Today we’d like to introduce you to Anita Aguirre.
Hi Anita, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m the founder and designer behind Girl & a Serious Dream – a line of timeless attire and accessories designed to celebrate all those special life moments that call for something extraordinary. I’m originally from Lima, Peru, and I’m currently based in Gainesville, Florida. I came to the United States to become an architect, and I am now a fashion designer with my own brand. My passion for design started a long time ago – I followed my creative impulses through college and graduated from architecture and design school. As an architect, I’ve always loved experimenting with color, form, and texture so soon after I graduated, it just felt natural to use my design background to create loungewear and lingerie for myself. Once I shared my designs online, Girl & a Serious Dream started to get lots of love, inquiries to order and features in well-known blogs, magazines, and social media pages. Later, the feedback I kept hearing from my clients was about “how great the pieces made them feel.” It made me realized that my mission was to make women feel confident and that I had to take it seriously; that day in 2012, Girl & a Serious Dream was born. Since then, my business has grown from just me to a team of girls making beautiful things happen and dreams come true.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Getting started was quite exciting, challenging, and demanding at the same time. As an architect, I spent most of my professional time drafting and designing and was used to long working hours, but I had to learn all the ins and outs of becoming a fashion designer from scratch while running the business side full-time. The process involved lots of work, dedication, patience, and trial and error. Keeping a positive attitude, being curious, and having the support of my family, team, clients, and industry friends helped me move forward. After all the hard work and late nights, my design work and business started to blossom. It’s been gratifying — especially when I receive lovely cards, emails, and photos from clients wearing my designs on their wedding day, maternity shoot, or special occasion. It’s a dream come true.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do or specialize in? What are you known for and most proud of?
I’m a fashion designer and entrepreneur behind Girl & a Serious, a loungewear and lingerie brand founded with the mission of making women feel stunning and empowered from the inside out. Lingerie is intimate, worn in direct contact with the skin, and closely tied to a woman’s feelings. We respond to this real need for intimates and accessories that make women feel good about themselves, with a collection of well-designed pieces created with high-quality materials like soft French lace and silks. All made with mindful craftsmanship, delicate details, and of course, impeccable fit. We are known for our French lace robes, silk kimonos, and rompers. Our designs are timeless and based on consumer lifestyles, filled with special occasions, events to go, anniversaries to celebrate, staying at home, and many others. I’m most proud of building a brand that I love working on every day, having a fantastic team, getting to meet, collaborating with many talented people, and genuinely enjoying working with all of my lovely clients. Our most crucial point of differentiation is in our unique design concepts and fit. Our clients love that we create our own lace textiles and the quality and fit of our products.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’m an adventurous risk-taker by nature. I believe risk-taking is necessary for any entrepreneurial venture and life in general. To get my business to where I am now, I have taken many risks and got out of my comfort zone many times. For me, taking risks involves careful planning, hard work, being intentional, and creating opportunities, not waiting for them. It’s a chance to learn essential skills such as managing eventualities, strategic thinking, planning, experience failure, and, therefore, learning from mistakes. I believe that doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@girlandaseriousdream.com
- Website: https://www.girlandaseriousdream.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlandaseriousdream/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/girlandaseriousdream
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/aseriousdream
- Other: https://www.girlandaseriousdream.com/pages/our-story
Image Credits
Photos of me in my studio: Lauren Kinsey
Lookbook photos: Sarah Kate photo
