Photos Thomas Probosch
Talent Lina O´Connor
Words and interview Andrea Probosch
Thomas and me met Lina in Spring 2004, we were working backstage at ModaLisboa for Númeromagazine Portugal and Lina was walking the shows of Ana Salazar, Filipe Oliveira Baptista and guest designer Sonia Rykiel. A month later we were photographing an editorial in East London´s cult club and gallery space “The Jaguar Shoes“ and Lina was in the model package we received from Premier Models.It just clicked between Thomas and Lina and when we founded ZOOT in 2005, Lina was the only model who graced two ZOOT covers, #4 and #8: In 2006 “The secuction of a Minotaur”, photographed in Paulo Vieiras iconic rosé pink hair salon close to Avenida Liberdade and “Hormonally yours”, an advertorial for Diesel, photographed in LX Factory. We were the first ones who moved there to opened our studio and ZOOT´s atelier space. The name LX Factory was invented at our kitchen table by our friend and architect Antonio Folgado, who invited us into the project. Lina´s 2007 ZOOT cover shot in one of the elevators at LX Factory, was even featured in Heath Ledger´s last film “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” by Terry Gilliam.
When Lina moved back from Europe to California 15 years ago, we stayed in touch and worked together on various smaller projects. In Winter 2024, Thomas had the chance to stay in Los Angeles for a short film project, with Lina performing as a detective in one of the leading roles. One early morning, they found time to pack some clothes and take some photos around Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Lina had been wanting to do this for a while, and Thomas was well up for just following her around with the camera while she was posing in front of some of her favourite places.
In the interview below, Lina talks about her personal insights into upcycling fashion, her love for life and the historic, walkable stretch of the Sunset Strip, which has been undergoing big changes but hasn’t lost its fascinating locations.
Jawalking the iconic Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, starting at 7am.
ZOOT: Last time we worked together for ZOOT in print in Lisbon back in 2006 and 2007, when you were modelling. We first met backstage at Moda Lisboa in 2005, which was nearly 20 years ago now. We’ve stayed friends over the years and this November, Thomas had the chance to work with you again in Los Angeles, where you’ve been living for over 15 years now. What have you been up to? Can you give us a very fast forward from you being a fashion model based in Paris and London to being an artist and entrepreneur in Los Angeles?
Lina: Oh my god, what have I been up? Well so many different things… I started a fashion line and before that started a production company and styled. I believe I brought one of your clients over… I also dipped my hands into acting and I booked a couple of shows . Nothing super big, I never became a Meryl Streep but I was happy to have gotten that far. It’s not easy but lots of fun…. I’ll tell you that. I feel now that am over all the bs and don’t care. Which I feel I’m actually a better actress with that mentality.
Sunset Tower, art deco building from 1929, located on 8358 Sunset Boulevard.
ZOOT: How did you get involved in upcycling fashion, please tell us a little about your brand GUTAI and your motivation for the collection.
Lina: When I closed my company Unveil project in 2017 due to some clerical errors I was devastated. I worked so hard and put a lot of my savings into that company. I decided I wasn’t gonna give up and I was gonna take something from nothing. I went into my garage and took every last piece of fabric every last piece of fabric and create something and that’s how GUTAI began.
All pieces I produce for GUTAI are handmade of deadstock, vintage or upcycled fabrics. Up to now its direct orders but I hope I will be able to launch GUTAI for a bigger audience end of 2025.
The Comedy Store, legendary stand-up comedy club founded 1972, performers including Robin Williams, Eddy Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carry, Whoppie Goldberg, David Letterman; located on 8433 Sunset Blvd.
Overlooking downtown Los Angeles.
ZOOT: Can you tell us about the editorial you did with Thomas, how did you put the styling together? What was the main idea/inspiration for the editorial?
Lina: Well, seen that we were on such a time crunch and I was working in the daytime and then we were shooting the short film from Thomas when I had my days off — I literally threw a bunch of stuff in my suitcase, rushed out the door and threw it together as we went. But I wanted to do this shoot around Sunset Strip for 15 years, so I had the vision in my mind, and it was easy to just create it with my favorite photographer, Thomas, who brings out the best of me. It was very easy to make it and it was very fun.
Sunset Plaza, celebrated outdoor shopping mall founded in 1924, located on 8623 Sunset Blvd.
ZOOT: How important is music in your live, what is currently on your playlist?
