on as Queens has grown from its first years and it just looks like the best production of female surfing going around.
Yeah there’s not many competitions like it where they focus 100% on females. But everyone is invited, you know, there’s no exclusivity around it, it’s just a beautiful community that comes together. It totally captures how surfing supports everyone.
Huge shout out to the Queens. I would love to be on the ground for that festival one day. Are there any other hobbies outside of surfing that have caught your attention lately?
Ah yeah actually, Nico and I have started a new jewelry brand.
Oh wow.
We work with metals and wax carving. It’s something we started about a year ago. We have our studio and it’s been slowly growing. It’s been really fun to work as one. It’s something we love to do and people are loving it too. A lot of our friends have pieces and they match them with their partners.
Wow! Do you have a name for this project?
How did you get into that?
My family are really creative people so I’ve been making jewelry with them since I was about ten. It was more with pearls and leather though. I got over that and wanted to work with metals, like silvers and with wax to make something different.
This is such a fun side hustle to know about you, I’m glad I asked.
Yeah we just did our first photo shoot. It’s growing.
So premiere this Friday, is there anything else upcoming that you’re excited about?
Yes we are actually going to raffle off one of Dane’s Unhinged Surfboards and some product from July Wetsuits and all the money will be going towards CHIRLA which is an organisation that supports immigrant’s rights.
Yeah I’d imagine it's a pretty heavy time in the US right now, especially in LA.
Yeah it’s really sad.
That’s a lovely thing you’re doing. I’ll make sure to plug that extra loud so you can get donations up.
Just trying to help out where we can. The world needs something nice for once.
