An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
It would definitely be to spread your light and spread your love. There’s so much energy put into negativity; why not pour energy into positivity instead? I firmly believe that love heals all because, as humans, it’s what we crave most. When we experience love, we feel understood, seen, and cared for, amongst many positive things. I believe that if it’s not love, it’s a lesson for those involved. And, when you spread your light, it’s the highest form of respecting yourself as a soul because you’re being your genuine, authentic self and sharing that beauty with the world.
As a part of our series about lessons from Thriving Power Couples, I had the pleasure of interviewing Flor de Liz and Jack-Peter.
Residing in Las Vegas, designer Flor de Liz and husband Jack-Peter, award-winning fashion and leather designer, are turning heads with the bold and unique styles. With a modern aesthetic and a hint of Latin undertones, FDL stands to express emotions of passion, sensuality, and power.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you two to your respective career paths?
JP: Honestly, I never expected to jump into the world of fashion. I was in college, and I pretty much hated it. I was never really one for the traditional school setting, and when I started college, I had initially gone in with an idea of what I wanted to do — comic books. Towards the end of my college career, I was really miserable and couldn’t stand it. One day, close to my graduation, actually, I had a really deep conversation with Flor de Liz about where I stood in life, and she mentioned that there was always the option of leaving. It was like a lightbulb, but what was funny was that I had no clue what I was going to do. I had already left my first school and started my first few classes at a respected art college, but I was still unhappy. After I completely walked away, Flor de Liz had already been running FDL for about a year, and I sat down at one of our benches. I made a bracer for a Hidden Blade I had (from Assassin’s Creed), and I really enjoyed it. That sparked my interest, and over time, Flor de Liz and I learned how our designs could melt together into cohesive looks.
FG: I always loved fashion, but I never saw myself in the industry until I realized that I was a creative who was majoring in Psychology, then Accounting, and it was not the norm, haha. I knew I was a logical creative who loved fashion, so one day, as I was walking through Wizard World comic-con, there was a college with a booth set up that had Fashion Design as a major — before I knew it, I signed up to attend their tour, and I started learning everything fashion. It honestly was instinctual; I knew for a fact that this was my path. By the end of my college career, I graduated with a B.A. in Fashion Design and started working for local fashion brands. I realized I picked things up fast and noticed how much of an asset I was for other brands, and I remember thinking, “I can do this, too. I’ll learn more as I go.” And that’s exactly what I did — with Jack-Peter’s help and support, I opened FDL in 2018 and have started growing it since then!
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you two got married?
JP: We’ve had a lot of great moments together! Thinking back, two moments have truly stuck out, though. One was just before the pandemic. December 2019, just before Christmas. We were in this personal development program and had gone to this ranch for a week. It was really intense, but it was an incredible experience. One particular moment involved climbing this massive 20/30 foot telephone pole. It was equal parts terrifying and liberating, but I did it. It felt like I could conquer whatever fears I had, and in the end, I stood there at the top, stared out at the hills, and took it in. This trapeze was out in front of the pole; I don’t remember how many feet, but it felt like a mile. The goal was to jump and grab this trapeze, taking that leap of faith and reaching your goals despite how scary it may be to reach them. I remember when I jumped, I felt like an Assassin from the Assassin’s Creed series or Spiderman or Batman. Like a superhero. I caught it, and the second I did, I remember I just bellowed out this yell at the top of my lungs because it just felt so intense. For that week, and since then, we have had the opportunity to work on ourselves a lot, and with it came a lot of growth. The thing is with that, though, it’s not so much the program as it is us who put in the effort to accept and change what was needed. It’s helped a lot, and although we’re constantly growing, it’s really changed how we view life.
Our second moment, we both agree, is presenting at New York Fashion Week. To say we had our clothing and company represented in the heart of one of the most well-known cities and one of the world’s fashion capitals is terrific. What’s more impressive is that we did it together successfully. It was a natural progression of our relationship — that communication and ability to work together has worked well for us.
FG: I absolutely agree with J.P. on this one, too. For me, that telephone pole was a climb that represented my fears, and each step was one of taking definitive action toward my dreams. When we reached the very top of that telephone pole, we were standing on top of a wobble board that spun, so you really had to breathe and focus on your dreams and visions. Once stabilized, we had to jump and catch ourselves on a trapeze about 30 feet in the air. Once you caught it, it was this symbolic moment of you achieving your dreams and aspirations. The whole time you’re doing this, you’re secured in a belaying set, but it has zero pull on you — so once you realize that you did that yourself, it becomes another empowering moment. That was just there to support you and prevent you from hurting yourself — something that could be seen as a parallel in the “real world.”