Lina: Music has definitely shaped my entire life. I use music to help improve my well-being, manage pain, and express myself. Lately I am listening to Tibetan Singing Bowls and more of a curated playlist to elevate my mind by using different tones. Also a self imposed research on how to use music to heal. My playlist became Binaural tones and Mantras, I feel it elevates my mind and its said to repair neurotransmitters. I am not a doctor but I feel the soothing effects.
“I bought them to look like Kurt Cobain in High School”.
Mutato Muzika full-service music production company established in 1989 by DEVO co-founder Mark Mothersbaugh is based in the historic UFO-like building, designed for a plastic surgeon in 1967 by Brasilian star architect Oscar Niemeyer. It was named “The Beauty and Youth Pavilion” back then; located on 8760 Sunset Blvd.
ZOOT: How important are environmental issues for you? Is climate change something you can see happening directly around you?
Lina: Very important. I treat our earth like I would treat my mother. Being that said, “mother earth” is life and without her we have no life. I think no matter what we see here [in Los Angeles], it truly is everywhere we go due to natural disasters and pollution. I currently no longer have a car and I walk a lot and I try to contribute in my own way. I primarily shop at secondhand stores and then redo all my clothes through that way. I do all the little things that I can do to contribute to helping our mother which helps every single one of us every day.
Dan Tana´S renowned Italian restaurant, opened 1964, located on 9071 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Of my favorite places to to eat and play video games. PAC Man… pasta and pac man after a good show life could not be better!
second-hand fake snake-skin ZARA high heels.
ZOOT: You mentioned, Sunset Strip where you photographed with Thomas “was your playground for the past 15 years”. What do you mean by that and how did the Strip change in the past years?
Lina: Its my neighbourhood, it feels like home. I went out here with my friends, visited art galeries, went to the venues, just made it our playground, in those light years before the pandemic you could just make everything your own. Now things have changed, in recent years, Sunset Boulevard has become more upscale. There are more high-end restaurants and stores, and many of the old nightclubs and famous music venues have been replaced by new ones. But the area still has a reputation for entertainment and celebrity culture, just in a more sophisticated way. It lost its rawness and freedom with less membership clubs and stuff, but it’s still fun. I believe in going with the flow because also new things can bring interesting vibes.
Dan Tana, a former soccer star from Yugoslavia, opened the restaurant in this little yellow house in 1964. The 70’s brought a huge Rock’N’Roll scene and the location was close to all the clubs and became a late night place to hang out after the parities and shows… It’s still the same today!
Harajuku style leopard print skirt, also vintage from Japan.”
ZOOT: You were born in Kona Hawaii to a Columbian father and a Canadian mother. You lived in a VW bus with your parents before moving to a small town in CA; you studied in Paris, traveled the world. Where do you feel home and what does home mean to you?
Lina: SLO (San Luis Obispo) in California… it has been called one of the happiest places in America, thanks to its location, pedestrian-friendly architechture, and lack of fast-food restaurants. As I get older I go back more often. My appreciation for family and community is very important to me, along with health and happiness. And San Luis has it all. I only lived in Hawaii till I was four but I do enjoy going back there. It’s absolutely stunning and beautiful magical place.
The Troubador, esteemed West Hollywood music club, opened in 1957, known for performances of Neil Diamond, Elten John, Eagels – amongst many more, located on 9081 Santa Monica Blvd.
I used to love to go see bands, then get late night dinner or even end up with the band at Dan Tana’s or Rainbow Room… it was always an adventure with no limits. We used to play and run around and now things are so restricted and have changed and more limited not as free anymore.
ZOOT: You worked in many projects, from modeling, styling, production, designing, acting and in charity. What´s most dear to you, what´s next?
Lina: All my ventures have different aspects and gifts that have shaped my life, inspiration, and fed my soul to keep going. My mission at this point is to design a company geared toward giving back and helping others: “Healing arts”
Zoot has been one of the most dear teams I have work with. I love the freedom and the way Andrea and Thomas create their creative visions and adventures. They really take you one journey and out of yourself…definitely healing.
Helmut Newton and and the Cuba shoot are up there too…
But most of all, teaching English in Burma was life changing and opened my eyes to an unseen culture. Working with the children’s Hospital in Guatemala and the joy and healing powers that arts gave to these children and to me made me realize my purpose is to be of service.
Energy of healing arts is the creation that keeps my flame burning.
Thank you Lina!
To boot….
GUTAI by Lina O´Connor
@iamgutai I in 2025: www.gutai.shop
Lina O´Connor, model and entrepreneur
@iamgutai I www.linaoconnor.com
View more of Lina O´Connor here on ZOOT.
