When New York based brand Live Love Dream (LLD) achieved success as an activewear and athleisure name, with $110 million in annual revenue after just 5 years of existence, Milana Bartolotta wasn’t afraid to leave the brand to follow her dream of creating the refined and lavish garments that she was dreamed of. Her experience designing for brands like Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren and JCrew, and her success at LLD, inspired Milana to established her eponymous brand, now famous for making pieces in which she could express all her artistry and visions: incrusted volant hem dresses, refined fabrics, corsetry, leather outfits and more.
When did you decide to become a fashion designer and set up your own brand? What has influenced your decision?
There really isn’t a time in my life when I didn’t know that I wanted to design clothes. I’m lucky because it kind of feels like it was a calling and now that I’m older I realize that many people spend their entire lives searching for something that I knew from the second I was born. Starting my own brand was just the natural progression. I have worked for many established brands in NYC and although it has been creatively fulfilling career, I have never felt full creative freedom until now. Launching my own line allows me to fully express my individuality and create a brand that embodies a style and aesthetic that is truly my own. I can explore new concepts, experiment with innovative designs and have complete control over every aspect of the brand. It’s also an opportunity to build a legacy and leave my mark on the fashion industry.
Where is your brand located?
The brand was established in New York City. While I have incorporated many stylistic choices that reflect my love for NYC, I am confident that women in any metropolitan area will feel a connection to what my brand stands for.
In the interview for GMARO Magazine you mentioned the Live Love Dream (LLD) brand with active wear you launched. How long did that business last and would you like to bring active wear to your namesake brand?
LLD was such a fun project and, although it is under the Aeropostale umbrella, it organically blew up into its own autonomous mega brand. While I am no longer with LLD, I still feel a connection to the brand that I helped create.
To be frank, I am not a very athletic person myself however when I fell into that segment of the industry, I instantly loved it. While I live by the credo “never say never”, I don’t have plans to expand into athletics at this time.
What inspired or stimulated you to change the direction from active wear to ready to wear?
I would not say it’s a change. I have just as much experience designing for ready to wear brands and have designed for brands like Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren and JCrew.
I design for women who believe it’s impossible to overdress. The woman who is wearing a red patent leather jacket to the grocery store. Or the one who is picking up her kids from daycare in a skin tight bodycon dress and sky high stilettos. That’s her. That’s the MILANA BARTOLOTTA woman. And I have always been inspired to dress her.
What is the most challenging part or parts for you now and what pushes you forward despite all these difficulties?
The list is long. It seems that every step of navigating my own business comes with new set of challenges, which at times seem impossible to overcome. One thing I am learning however is that anything is possible with the right attitude, a ton of persistence and of course, help form the people around me.
What pushes me? Fear and love. The possibility of not being able to do something I love scares me more than any challenge that come my way and fuels my persistence.
What is your main mission as a designer?
To empower women in a way that allows them to retain their femininity and grace.
Do you have a team that helps you make the clothes or do you make all the pieces by yourself?
I have an atelier that I work very closely with in NYC. They help bring my designs to life. Everything else, from marketing and promotion to brand and business development, I am doing on my own.
What fabrics do you prefer to use in your collections?
My favorite fabric to use is leather. It represents everything the brand stands for and the women I design for. The leather is protective, it is supple to the touch but very strong, it is fierce and fragile all at the same time. And if you’ll take good care of it, it will treat you in the same manner.
Who do you design for? For example, who would wear MB better? Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and The City) or Emily (Emily in Paris)?
Love this question! I think the brand is more appealing to women rather than girls. Carrie would rock a lot of my pieces but my true brand ambassador would be Samantha. She was always unapologetically true to herself and that is exactly how I want MB women to feel. Be yourself no matter what. There is nothing more empowering than authenticity.
What is your favorite piece in your collection?
This is like asking a mother to choose her favorite child. I love them all equally (although if I’m being honest, I love Sophia tiny bit more).
When is the release of your new collection and how can we find out about it?
You could sign up for our newsletter on our website www.MilanaBartolotta.com and of course follow our Instagram account @MilanaBartolotta
How can I shop your collection? Do you have worldwide delivery and which retail platforms do you work with?
The collection is currently available for presale in our online store www.milanabartolotta.com and will be made to order throughout the fall/winter season of 2023. We do our best to ship globally. If you are unable to place an order online from your country, just reach out and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
The great thing about being a small, hands-on brand is that I can offer a personalized approach.
