Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Celia Bernardo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Celia, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Traveling and immersing myself in new cultures! It has always been a passion of mine, I find and collect the most interesting textiles, pieces, and trinkets which I then pull from for inspiration. I moved away from home into a completely different culture at a very young age, I guess it has taken away the fear of the unknown for me, and it has now become a need of mine!
Whenever I feel stuck, I like to look through the things I bring back with me from my trips. They take me back to the place where I found them, to what I felt, the people I was with… this always helps me get back on track!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As a profoundly curious and creative person, I always knew I wanted to create things. I dabbled with jewelry for a bit when I spent a summer in Ibiza, and after that I spent 10 years working within the fashion industry before I moved to Shanghai. I kept myself busy during that time, I had the opportunity to travel (both for work and for pleasure), I dived into my love for color, contrast, wool and textiles by creating and exploring with knits, crochet and creating my own clothing pieces. This encouraged me to launch my lifelong dream in 2012, my own brand.
I started the brand in Shanghai, where I lived for almost a decade. I moved back to my hometown (Oviedo, north of Spain) in 2020 and have since then been fortunate enough to build my team both in Oviedo and Shanghai.
Above all else, I aspire to design fun, statement and timeless pieces that celebrate the joy of life in all its forms. Our mission is to create different and original pieces, that go beyond trends and that are long lasting.
We’ve just finished off a very busy month, September was the launch of our AW23 collection, Hues of Happiness, which has been a huge success so far!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
However much of a cliché it is, it doesn’t make it any less true: determination is definitely at the top of the list. Business books give a very sugar-coated view of the startup process, they talk about motivation and passion… but these will only get you so far. Starting a business involves many challenges and sacrifices that will make you want to quit time and time again!
Secondly, I’d emphasize curiosity. I haven’t heard many people talk about this one… but specially in fashion design, being curious about different cultures, different types of work and ways of living… that’s what led me to move to the other side of the world to start my professional journey! And so many people thought I was crazy… As I said earlier, so much of my creativity and inspiration comes from the experiences I have lived, I would not have gotten anywhere without it.
Finally, learn to take breaks and prioritize yourself! Balance is such an important aspect of life so that you can continue to produce your best work. I know how hard it can be to step away from your project that you have worked so hard to build, but you need to trust the team you have put together, that they share the same end goal as you and that they will be able to carry on the work while you’re taking a break.
How would you describe your ideal client?
I like to think of myself, the brand and all the marvelous people who wear our pieces as ‘color activists’. Our world is becoming increasingly monochromatic, black and white are becoming more and more prominent and it seems like so many people are forgetting the importance and meaning behind color!
My ideal client is one who embodies the very essence of Celia B and understands clothing to be an extension of their identity and values the relationship they have with their wardrobe.
Listing out a few characteristics, I’d mention:
Boldness – They are not followers but leaders, willing to be bold when the world is asking her to follow.
Braveness – she expresses her individuality and strong personality through her clothing.
Beautiful – she exudes confidence inside and out, radiating self-assuredness.
Brilliance – she challenges the Status-Quo, breaking boundaries in the process.
Brightness – her unsatiable curiosity allows her to explore new styles, colors and designs. She is open to new experiences and perspectives, always eager to learn and grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://celiab.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/celiabdesigner?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
