Today we’d like to introduce you to Liliana Montoya
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
LILIANA MONTOYA swim founded in 2006 and Established in the United States since 2009 have come through a path of awakening and finding fashion as purpose.
Welcome to my journey a Mother, a Fashion designer with a master in Marketing , Entrepreneur, Creative director & producer of my Campaigns & Runways with the intense desire to push the boundaries of conscious swimwear and promote the meticulously crafted art of my roots and cultural ancestors.
Fashion has the power to not only redefine our industry , but become a role model for others to help reinvent our daily rituals .
Swimwear is one of the apparels that are tied closest to personal feelings of adequacy and confidence. Because of this my career as an Artist/Designer actually has more of an impact on culture than most people think.
I am an environmental activist , vegetarian, with a healthy lifestyle and conscious routines.
Modeling has been a huge part of my journey life and has helped me to invest in my company, self-entrepreneur, sales agent and multitasking at full label. I am proudly 42 years old , youthful at every stage of my life with good habits
As a DNA Iconic mark, when I was a child, I replaced the M from my last name as a signature with a Heart and it became the registered trademark of my brand.
Each bikini includes a gold touched heart ornament that represents the deepest appreciation of what I do for living.
Liliana Montoya’s collections have been featured in runways like Mercedes Benz Fashion Week ( the only colombian designer to be at the last MBFW in miami 2015), Miami International Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week the Show, Cartagena fashion week, Art Heart Fashion, Paraiso & Funkshion Swim Week. And the bikinis have been on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar “Argentina” (Jan /15), and in editorials of Magazines such as Sports Illustrated, FHM, Maxim, GQ, Women’s Health, Seventeen, Marie Claire, and many more.
With more over than 18 years of experience . My brand is a woman business owner with a retail store at Lincoln road for 2 years with an outstanding customer service experience ranked 5 stars at google reviews .
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have found my purpose in a joinery of resilience , facing the setbacks, straggles , multiple doors closing and rejection from many people who said It was not possible that as a model, fashion designer and self-made entrepreneur could do it all.
Despite the stones, I have remained determined, continuing refining my story and improving the quality of my Pitch & portfolio .
My journey is an example of strength , discipline and perseverance , qualities required to maintain in the industry , and emphasizing the importance of unwavering beliefs in my vision despite the numerous obstacles.
I am in a stage where growing and expanding with my team is a key to go to the Next label and I am willing to focus on developing my creativity & talents and hire the right team to build a strong brand, As not having the resources have forced me to do multiple jobs in order to keep running my business but deep inside is so challenging and burning at the same time because I do not need to prove any one my capacity, I am only willing to give my best.
Building a brand while making an impact is my foundation to keep a sustainable business, and I am so grateful to do What I do for living and share my talents to the world materializing my vision as I am a believer of growing in community with the right team, the right venue to maximize my gifts.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Liliana Montoya swim We are more than a bikini body for a bikini season.
Our philosophy #sizeyourheart is to work daily on improving our actions to become the best version of ourselves.
Bikinis, accessories, cover-ups, and products to help us enjoy our daily rituals and to live a life with purpose while helping others.
Our philanthropic apparel line seeks to promote the welfare of the most vulnerable communities from Latin-America. The meticulously handmade garments are thread by hand by skilled craftswomen in Colombia.
Some of the garments have accessories woven with fibers representing ancestral culture and connection with the natural environment.
Through my brand, as a designer I seek to give back to my roots, donating 10% of net proceeds from the bracelets & anklets to the charity statement collection #SizeYourHeart.
We are focused on meeting the needs of the Conscious Heartfelt markets without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their requirements.
A key fact to note is that many of the bikinis are reversible and can be worn in a multitude of ways, creating unique looks for every customer to add their own identity and style to their looks. Instead of purchasing one piece with a singular function, buyers support sustainability and multi-purpose products, combatting fast fashion and limiting waste.
Generating awareness in our consumers to acquire value-quality products, helping with the environmental impact that fashion has on the industry, Producing garments with a high percentage based on recycled materials and supporting the collective workforce.
Our last Campaign was shot at the Amazonas where we were available to give back to our social project, Mother Earth is the basis of life, the condition for subsistence and community and collective social order, laws that are based on the reproduction and preservation of the animal and plant world.
The indigenous tribes have maintained a coexistence that goes through the balanced distribution of resources and a harmonious relationship with the planet. Their ancestral cosmovision seeks to understand ourselves as everything that surrounds us.
As a company founded on the principles of nature appreciation, we are continuously evolving, converting progressively into a sustainable brand with eco-friendly products.
We are highly motivated to be part of the environmental solution, with 70% of their garments made of recycled plastic bottles and No wasting water as the print process is digital.
Encouraging consumers to stay curious and involved in supporting quality instead of quantity.
Our brand looks out to inspire with a deeper understanding of how supporting small business highlighting how daily routines & consumer choices helps to combat climate change.
Being socially ethical and environmentally responsible as possible with our journey, we are not there yet but we are giving to the industry our grain of sand.
We are not perfect, neither 100% sustainable, but we are progressively working to improve technology, service, supplies and quality.
#SizeYourHeart is a lifestyle and motivating movement for the resilient generation
LMswim brand has a wide portfolio of garments from Bikinis, Trikinis, cover-ups , Resort wear , Accessories, Towels and clothing for the family and collaborations with other designers such as hats, bags, sandals, jewelry, anti-temporal products to enjoy throughout the year.
The concept of Mermaids has been part of our ADN, while shooting campaigns around the world and giving opportunities to the new talents emerging in the industry.
We are Mermaid Makers, weaving tales of craftsmanship and sustainability.
Our creations echo the timeless allure of the sea, crafted with care and reverence for the Earth.
where every piece tells a story and every wearer finds their own unique voice
What makes you happy?
To live with purpose, embracing the abundant blessings the Universe offers us each day.
To nurture my good habits and rituals—waking up early to work out, ( to be Fit is a state of Mind ) meditate, journal, and immerse myself in books that inspire spiritual growth.
To live my life to the fullest, sharing my many talents with the world.
To bring creativity into my work—welcoming customers at my store, connecting with our wonderful community on social media, and making each moment count.
Most importantly, to create cherished memories with my son—taking him to sports and playdates, preparing breakfast for my family, enjoying the beauty of the beach and nature, and participating in sweatlodges and sacred ceremonies.
Here’s to a life of purpose, connection, and joy!
Pricing:
- Bikinis average $160
- Cover ups average $210
- ResortWear $260
- Heart Bracelts $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lilianamontoya.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilianamontoyaswim/?hl=es-la
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LILIANAMONTOYAswim/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEH77w7hnnAuM-gslaJ9koA