And our debut in NYFW, I mean, the whole experience, from start to finish — exciting, stressful, chaotic, collaborative, fast-paced, fun, inspirational — everything I had experienced at other fashion shows, but times ten. It was so personal. Just the emotion behind it, and to be able to experience that together, was such a special moment for us. NYFW was a huge step for us as a couple and as an up-and-coming fashion brand. It challenged us in new ways that both Jack-Peter and I knew we were more than capable of fulfilling. If anything, it showed us our potential and our abilities and that we are more than qualified to be in this cut-throat industry. We know great things take time, so we’re being patient while the world begins to discover our work, but I know our voice and expression are missing from this industry — so we’re here to stay.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
FG: Oh gosh, the funniest and worst mistake I’ve ever made was volunteering to make my sister-in-law’s wedding gown. I challenged myself to make it from scratch fresh out of college and with very little industry experience. And sure enough, I messed it up. I mean, it was poorly constructed, the fit was poor, and I tried keeping it cool so I wouldn’t freak her out, but it honestly looked like a freshly graduated person’s project. I think back now and wish I didn’t do this project alone; I realized I should’ve been working with a tailor that would have had the patience to walk me through how to best construct it. I learned a couple of things: 1. it takes a team with industry experience to build something grand, 2. there’s no shame in admitting my weaknesses and asking for support, and 3. taking more time than I think to meet a deadline. Since then, I have found the best people in Las Vegas to be a part of the FDL team and help me grow the company. Without this big mistake and the universe being so blatant in what I needed to do, I wouldn’t have been so adamant in finding our team with industry experience.
JP: Oh, man. One in particular that sticks out is that I did an entire photoshoot for one of our collections, and without thinking, I formatted my memory card before doing a second shoot. That was terrifying. Thankfully, Flor de Liz found this wicked program that let me recover the files. It taught me to be more attentive and patient and that I should always double-check my work. I tend to be pretty careful like that, but it cemented that mentality. Another was that I was working on some leather and made a bad enough cut into the piece, so I decided to go with the mistake. It resulted in a completely different design, but it worked and turned out beautifully. I can be a bit obsessively detail-oriented and don’t like making mistakes, but it taught me to be patient and that something beautiful can come from those mistakes. To relax and trust myself, and my creative process, and know that I can handle a situation should it arise.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
JP + FG: It’s our individuality, willingness to be unique and embrace that, and treat people genuinely. FDL stands for being authentic and unapologetic in who you are. Our clothes, the brand overall, really represents that. When someone puts on the garments, it is almost like they’re stepping into their truest self. They get these genuine big smiles.
I remember Katharine, a lovely friend and model for the brand; the first time she put on some of our more risqué stuff, she couldn’t stop staring at herself. You could feel that energy and power radiating from her. Thankfully, too, we’ve spoken to many of our models, and they’ve stated that they enjoy working with us the most, especially compared to other brands. Whether it’s because they feel safe, heard, or just treated well. We’ve had the opportunity to work with a few celebrities now, and they have said the same thing. All the women that wear FDL express that they feel powerful and sexy, and it’s always a pleasure seeing someone so confident and happy in something that we’ve made. Especially if it’s something they had custom-made, some get so emotional and start to cry.
Another cool story, we have this friend and model, Alexandria. She’s a gorgeous performer here in Vegas, and we hired her to be the opening act for our first runway show after rebranding in 2021. She did this breathtaking burlesque dance, and it really put the crowd in this trance. They couldn’t look away, and you could feel the passion in her movements. When we spoke to her the days following the show, she mentioned she was feeling a bit burnt out and was considering stepping down from performing, but our show reinvigorated that passion in her, which was really beautiful to hear.
The best part is that these souls aren’t beautiful because they’re wearing FDL; they’re what makes FDL beautiful. And without them experiencing the brand, there is no FDL. Our roles in the company far supersede the mundane tasks of designers, but rather, at the end of the day, it’s an emotional connection we share with them. That moment they wear our garments and experience their truest self makes this all worthwhile. They already possess their powerful and confident self. Our garments are just a tool to express that and bring it to light.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
JP + FG: Yes! We’re currently working on our newest collection, which we think is really fun, expressive, and unique. There aren’t many companies that make the style of clothing the way we do, so when people discover us and our quality, they are in love. And for the most part, when you find this style of clothes, they tend to be cheap and of low quality. So people have the opportunity to express themselves to the fullest with high-quality, handmade clothing, with FDL as the catalyst.
What advice would you give to other CEOs or founders to help their employees to thrive?
JP + FG: Create a space where they feel comfortable enough to dance and laugh yet be productive, challenge them to take the initiative and learn new things, encourage them to share their ideas to help improve your product/service, inspire them to be their authentic selves and live their dreams, don’t expect them to read your mind — express your expectations and clarify them, share your knowledge and resources with one another, and above all, remind them that you’re a team and we all help one another rise.
