Meet Michael Kuluva | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Kuluva and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my namesake luxury brand MICHAEL KULUVA after being in the fashion industry with my other label Tumbler and Tipsy for over 12 years. When the pandemic hit, I knew the party aesthetic brand – Tumbler and Tipsy – needed to pivot and I needed to as well. I started the MICHAEL KULUVA brand in 2021 which has been authentic to my current lifestyle with having more quality pieces in my wardrobe over quanitity.

The MICHAEL KULUVA brand is about sustainable classic fashions that can be worn for decades to come or even passed down to another generation. The cuts and styles of the KULUVA brand are timeless plus fashion forward with luxurious materials. Each piece from the collection can be worn with another piece and can crossover, which I really love. Some of our pieces are also gender neutral so anyone can wear them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The MICHAEL KULUVA brand has been years in the making. With my first label, Tumbler and Tipsy, we were very successful with it and the brand exploded onto the scene faster than anyone would of ever thought. During that same time with all of that success, I had a large secret that I was keeping in and also trying to deal with. During the time I was getting my fashion design degree plus starting the brand, Tumbler and Tipsy, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

After being diagnosed, finding the correct medication to be on and re-arranging my life to suit this new lifestyle, I finally was able to get back on track to reaching those dreams. With the help of my school, friends, family and doctors, I was able to show my first collection before I even graduated from FIDM at the infamous Los Angeles Fashion Week. I showed 12 looks which were sold out to retailers immediately.

I did not let my Rheumatoid Arthritis get in the way of my dreams. I would have my manager at the time give the medication to me while at fashion week so I wouldn’t miss any dosages and we really kept it all a secret until I was established enough to bring out my story. It has been 8 years since I have been public about my Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis publicly and I wouldn’t of changed any of those decisions along the way.

My assistants are definitely my hands and eyes sometimes as I cannot physically accomplish everything I have in my vision. With my assistants working with me for so long, we understand each other and are able to communicate with each other for each collection. I am so lucky to have such a great team who understands my disease and that we know as a team we can conquer anything!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite place to bring my best friend is to my home in Palm Springs, California. I love Palm Springs so much as the air is dry and the mountains are just gorgeous. A day in the life as my bestie in PS would include an early walk around the neighborhood. I like to get in 5 miles a day, which helps my arthritis plus I love to look at all the different houses in the area. We will then come back to my house for a light breakfast, maybe a swim in the pool and a little tv before we set out for our day on the town.

We would then go to brunch or lunch at the farm to table restaurant FARM. I would order my favorite Bagel and Lox dish from them with their amazing Jalisco Mule. After we finished eating, we would go walk around the downtown shops with all their mid century pieces and look at all their amazing artwork. I love finding those one of a kind vintage items. The Palm Springs Art Museum is always a place I like to visit as they always have new exhibitions happening.

For the afternoon, we could stop on Arena’s at Blackbook or Chill Bar for a cocktail before heading home for the afternoon to lay by the pool before we get ready for the evening. The evenings in Palm Springs for me could consist of either dining at the super chic Parker hotel or going to my favorite sushi restaurant, Sandfish. After dinner we never know what the evening might entail so we always play it by ear if we are going to stop in at a speak easy for a cocktail or just go home and relax by the outdoor fire under the desert stars.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to make a Shoutout to a few people who have helped the
MICHAEL KULUVA brand succeed. From the very top I would like to thank
the Global Healthy Living Foundation and CreakyJoints for always
believing in my dreams plus for supporting my visions for all of these
years. GHLF and CreakyJoints have been monumental in me having a seat at
the table in the fashion industry. Thank you to Lou, Seth and Joe –
without them I wouldn’t be here doing this interview today.

Second, I would like to thank my friends and family plus my assistants.
Dominique Dior is one of the best seamstresses I have ever worked with
and we have worked from the very beginning from our days at FIDM
(Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) all the way to the New
York Fashion Week Runways. I would like to thank Minoo Mercedes,
Christina Rice and Natalie Corrales for always supporting me and for
always being there each year. I would like to thank, my publicist Kelly
K as she is always on point and is amazing at her job. Thank you Dee for
supporting me and always believing in my vision.

Lastly, I would like to thank my parents Randy and Carol Kuluva. They
are always there to support me and sit front row at all my runway shows.
A BIG thank you to my loyal friends, my partner Cory and my family who
comes to support me each year. Plus a HUGE THANK YOU to all of my
sponsors who supports the MICHAEL KULUVA brand each year at fashion week
– I couldn’t do all this without all of you! And a big kiss to my French
Bulldog Gus who is my biggest inspiration.

Website: http://www.MichaelKuluva.com

Instagram: @MichaelKuluva

Linkedin: MichaelKuluva

Twitter: MichaelKuluva

Facebook: MichaelKuluva

Youtube: MichaelKuluvaOfficial

Other: All brand social media is @KULUVA.

Image Credits
Thomas Concordia/Getty Images.