Ever wondered about the story behind DLTA Studios? In this exclusive Q&A, we sit down with our founder, Aimee, to talk about the inspiration behind the brand, the journey of building a fashion business, and what’s next for the brand.
Credit: @aimoxox
What inspired you to start your fashion brand? I’ve always loved fashion but to be honest I never thought I would start a fashion brand. I would genuinely say it was a dream given to me by God.
How did you come up with the name of your brand? I was born in a place called Delta State in Nigeria so DLTA is actually pronounced ‘delta’ and that is the inspiration behind the brand. It is a reminder to myself that no matter how far the brand goes, I am rooted in something greater than myself.
What was the moment you knew you wanted to be in the fashion industry? I used to love cutting up clothes and restyling them how I thought they should look and when I was younger, I used to design and sew clothes for my Bratz dolls so I guess it was always there.
What’s your go-to outfit or fashion must-have? This is probably really underwhelming but I love flip flops like I am really in my element in the summer when I can wear flip flops 24/7. Especially when I’m in work mode running errands, flip flops and sunglasses are definitely my go-to items.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? I don’t drink coffee which sounds crazy for an entrepreneur who frequently stays up working late.
What makes your brand unique in the fashion industry? I have a story to tell that goes way beyond the clothes themselves. I truly want my brand to impact the lives of women all around the world.
How would you describe your brand in three words? Purpose, elegance and creativity.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs? Honestly it can be the most random things like walking down the street and finding inspiration in buildings or movies or pictures, literally anything. I also see designs in my dreams sometimes.
Shop the Colena and Issi set here.
What is your favourite piece from the collection? I love them all, they are like my babies, but I think I actually really love the ISSI set. It took the longest to perfect probably because I wanted so badly for it to be executed well. Either that or the Colena dress but to be honest, it’s a really great and consistent collection.
Do you prefer minimalism or bold statement pieces? A perfect mix of the two, which is the aim behind the product line. Classic mixed with statement pieces.
Do you ever wear your own designs? All the time, I love wearing my pieces! Since I started, I have worn my own design every year on my birthday.
Is there a dream celebrity you'd love to see wearing your brand? There are so many I would love to see in DLTA, the list is endless, but I think for this collection in particular, I would love to see Adrienne Bailon-Houghton in one of the pieces. She’s really the muse behind the collection and the idea of believing in your dreams wholeheartedly.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your own business? I love having the creative freedom to come up with ideas and see them come to life, it is literally like watching thoughts become things. I’ve also been able to work with so many wonderful people and learn so much along the way. I am just generally enjoying the journey that I am on, it has stretched and shaped me a lot.
What’s been the biggest challenge in your journey so far? Running a business can be extremely challenging - there is always something to do and a problem to solve somewhere. I had to face a lot of my fears and step out of my comfort zone a lot to make this thing work. In the beginning, I used to cry pretty much every single day but I think these days I am way more resilient and can power through most things.
How do you deal with the challenges of running a business? I talk to God. A LOT.
What advice would you give to someone starting a fashion brand? Don’t give up. Just keep going and learning and refining as you go along.
Finally, what’s next for your brand? Any exciting plans for the future? Stay tuned!!!