I know at times, it may be challenging to be empathetic when you’re running a company, but I recommend this be practiced, too. At the end of the day, it’s our company, and as CEOs / Founders, it is our duty to inspire our team, check in with them, and ensure they share the company’s culture and understand our goals. We’re all on the same team. It’s really just that simple — checking your team’s foundation consistently and reassuring them as their boss is key.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
JP: I’d say my wife, Flor de Liz, my dad, and our life coach Jeff Rogers.
Above all, my wife. Flor de Liz has always been supportive of me and my creativity. She’s always been in my corner and has always been there for me when it gets tough, even before the business. Having a loving wife is something to be so thankful for, and I am. We married young, allowing us to grow together and go through life together. A great aspect of that is that it taught me to love who she will become. We change, and we aren’t who we were, so I get the chance to fall in love with her again and again. She’s a rock, really. Everyone says that about people they know, but it’s true. She’s strong, independent, and incredibly funny. She helps me feel comfortable as myself. We grew up together, too. So we truly are best friends. She’s the best of them, and having her in my life is a blessing. She likes to love because she has a kind heart, which taught me to be more open to receiving it. She’s incredibly funny, which has taught me to be more relaxed and enjoy the little things.
My pop raised me to work hard and keep pushing. Without the mindset to not give up, I wouldn’t be able to achieve what I do, whether it’s big or small. He was a hard worker, but he also learned how to work hard and have fun. I’ve always done my best to work like that; it just makes life more enjoyable. His passing taught me to value the relationships I hold dear to me, and that life is waning. It will end, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it. We don’t know when it’ll end, and we don’t know how long we will have, so enjoy every moment. Enjoy the sweetness of life, and cherish what’s in it. It can be hard, and we all have dark points, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t light.
Our life coach, Jeff Rogers, has been a massive help. He’s been in our lives for three years now, and he’s become family, honestly. There’s so much to talk about there, but above all, he’s helped me learn how to effectively communicate, control my life, and helped guide me in learning how I want be in this world. How I want to have my relationships and how I want to show up in them. Flor de Liz and I have always had a good relationship, but Jeff helped the foundations and gave us the tools to strengthen them.
FG: If it weren’t for Jack-Peter, my parents, or our life coach, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
JP has taught me to be fearless and live my life for my own happiness. He inspires me to be my best self and challenges me to be patient. He supports me in every way imaginable and is my number-one fan. Marrying him was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, even if we got married as teenagers. Experiencing his love daily and from such a young age is a blessing I’ll always be grateful for. He’s also an amazing individual and brings so much talent to FDL. I mean, he is hands down the most creative, explorative, and talented person I know. It’s a privilege to experience him as my lovely husband, my best friend, and my business partner. I never grow tired of him and our relationship. Our dynamic is built on the foundation of growth, laughter, love, and fun. So, every day he teaches me something new. I can only hope he understands how much I admire him.
My parents have raised me to be a hard worker and have always encouraged me to continue learning. They’re always there whenever I need them and are the definition of unconditional love. It’s a blessing and a curse to grow up in a conservative household and be told to be modest. In retrospect, I matured and understood certain perspectives most kids my age wouldn’t grasp. I learned discipline and saw that I had so many great qualities to offer this world. I know most people may hold things like that against their parents, but I don’t. I appreciate everything they’ve taught me because I also learned so much about myself. I learned that my true self is not a modest woman by nature but a strong, expressive woman with a magnetic presence. They were the first friends I ever had and remain my best friends today.
Last but not least, our life coach of three years, Jeff Rogers. He’s taught us many things, but the things that stick out most is that he’s taught us how to communicate effectively and be a better version of ourselves. He’s given us many tools to improve our mindset, communication, and relationships. One of the things I practice most with him is giving support to those in my support group and showing up for myself and others with high accountability. Thanks to his guidance, I’ve reached newer and higher levels of myself and personal goals I was too afraid to experience outside of my dreams.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
JP + FG: We’ve used our success as a means to inspire others to live their dreams and to express themselves without fear of judgment. We use our platform to empower others and remind them that they already possess power, beauty, and seduction. They have to believe it and find it within themselves. FDL spreads the message of being authentic, spreading love, and expressing yourself through fashion. Gone are the days when we had to fit into a mold society had created for us. Uniqueness is celebrated at FDL!
What are the “5 Things You Need To Thrive As A Couple”? Please share a story or example for each.
JP + FG: For us, laughter, deep honesty, open communication, quality time, and fun sex, aha!
Laughter embodies having fun and letting your guard down. You make yourself a fool to make your partner laugh, haha. It’s those moments where you remember why they’re your best friend and that it’s a safe space. Laughter brings us together and tends to create amazing memories with one another.
