Interview with Connie Borja, Executive Producer of Los Angeles Swim Week and fashion designer
What is current fashion industry, especially the swimwear industry, in California like?
Swimwear these days is an unstoppable force in the fashion industry. People are more conscious about healthy lifestyles and social living is not a stranger to Californians. Sunny days, great beaches, surfers, models, celebrities and locals and visitors are the strong points to keep swimwear designers active. Rocking a bikini and beach inspired dresses has reached critical mass popularity and this trend isn’t going away anytime soon.
This trifecta is fueling the fire behind start-ups and established brands within the industry, and the result is a high-stakes marketplace that is driving a higher level of innovation with design, materials, and craftsmanship.
What do the LA women look for in a swimwear and how you meet these expectations in you designs?
For some people, buying a bikini could be an intimidating experience or straight up discouraging. Every body shape is different and everyone has different needs when it comes to the right bikini. Woman want to feel conformable and sexy in their bikini and also want to follow the latest trends.
A designer will have to fill those expectations with collections that have many different styles.
What is the approach to the manufacturing process among fashion designers in LA – is there any sign of local manufacturing revival?
Absolutely, Made in LA is the new must for consumers that love product made in USA, reactivating economy, and being able to control the manufacture process and the quality if think is very important for everyone.
Do the designers target offshore markets or rather focus on the US customers only?
Is a mix of both, USA market is one of the biggest of all and i think we should focus first to US customers, but with the economy changing constantly and the globalization, designers are always looking to expand towards other markets.
There is a huge hype about innovation and modern technology – how does swimwear evolve, what news solutions are used?
LE Textile producer of stretch fabrics swimwear and sportswear and lace for lingerie, has developed a special collection based on Tencel lyocell fabric, for soft and better comfort. The newly developed soft fabrics offering sustainability advantages, reinforcing the use of materials and production processes. Intelligent fabrics, UV sun save, chlorine-resistant among modern technology is added to swimwear fashion. Most of fashion designers are looking to add extra benefits to keep their brands competitive with the new market requirements.
What message would you convey to the people who consider career in fashion design? Is it worth trying, what to expect and what good advice to keep?
My advice is to go a school and start studying the market before to launch any brand. Intern with other brand and understand the new marketing strategy, fashion is changing, be prepare to spend money and time, practice smarts moves. Being in the industry for 4 years, my best advice is to be really original and express yourself ,work hard and keep creating new trends. Best of luck to the new designers, Los Angeles has talent and should be the next fashion city to look after, we depend on new ideas and creative professionals.
What you are the most proud of with regards to the Los Angeles Swim Week and what is your vision for the future?
Love this question, LASW is a dream waiting to be bloom, I visualize a swim week full of innovative surprises, we are creating a team that belongs to this specific industry. With the second edition we are ready to prove that Los Angeles has what it takes. California is the state with one of the most desirable weather in the world, the home of surfers, models, active people who love to be fit and this is just the right time to bring this event to town.
So far we had many international designers from Japan, Greece, Italy, Colombia, Australia, Sweden, Thailand and many from USA. Our vision is to grow professionally enough to extend the one day fashion show to a full week.
