TWO BEST FRIENDS, ONE INFLUENTIAL CLOTHING BRAND

LATE Clothing LA is a casual luxury clothing line made for teens by teens. Based in the heart of Los Angeles, this one size fits all brand is an amalgam of coziness and comfort where inclusivity is the essence. From a simple ideology to a conscious decision, LATE is built on love, emotion, a significant recovery, and the vitality of a childhood friendship. Behind every creation is a story. 

LATE's creators, Lalia Susini and Cate Friedberg, coined the term from their initials, Laila (LA) and Cate (TE). After meeting at West Hollywood Elementary School, the girls were submerged in the fashion world early as their families worked in fashion and film. Their passion, coupled with the exposure to quality material, the two young entrepreneurs had an idea. 

Friedberg's father, a fashion connoisseur and designer, blossomed his daughter's interest. She spoke, "I've been around it my whole life. I've spent entire days at his warehouse or office or one of his stores and have seen it all, but I still don't completely understand it. Just seeing how it's created and then seeing it months later in a store is so cool! I love seeing people walk by in his clothing!

Quarantine is what made this idea a reality stating, "We had talked about it forever and then with the lockdown we had a ton of time to pursue it. Our families quarantined together (we only saw each other), so we would get together and create outfits. We started wearing them, and we would have people ask about them. Then Lalia endured an accident, and we KNEW we had to make our dream a reality!"

The two had much more time to plan and sketch out new ideas. DIY projects became the thing to do, and tie-dyeing clothing became the way of life. Then came a significant change. 

However, on October 22nd, things took a tragic turn. Susini sustained a severe injury of which ended in left side paralysis and brain damage. She was rushed to the hospital for emergency brain surgery and, hardly a week later, was already planning with Cate for the next steps for LATE. She spent five days in the ICU at Cedars Sinia Hospital before being transferred to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Miraculously, the young actress only spent 61 days in the hospital after being sentenced to over a year. Still participating in physical and occupational therapy today, Susini is a walking miracle. The first responders who tended to Susini's initial care had a significant part in LATE as the girls say, "Without responders saving Lalia's life, we wouldn't even have a clothing line." The stroke of love most definitely contributed to second chances. 

The duo's first LATE collection is titled "Responders" in dedication to the people who helped saved Laila's life. One of the garments is named after Perez, the first paramedic on the scene from the Los Angeles Fire Department Station 97. To this day, he and Susini are in touch. Another prominent figure who aided in Laila's recovery who also has a garment named after him is Danielpour. Danielpour is a brain surgeon who performed on Susini after her injury. There are many more people like these two who the Susini's are forever grateful for.

Outside of LATE, Susini is an actress with a role in ABC's Season 19. She also holds an interest in soccer, track, BMX riding, surfing, and skating. In addition, Friedberg is a dancer in a dance performance group at Fancy Feet.  

For every piece of clothing sold through LATE, a portion of the proceeds will go to Children's Hospital Los Angeles - Rehab Department. 

"It's Never Too LATE."

Meet the Author

Brianna Vacca is a Philadelphia-based writer. She has an unhealthy addiction to true crime documentaries, celebrity gossip, and writes overly dramatic sad songs.