Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Hernandez Philipps.
Hi Janet, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a Peruvian-born designer residing in Santa Monica, CA. After many years in the business, I finally launched my own label of sustainable swimwear and resortwear. As a one-woman show, the thought of starting my own business, in the middle of a pandemic no less, was quite a terrifying feat to say the least. I had to pause a few times due to lockdowns and economic uncertainty but was finally able to launch in Sept. 2022. I learned so much, had many ups and downs and sacrificed everything you could possibly think of. But I would say that it made me stronger as a new start-up business owner and I wouldn’t change it for the world because it’s the one thing that is truly mine, funded and created solely by me; which is the one thing I am the most proud of! I’m also happy to say that I was able to create a line that is completely environmentally conscious too. From recycled to organic fabrics to eco-friendly packaging to minimizing waste by producing in small quantities, the Valentina Atelier brand is committed to the preservation of our planet which helps keep post-consumer waste from landfills and keeps our oceans cleaner.
As a new brand, I am excited for what the future holds and cannot wait to start on my next collection!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Ha! No, it was not a smooth road. Even after all these years in the business, nothing will quite prepare you for the challenges one faces when you start your own brand. Being a one-man-show with a very limited start-up budget means that I had to do pretty much everything on my own. There were so many challenges along the way but I would say the most challenging was the production hiccups that I had with my manufacturing partners right before my launch. Both were resolved but one partner I had to walk away from. It’s challenges like these that one must learn to expect and overcome which is also an important reminder that building solid relationships with partners is crucial as you have to depend on them to come thru for you. Another huge challenge as a designer is when to stop! Over-designing and picking apart, your own creative process can be a detriment. There is no harsher critic that yourself and learning to overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome is key for any successful entrepreneur.
Thru all these challenges and others that were too many to list, I learned a lot about myself and my own resilience which in the end, has made me a stronger person!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the Founder and Creative Director of Valentina Atelier, a high-end sustainable women’s Swimwear and Resortwear brand, which launched last Sept of 2022. My brand is a mix of island bohemian nostalgia and jet-set appeal. I am extremely proud that my whole collection is sustainable -from eco-friendly & deadstock fabrics (which is leftover fabric from production houses) to recyclable packaging to consciously curated pieces. I strive to create pieces with maximum quality and tailoring in mind, which means never having compromise on quality and style while doing good for the planet! Our mission is always to be a slow fashion brand focused on sustainability!
I’m also proud to work with minority and women-owned factories in the heart of Los Angeles.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Yes! I’m really big on personal connections. A year before my launch, I joined a mentor group that helped me thru the launch process. I cannot express the amount of invaluable support that I received from this group. I was able to bounce ideas off my mentor and share common struggles and aspirations with fellow peers, which is crucial when starting a brand on your own. Thru this group, I also learned to ask for help and to feel comfortable putting myself out there, which can be frightening at times, but I’m still working on it!
I’ve also recently joined a global platform for Latin American Fashion and Design to help me expand my connections and thrive thru a community of like-minded designers such as myself! It’s also so exciting to join a platform that keeps me close and connected to my South American roots!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.valentinaatelier.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valentinaatelierofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063629400002
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/VALENTINA_ATEL
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/shop_valentinaatelier/
Image Credits
Model- Marina Braunn Model- Anya Benton (girl in black bikini eating pizza) Photographer- Abe Bermudez H/MUA- Anait Lopez
