Meet Lianne Almeida | Fashion Designer

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

Hi Lianne, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When starting a fashion brand, there’s a lot to think about—so much that I couldn’t even put a dent into what my thought process should’ve looked like. To briefly touch the surface, I just wanted to get started as soon as possible.

Since I knew I wanted a brand from a very young age, it was really only a matter of when. For the past couple of years, I just kept reminding myself that I was ready for it. I knew there were 500+ things to think about, but the lingering thought that made me start was my inner child’s urgency to chase her dream.

So, I completely changed my entire work life, found the right people to get me started, and decided now is the time. When you know you want to pursue something, there doesn’t have to be a lengthy thought process—just listen to your heart and get started.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being only 25 years old, you would think everything before this was easy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I was always so eager to chase my dreams that I began interning at 18, days before my first semester of college even started. I was not the girl to hear, “The fashion industry is hard,” and not do anything about it.

My journey to launching my own brand actually started in the media realm of things after deciding to study fashion. I knew my calling was to own a brand one day and I already had the artistic talent for it, so I decided to become an expert on the other half of the industry: fashion business.

It all started with a fashion writing internship at a magazine, then a PR internship, and finally, a design apprenticeship with an independent designer. I didn’t stop for anything—I was so determined to learn it all while I was in school. My intern experience wasn’t the Devil Wears Prada, but it also wasn’t the glitz and glam you see on Pinterest. During those years, I covered NYFW, casted brand shoots, hosted interviews, and did a whole lot of writing and sketching.

Since then, I transitioned to becoming an independent fashion editor and writer, where I now work with 15+ brands and platforms in and out of fashion. However, It wasn’t until January of last year when I decided to build my brand. I gathered all of my experience and set out to find the right team to help me get started. Which again, sounds easy, but it was actually very hard. When you’re new within such a big industry, let alone transitioning from another sector, it can be challenging to start all over.

The truth is, traveling to and from NYC week after week is hard. Attending NYFW is actually very exhausting. Writing 10,000+ words a week puts me in frequent burnouts. Designing clothes is more expensive than you can imagine. Having to be creative 24/7 is draining. Networking as an introvert feels impossible at times. And honestly, fashion is as hard like they say it is.

But even after all of that, I don’t regret a thing. These experiences have all prepared me to be the best designer that I was meant to be—not just for little me, but for everyone. I’ve sat in the editor’s seat covering all sorts of stories on brands—the good and the unethical. Now, I’m just excited to contribute something fresh and positive to this industry.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know about my brand, it’s that it took a lot to get here. I was the first-generation kid to entrepreneurs who had big dreams with no connections. This same story of resiliency is sewn into each and every garment I produce. You may just see a dress, but behind each design is a little girl determined to change the world through fashion.

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.
Honestly, I’m somewhat of a homebody in the states, so a better question might be where would I want to book a trip with friends. I’m constantly working so anywhere around home makes me want to just stay in and sip some wine to good music. But if we’re talking outside of the US, that itinerary would look completely different.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Every person who has worked with me on a project or crossed paths with me deserves credit. I’m a firm believer that no dream is possible without the help of others—and this includes both small and large acts of support.

Whether it was joining me on a 4 am trip to NYC or simply shooting me a message of encouragement, it all means the world. To feel seen and celebrated for your hard work is a good feeling and something we can all relate to.

I’m just forever grateful to have a partner, family, friends, and even strangers who understand my vision and want to see it come to life too. Even with a small circle, I have all of the support I could ever ask for.

Website: www.liannealmeida.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liannealmeida/

Image Credits
Photography by Carnell Jones III & DM Creations NYC