#AmanqiLoves: Reina Olga


 

With the temperatures soaring & the sun finally shining in all its glory, we’re already thinking about our summer escapades & corresponding wardrobes (What is the perfect vacation without the perfect ensembles to go with it?). Thus, we were more than excited to discover contemporary luxury label, Reina Olga. Imbibing a laid-back, resort wear aesthetic, this label is quickly gaining momentum as the ‘go-to’ label for summer essentials. Making each of its pieces in small ateliers on the outskirts of Italy, which are experts in craftsmanship & tailoring, the label ensures each & every detail is designed in-house. Demonstrating such a great dedication to detailing & representing a fresh aesthetic, we sat down with the Reina Olga founder, Guia, to discover more about their journey, SS18 ‘must-haves’ & insider tips.

 


 

Reina Olga

Photo: Courtesy of Reina Olga

The Reina Olga Journey

 

Guia: The birth of Reina Olga is a rather unromantic story – I never dreamt of being a designer, nor of having my own brand for that matter. However I was fired from my last consultancy, and being extremely proud & stubborn, I decided to start a brand with my last month’s retainer, just to prove a point.

Turns out designing is a blast, but definitely not my gift or talent. For every collection that actually goes public, I design, sample and trash another two.

 

The Many Sources of Inspiration

 

Guia: Everywhere! I look at old family vacation photos to try and spot that awesome 90s bikini in the crowd (this is my favorite form of research), but I also use pinterest a lot. The 80s and 90s are always a big inspiration – somehow people seemed to have a lot more fun with shapes and colors back then.

 

Reina Olga

Photo: Courtesy of Reina Olga

The Impact of Social Media

 

Guia: Instagram made this journey possible. It provided a global window for us to show who we are and what we do right from the beginning.

 

A Usual Day in Guia’s Life

 

Guia: Let’s begin by pointing out I live in St Moritz, which is in the Swiss Alps, so my usual day is most likely not what you’d expect. I wake up around 8am, take my dog Alice for a walk at our usual frisbee training spot (we will make it to the olympics at some point i’m sure…), then I pack my backpack with my computer and fabric swatches and head up the mountains either with skis or snowboard with Alice,  (it depends on my mood and on the weather).

I ski a bit, then stop somewhere with a breathtaking view, take out my laptop and start working. I’ll occasionally take a short break and go skiing, of course.

Then home, work a bit more, meet up with friends for an aperitivo, make some sort of experiment for dinner (which usually results in a full on kitchen explosion), and then pass out.

 

Reina Olga

Photo: Courtesy of Reina Olga

SS18 Essentials & Closet ‘Must-Haves’

 

Guia:I literally live in Reina Olga one pieces, denim hot pants, We Are Leone silk coveR ups, and Ambleme sandals.

 

The Insider Tip for Aspiring Designers

 

Guia: Here are my 2 biggest tips: 1) Discipline is key. It’s tough being creative while making sure the business runs smoothly too, so make sure you are well organized. 2) An idea is only as good as the team behind it: find a partner ASAP. Being a lone wolf isn’t fun and actually turns you into a crazy person with weird cat lady hair.

 

Reina Olga

Photo: Courtesy of Reina Olga



 

Follow Reina Olga: @reinaolga_beachwear