How Alexia María turned a dream into a thriving fashion brand that redefines elegance

Thank you! Reflecting on the past decade, the biggest challenge in establishing Alexia María was bringing my creative vision to life while synonymously navigating the business side of fashion. When I launched the brand, I was passionate about reigniting the art of dressing up, but I always knew it had to be paired with strategic business decisions. 

Building the right team, managing production, and establishing a presence in the luxury market all came with their challenges. I overcame them by staying true to my design philosophy, embracing adaptability, and establishing strong relationships with clients who believed in the brand.

Now, celebrating our 10th anniversary, I am incredibly grateful for the journey- the challenges, the lessons, and the incredible support from everyone who has been a part of it.

When I launched Alexia María, it was strictly a direct-to-consumer brand and my primary focus was establishing our presence through our flagship boutique and website. I’ve always been intuitive in how I approach growth, and I believe that if we focus on staying true to our vision and delivering exceptional quality, the right opportunities will come naturally. 

I love the quote, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity,” and that’s exactly what happened with us. Four years after launching Alexia María, Saks Fifth Avenue reached out saying they loved the collection and wanted to see it in person. I’ll never forget reading that email—it was an incredible moment and came at the perfect time, when we were truly prepared for it.

For designers looking to break into major retailers, my advice would be to focus on building a strong brand first. Make sure your product, production, and customer connection are solid, and let demand drive expansion. When you are ready, and when the time is right—the right doors will open.

Running a luxury fashion business requires thoughtful financial planning, discipline, and strategic reinvestment. From sourcing materials to expanding our in-house production, every financial decision at Alexia María is made with long-term sustainability in mind. Business credit cards and banking tools can help manage short-term expenses like fabric sourcing and operational costs, providing flexibility when needed.

They help support the business in the day to day so we can focus on other financial aspects such as reinvesting. Financial stability is key, and my advice to entrepreneurs is to build a strong foundation, reinvest wisely, and ensure that every financial decision strengthens the core of your brand.

The Spring Summer 2025 Collection is inspired by the fresh energy of spring in the city—a season of renewal where elegance meets vibrancy. 

Much like New York City in the spring, where delicate blooms emerge amidst the dynamic pace of the city, this collection captures the contrast between boldness and softness. The collection’s vibrant palette reflects the energy of the season.

Balancing staying true to our brand’s design and DNA while evolving with trends is always an intentional process. Instead of following fleeting trends, I focus on elevating and refining our core aesthetic with seasonal elements that feel fresh yet enduring.

Bows and feminine silhouettes are at the heart of Alexia María and they evolve each season through new proportions, color choices, and unexpected versatile design elements. For me, keeping the aesthetic fresh means creating elegance in a way that feels both timeless and modern for the new season. 

I’m always finding new ways to play with volume, structure, and movement. Whether it’s an oversized bow layered over another bow, a detachable cape adding movement to a strapless gown, or an unexpected color-block combination, I’m always looking for ways to refine, elevate, and surprise.

I believe fashion is deeply connected to the world around us, and I find inspiration in art, architecture, nature, and the elegance of everyday life. Classic architecture, vintage photography, and the work of legendary couturiers have always influenced my designs, but so have the incredible women in my life.

Their personalities, confidence, and unique sense of style often spark new ideas, inspiring me to create pieces that reflect their grace and individuality.

It has been such an honor to see incredible women wear Alexia María, each bringing their own elegance and personality to the designs. One of the most pivotal moments for the brand was dressing Abigail Spencer for the 2016 People’s Choice Awards. 

She was the first celebrity to wear Alexia María, and her look being highlighted in Vogue.com as one of the night’s best-dressed was a true milestone moment. Having that recognition felt like a turning point for me, and since then, so many inspiring women have worn Alexia María.

While I’ve always admired the great designers of the past, like Cristóbal Balenciaga and Hubert de Givenchy, and style icons such as Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy, my biggest inspirations have been the women in my life. 

Their grace, confidence, and love for dressing up have shaped my perspective on design. My mother, in particular, has always been a great mentor of mine. Apart from her impeccable taste in fashion, she is a businesswoman whom I’ve also learned invaluable lessons from.

My biggest advice is to go for it! Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start working on your dreams. If you have a vision, go ahead and set it in motion; take that first step, even if it feels small. Building Alexia María has taught me that growth happens in the process, not in perfection. 

You don’t need to have everything figured out from the start—you just need to believe in yourself and have the courage to begin. The path will unfold as you go, and each challenge will prepare you for the next opportunity. It may take years to build something, but if you love what you do, the journey will be amazing.