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La Botanica Magazine was created with the realization that new designers need the same attention, care and love as a beautiful garden in order for their creativity to flower to its fullest potential. In this issue, designer Aimee Nielsen @aimeenielsendesign tells us why it’s never too late in life to start creating in fashion, and how this creativity can now sprout from anywhere around the world, and not just in fashion’s traditional capitals.

LA BOTANICA: Cre- ativity has overwhelmed humanity like never before. Many people are radically changing their lives and starting to create. Tell us please, how your career has transformed from the work of a lawyer in the design of clothes?

AIMEE NIELSEN: The transformation for me in starting to design clothes honestly came from within myself. I had a number of years where I doubted myself, made excuses, and spent too much time ‘seeking approv- al’ from others for decisions about my own life. It took years of growth, loss, and life

experiences to basically say ‘f*ck it’ , this is my life and it is quite honestly too short. I started designing and eventually attended the Fashion Institute of Technology on New York City. It got to a point for me that I could no longer shake the feeling I had. It was a kind of epiphany whereby I realized I had this certain design talent I was supposed to share with the world. I believe that if someone has a talent they should not feel ashamed to share it with the world because it is a part of who they are as a person no matter what career they are currently in. My work as a lawyer and vice versa as a designer, have compli- mented each other intellectually because they both use a very similar abstract, creative way of thinking and solving problems.

LB: One of the main direc- tions of your collection are the evening dresses. What do you think makes a mod- ern woman attractive?

AN: The evening dresses will always be a staple in my collections because the eve- ning gown has historically been an iconic piece in every woman’s wardrobe. The eve- ning dresses are some of my

there are so many different ways one can creatively accentu- ate a woman’s body through the design of an evening gown. I love evening gowns and their creative design process! While well thought-out fashion design definitely has the power to make a modern woman look very attractive, thinking of the dif- ferent ways that I can also make her feel confident and sexy in what she is wearing is what truly drives my creativity! Unapol- ogetically being true to oneself, and confident in one’s own skin are the power levers of today’s sophisticated woman. Yet my creations also provide a soft and understated type of strength that can be extremely attractive to anyone that knows who she is and is clear in what she wants from life. At the same time this soft strength and sexy confidence is what she exudes to the people that gravitate towards her and that she chooses to sur- round herself with.I think when you know these things about yourself what you choose to wear and taking risks in fashion makes the process that much more special. When you know who you are and you can own an evening dress people notice!

LB: The era of social media has radically changed the idea of the domination of fashion capitals. Designers no longer have to move to New York, Paris or Milan to create their fashion col- lections. You live in Miami, for example. What is the peculiarity of working in this city?

AN: I think social media and online shopping in general has changed things for a great number of people because no longer do you necessarily need to live in New York, Paris, or Milan. However I don’t feel these historical fashion capi- tals should be ignored. It’s still very important for designers to continue to make connections in the industry, to travel, and to get out and meet people.

I have chosen Miami as my base because it is such a vibrant, creative city. I am continually inspired in Miami and it is a city that I see really exploding even further than it already has in the areas of fashion, design and art. I also cannot complain about the sun and the warm weather year round.

LB: What does Miami bring to the style of your collections?

AN: Colors, style, cut. My in- spiration from Miami brings a lot to many of my designs. Obviously it is very hot here for over half the year and so it is a place where minimal and cooling clothing is very popular. Living in Miami, I am constantly inspired by the people I am surrounded by here and how I can create new and interesting cuts, styles and designs for everyone. My designs will always likely incorporate some Miami sexiness! Living in a tropical area and a very colorful ar- chitectural city is always inspiring to me as well. I am constantly surrounded by colors of all kinds from nature. Just living here in Miami gives me ideas as to color schemes for my collections.

and cooling clothing is very popular. Living in Miami, I am constantly inspired by the people I am surrounded by here and how I can create new and interesting cuts, styles and designs for everyone. My designs will always likely incorporate some Miami sexiness! Living in a tropical area and a very colorful ar- chitectural city is always inspiring to me as well. I am constantly surrounded by colors of all kinds from nature. Just living here in Miami gives me ideas as to color schemes for my collections.

LB: Which materials do you like to work with the most?

AN: I tend to like working with ‘activewear’ textiles the most. ‘Activewear’ meaning that the textile has elements of ‘stretch’ such as with spandex, polyester, or a recycled polyamide. I like working with these materials the most because this is where my interest mostly lies; in creating designs with ‘stretch’ textiles that are not just rele- gated to the pool or for working out but that are multifunction- al. This sort of fabric has this potential. There are a growing number of textile companies who are producing recycled envi- ronmentally friendly activewear textiles, which is very exciting to me. Working with these types of fabrics is very difficult for a number of reasons, but maybe that is why I like it so much.

LB: Where are you looking for inspiration?

AN: I tend to find inspiration constantly on a daily basis. For ex- ample, if I am walking outside I pay attention to the details of how the cracks in a sidewalk or road align or form a series of mismatched patterns. Or when I’m flying on a plane, the way the lines of the earth move with the rivers and streams. Or the way a certain building is constructed and the exterior pattern that is made from the architectural design. I observe all of these things daily and eventually transform into some sort of design or idea in my head. In addition to what inspires me daily, I am also very in- spired by history and I find a lot of inspiration that way as well.

LB: What will be the focus of your next collection?

AN: I am working on my new collection now for next year 2020. It will incorporate both menswear and womenswear designs. The designs will be very multi-functional for men and women. My inspiration will definitely have the Miami sexiness paired with a modern twist on a historical time period I love. I am very excited about this collection because it will be more expansive than my previous collections and will incorporate a number of difficult techniques such as draping, tailoring, hand pleating, and embroidery.

LB: Most of the photos in your collection are taken with the background of branches and lush greenery. How are flowers, plants and botanica reflected in your work?

AN: I happen to always be inspired by nature, flow- ers, and plants creatively. Nature is the purest form of inspiration for me. Na- ture makes everything more beautiful, including a photo.