LILIANA MONTOYA Liliana Montoya, swimwear designer from Colombia, is back in front of the cameras. After 5 years, Liliana is modelling for her own campaign “Maldives”, together with top model Emma Golijanin. This business woman, creator of the swimwear brand “LILIANA MONTOYA SWIM” since 2006, has been involved in many fashion shows such as MBFW, Funkshion Fashion Swim Week, Miami International Fashion Week, and many more.
W
hat was your main motivation to launch your own swimwear brand in 2006? It was the result of many factors. It all started in 2006, when I graduated as Fashion Designer, and had to prepare a project. I presented a very original bikini collection, with such a huge success that I inmediately knew my real passion was to design swimwear. On top of that, I have always been very creative, and mixing beach and fashion was just the perfect combo. Had you worked as a swimwear model before? I had the chance of doing runways, campaigns and fashion editorials before. I also represented Colombia in Miss Hawaiian Tropic which opened the doors to America. What were your inspirations? brands, models, designers? Brand / Designer : Roberto Cavalli Model: Giselle Bundchen
She was guest of honor in the opening of Miami Beach Centennial in 2015, personally invited by the Major, Her designs have made the cover of magazines like Harper´s Bazaar Argentina, Sports Illustrated, Marie Clarie, Seventeen, Women Health, FHM, GQ ... And as a model, she has been the cover of Maxim Magazine, Ellements Magazine, Vitality and many more. In which ways do you believe the fact of being born in Medellin (Colombia) has influenced in your desings? It has played a major rol. My designs express my personality. I am a very thoughtful woman who loves colors, joyful embroideries and patterns, which definitely reflect my origins in Medellin. When designing your bikinis, what is the profile of the woman you imagine wearing them? I always think of a young spirit woman, who is also coquettish, happy and very charismatic. What has been your best experience in a fashion show as a designer? Definitely the opening of the Miami Beach Centennial Celebration. I was invited by the Major to do the opening catwalk of the biggest event of 2015, the birthday of my city, Miami, which was sponsored by Funkshion Fashion Week. How was your overall experience in the mercedes-benz fashion week swim in 2015? MBFW brought me an inmense personal satisfaction, since it was the last year MBFW organize a fashion show in Miami Beach. It was a huge professional success in my career.
PHOTOGRAPHER // SIMON SOONG