Born and raised in Mexico City, Dulce Armenta studied Textile Design at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico and ESDi Escola Superior de Disseny in Barcelona. Upon graduating in 2010, she worked in sportswear, before finding herself in the denim industry. After garnering experience in the industry for five years, in 2015, she established her namesake brand of casualwear and high-quality, easy-to-wear basics, seeking to promote Mexican fashion internationally; in 2016, she launched her first swimwear collection. We sat down with Armenta to discuss her swimwear range, the challenges she has faced along the way, and future plans of expanding her collection.
Tell us a few words about your background and what you were doing before launching your namesake brand.
I studied Textile Design at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and ESDi Escola Superior de Disseny in Barcelona. After graduating, I started working in the sportswear industry, and then the denim industry. Then, in 2015, I decided to start my own project, and in 2016, I finally launched my first swimwear collection.
Was there a niche you aspired to fill with your brand?
I like swimsuits of any kind, but my main focus for this collection are one-pieces. I try to make swimsuits that may suit a wide range of different women bodies.
Talk to us about your size range. Do you also cater to the plus-size audience?
For the moment, we offer sizes S, M and L, but in the near future, I’m willing to have a plus-size but also a petit option.
You use solid pastel and basic colors. What prompted this decision? Talk to us about your design aesthetic and how it has been shaped.
I’ve always been into pastel and neutral colors. For this collection, I wanted it to be all about the simplicity of elegance. The concept – and they way I visualized the lookbook – I always had in mind were women bodies dancing and interacting with one another. I’m inspired by the nature and raw appearance of the skin and human bodies. Somehow pastels appealed more to me for this idea.
To what extent, do you take trends into consideration when designing?
For sure trends can’t be ignored; I pay attention to them but I try to avoid being “trendy;” in fact, I prefer the opposite to that, the idea of being timeless.
Your current line consists mainly of one-piece swimsuits. Is there a particular reason behind this?
I believe elegance is simplicity; you don’t have to be very revealing to feel sexy or to be beautiful. I believe in the subtlety of being sensual; that’s what one-pieces represent for me.
What are the main materials you use? Are there eco-friendly materials that can be used in swimwear?
I use poly/spandex, and all swimsuits are fully lined.
Where is your swimwear produced? How did you find factories to work with?
Basically asking, sending emails, making phone calls; that’s how! It took me a while though. Everything is designed and made in Mexico city.
What are some of the biggest challenges you faced while trying to grow your label?
Related to the question above, searching for a factory that suits your needs is not an easy thing to do. I wanted high quality, commitment, and ethical responsibility. Adjusting the product-making process has definitely been a challenge for me.
What are your future plans?
Aside from swimsuits, I would like to launch a beachwear collection and accessories.
www.dulcearmenta.com
Images © Dulce Armenta