Deep honesty can be uncomfortable, but a big part of a healthy marriage is being willing to discuss uncomfortable topics. This foundational part of our relationship allows us not to hold back anything, and speak to one another with respect, and prevents resentment from growing within us.
The same can be said for open communication. Sometimes emotion can take over, but in those moments, we either take a breather and pause or walk away and revisit the topic. We have to remind ourselves that it’s us against this topic, and that we need to manage our emotions and come to a compromise that suits both of us.
Quality time is so important for us, especially since we spend most of the day working as business partners. It’s a gentle reminder that we’re a couple first, then business partners. It also grounds us in our relationship and is a healthy way of falling in love with each other more.
And, well, fun sex — haha, it’s pretty self-explanatory. Being explorative and honest opens the relationship to more bonding and trust. It’s not only a physically fulfilling experience but a spiritual one, too.
You are people of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
JP: Saying we’re people of great influence is flattering; thank you! Sometimes, I want to grab someone by the face and tell them not to care what people think! Be yourself, be you, and be proud of it. Judgment is the biggest hindrance to growth for me. We worry about what our friends, family, let alone strangers think. And it holds us back from our potential, to be honest with ourselves, to be happy, to express ourselves. Our souls strive for that, and we hold ourselves back from getting that job, doing that thing, wearing that outfit, whatever it may be. Of course, there are limits, meaning don’t harm yourself or those around you. But wear that one outfit, live that lifestyle, think for yourself, love unconditionally, and have fun doing it!
FG: It would definitely be to spread your light and spread your love. There’s so much energy put into negativity; why not pour energy into positivity instead? I firmly believe that love heals all because, as humans, it’s what we crave most. When we experience love, we feel understood, seen, and cared for, amongst many positive things. I believe that if it’s not love, it’s a lesson for those involved. And, when you spread your light, it’s the highest form of respecting yourself as a soul because you’re being your genuine, authentic self and sharing that beauty with the world.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
JP: I have two, and both are from Star Wars. Both are great, and Star Wars can teach a lot about balance, hope, and fear of loss. “The dark is generous, and it is patient and it always wins — but in the heart of its strength lies its weakness: one lone candle is enough to hold it back…“ It’s from the novelization of Revenge of the Sith. To me, it’s about how love can truly overcome dark times and how it can really change the world. I like to spread love and do my best to be positive because you never know whom it could affect.
The other is: “For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.” It comes from the Master of Masters himself, Yoda. He explains to Luke that we are more than our physical being; we are the Force, the universe. When we die, we become one with the universe; we’re made of stardust. He knows the universe will watch over him and that we’re all connected on a certain level. We can get wrapped up in the here and now, and I take it as if you love the universe; it’ll love you back. Feed kindness to the world; kindness will grow in small ways.
FG: “Silence is a great teacher and to learn its lessons you must pay attention to it. There is no substitute for the creative inspiration, knowledge, and stability that come from knowing how to contact your core of inner silence.” — Deepak Chopra
It’s in my moments of silence and meditation that I’m able to see and conceptualize some of my fashion designs, maybe even some of my stronger ones, too. I have tried looking at a blank page to start designing, creating mood boards, looking at history, and playing with textiles, but closing my eyes and removing distractions has been the most helpful with designing. I’ve also found that listening to instrumental music, going on hikes, or going birding to experience nature also helps bring in silence and help my creativity start flowing. All the traditional methods of designing a new collection aren’t pushed aside but become tools to implement the theme together and make it cohesive. So, Chopra’s quote has made me realize that silence is something healthy and necessary to live an aligned life.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
JP + FG: We would love to meet either Zendaya or Vivienne Westwood; they’re both stellar women.
Zendaya seems so grounded, fun, bold, and quirky. She feels like she’d be a great friend to have and host chill / intimate dinner parties with — she honestly reminds us of some of our friends. We also love being creative, so we see us conceptualizing a fun design with her and just vibing to music together and laughing a lot.
Vivienne Westwood is such a powerhouse woman. She’s unapologetic in her designs and who she is, which is admirable. We feel like our values align with hers — she would be great to talk about how to use our platform fearlessly and to have her as a mentor in the fashion industry. Her attitude, influence, and knowledge are hard to come by.
And, of course, if he was still alive, it would be an honor to have met Alexander Lee McQueen — he was a legend. May he Rest In Peace.
How can our readers follow your work online?
The best ways to connect with us are through our website: FDLbrand.com, or across all social media platforms: @fdlbrand and our personal @flordelizguior and @jpguior! Thanks for interviewing us; we really enjoyed these thought-provoking questions!
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.
Lessons from a Thriving Power Couple, With Flor de Liz and Jack-Peter was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.