Exclusive Interview: Lila Nikole Rivera of Amaya Swimwear
Allthatsfab.com got a chance to sit down with designer Lila Nikole Rivera of Amaya Swimwear. She talked about everything from her background in fashion, to fashion show disasters, to inspirations for her collections:
AllThatsFab.com: When did you decide that you wanted to be a designer?
Lila Nikole: I grew up in a fashion home, my mother was a designer. I've been involved in fashion since I was a child. It's pretty much always been in me, so this was just natural.
ATF: What made you decide to venture into swimwear, of all markets?
LN: I stumbled into swimwear, I designed some pieces for a school fashion show for the art school I went to, the pieces were in high demand and I started receiving orders. Then it blossomed into a business.
ATF: What makes your swimwear line different from, say, Melissa Obadash,Jessika Allen,or even La Perla Swimwear?
LN: I like to design out the box, I don't do ordinary collections. Jewel tones, hard ware pieces, and the pieces are retired. They're not mass produced.
ATF: What inspired your collections, and how did you come up with the names of each?
LN: My collections are always inspired by moods I'm in, the music I listen to, whatever I'm going through at the moment, parks, outdoors, everything.
ATF: Every designer has that moment where it's like "oh my God, I can't believe so & so has on my clothing"... what was that moment for you?
LN: Keyshia Cole [Heaven Sent], I remember watching the video like, "oh, wow!". It was totally unexpected!
ATF: Who would you love to see wearing your swimsuits?
LN: Great question... hmm, let me think.... Roselyn Sanchez, because she has a strong demeanor, she's a strong woman, her essence...
ATF: Do you plan on expanding your line out side of swimwear?
LN: Yes, definitely! Accessories, handbags, complimentary pieces, and a children's line.
ATF: What kind of woman do you make your swimwear for?
LN: A Fashion forward, fashionista, a trendseter, a secure, strong woman. Someone who demands attention.
ATF: If I'm not mistaken, you were a stylist before deciding to launch Amaya Swimwear, what made you step out and say "you know what, this is my time!"?
LN: I went from school immediately into my line! There was no sitting down and deciding to start the line.
ATF: What was the craziest thing that ever happened right before or during a fashion show?
LN: I had these beautiful light colored hand beaded pieces, and this model was on her period and she bled right through it! I had to pull her out AND the looks. It was my 3 favorite looks, the best pieces for the show. She didn't even say anything, she just put the looks right back on rack! And she was my favorite model, I liked her look, so she had the most looks!
ATF: What was your favorite fashion show that Amaya Swimwear participated in?
LN: Function Fashion Week, it was 2 years ago. It was my 'Blackout Collection'. The reason is because things weren't working out personally, so I made this really dark, edgy collection, and it really transferred well. My show got the most press and I received a lot of orders!
ATF: What is your favorite vacation spot? And which one of your collections embodies that place most?
LN: St. Tropez, because it's rich, glitzy, upscale and very fashion forward. I think the Golden Rage collection embodies that the most!
ATF: For all the young girls and boys who want to own their own line of clothing, what advice do you have for them?
LN: Well, this is the advice I have for anyone in general, believe in yourself, stay motivated & dedicated, push & persevere, and if u hear no & don't feel like its a valid no, go for it anyway & try for what u want!
ATF: That is very good advice!
You can check out the Amaya Swimwear line on the official website.
