FastTrack Your Fashion Brand Podcast · Nicole Di Rocco : Fashion CEO, Teacher, Mentor and Speaker

EP 88 - How ISAMAR Launched and Funded a Resort Wear Brand

·44 min·2 clips

Wouldn't it be so cool to build a travel-inspired resort wear brand where a mom could have one swimsuit and one cover-up that takes her all the way through vacation?

In-depth founder interview with Monica Gilea (eSomar Collection CEO, former immigration attorney) discussing brand origin from travel/packing problem-solving through launch preparation. Monica's entrepreneurial parents (urban designer, tapestry importer) influenced her; law school path diverted creative impulse until Hawaii vacation sparked resort wear vision: single versatile piece (swimsuit/coverup/dress) solving mom's packing limitations. Design focused on luxury-lightweight fabric, non-sheer coverage, three-point versatility (robe/coverup/dress with adjustable sleeves, removable belt, hand embroidery). Sampling challenge involved 5-6 rounds ($200-250 per sample), refined through Nicole's mentorship toward signature product strategy (abandon multiple styles, focus excellence). Blue Atomi print (Mexican artisanal design) became debut colorway with hand embroidery, one-of-a-kind pieces. Original Kickstarter fall launch plan pivoted to soft launch within 2 weeks after manufacturing partner announced delays (couldn't produce until end of 2024). Episode captures real-time entrepreneurial agility and mentor-guided brand development.

As heard by us

A grounded fashion founder story about launch timing, factory trust, and a soft launch pivot.

Monica Gilea's story for eSomar Collection stays close to the grind of building a travel inspired resort wear brand. The launch slipped to September 2024, the first run was soft, friends and family got the early version, and Kickstarter comes into view as the next move.

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Why you'd press play

Want a behind-the-scenes look at how a travel-inspired resort wear brand handles a launch when the manufacturer cannot meet the original date?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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