Behind the Label | Lotta Stensson

Meet Lotta Stensson, the designer behind our dream collection of caftans and summer dresses. Originally from Sweden and currently residing in LA, Lotta has become the go-to designer for bohemian chic. Favored by music superstars Beyonc?, Charlize Theron, and Selena Gomes, this travel-inspired collection is filled with sinuous handprinted fabrics that seductively caress your body at the beach or beyond. We recently caught up with this globetrotting designer and asked her to share the story behind her label.

Meet Lotta Stensson, the designer behind our dream collection of caftans and summer dresses. Originally from Sweden and currently residing in LA, Lotta has become the go-to designer for bohemian chic. Favored by music superstars Beyonc?, Charlize Theron, and Selena Gomes, this travel-inspired collection is filled with sinuous handprinted fabrics that seductively caress your body at the beach or beyond. We recently caught up with this globetrotting designer and asked her to share the story behind her label.

 

 

 

How does travel inspire your collection?

Travel turned my collection from Ready-To-Wear into Resort. I travel a lot -- it's my escape to design in peace. I can work from a Pillar House over the water on the cliffs of Jamaica or go island hopping on small planes all alone. The "need" of the items is what inspires me. The gardens, the nature, and everything around me -- including the wind of the fabric draped against my skin -- all fuels me. Traveling and feeling the need is key to what I design. What really added to the fuel was all the times my luggage was lost and being forced into the local tourist hunt for Andia Garcia Rayon sarongs, candy striped bikinis, and terrible quality print dresses for night! I hated it! Thus, the Resort Devoted Collection was born in 2009.

Pillar House via TripAdvisor

 

 

 

Describe Lotta Stensson in 3 words. 

Integrity, strength, and creativity fueled with positivity.

 

Your collection of products keeps growing, what creative endeavors are on the horizon?

More great designs and prints. I take great pride in drawing all the collection prints and very skilled artisans (a dying craft we are trying to preserve) carve the wooden blocks and hand stamp all the prints. I also carefully select and work with amazing mills to create great, sellable, and amazingly special prints for the Peace By Lotta Stensson collection. 

 

 

Who is your Muse? Describe the Lotta Stensson woman.

My muse is every woman around me. All women want to look great, especially on vacation, which for many is tied to an important occasion. The customers in my store continue to inspire me, and when I get a free moment to work in the Flagship Boutique I?m incredibly fueled and inspired by their style.  

 

 

Tell us about your favorite piece (or one of them) and where you were inspired to create it.

The items Madonna chose to wear on the cover of Rolling Stone for her Ray of Light era is a key piece for my continued success.

 

 

 

 

 

Globetrotter Stats

 

Souk or Department Store?

Souk all the way!

 

DIY or Concierge Service?

I always love finding local people and DIY'ing it. I would consider using a concierge for a fancier dinner choice, but I definitely favor local beach shack style dinners with local beer! :)

 

Buy Everything or Buy Nothing? 

This is hard for me to choose because I hardly need to shop. I'm so lucky -- I have it all and if I don't, then I design it. You must always refresh your assortment but I say build onto a classic, good quality, uniquely chosen and crafted closet and you'll always look right.

 

Camping or 5-Star Hotel? 

Both for sure, I don't discriminate! I was raised traveling, I have continued to explore, and I travel a lot for work. While working, I enjoy a good hotel. However, I like to discover, learn, see, experience and just live.

 

Drive or be Driven?

Both! Again, for business and while in NYC or Paris, a cab or a car service works. If I'm island hopping and I want to see an island and stop to view all the beaches, I drive.

 

Room service or Street Food? 

Both. For business and while in NYC or Paris, I prefer room service and fine dining. While I'm in Jamaica or the islands, I prefer what I call "boomba shacks"-- local cooking in rural quarters, preferably on the ocean.

 

Lots of Luggage or Carry-on Bag?

The idea of lost luggage makes me upset so now I cover all angles. I pack and check to save my poor back, and when I travel, I incorporate work most times so the load is heavy! I then have a nice set up going that I pack in my carry on bag for day time.

 

 

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