By: Robert Lovi By: Robert Lovi | May 25, 2022 | People, Style & Beauty,
Born in Cuba, raised in New York, and now based in Miami, this Hispanic female entrepreneur found her purpose in the world of fashion after traveling the world for 17 years while working in the aviation industry.
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Founder and Designer of Miami-based luxury lifestyle brand Peace Love World, Alina Villasante is a true example of the American Dream and the epitome of the balancing act through a unique perspective and authentic voice gained through her experience of building a successful global brand while navigating life's obstacles.
She discovered that everyone craved the same things: peace, love, and happiness through her travels. Using positive affirmations on clothing as her canvas, the movement immediately extended to major retailers and 2,000 boutiques worldwide. Celebrities like Pharrell, Coca-Cola, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, and the Kardashians have all endorsed her brand. The brand's growing success led it to the QVC platform, where Alina and her daughter, Mia, continue to develop an empire.
What did you learn from people and different cultures in all the countries you visited?
Alina Villasante: From my roots to my travels, I have learned that everyone is looking for the same thing, to feel loved and to love others. People that have love can find peace in their heart. With that, they can find happiness. I want to touch, encourage, inspire and incite appreciation for what truly matters. It goes beyond religion, borders and personal beliefs. It is the human desire and inner pull we all feel for peace, love and happiness.
What was the inspiration to launch this brand?
Alina Villasante: Peace Love World is simply the outer expression of what I value and feel for life and I have been blessed to share this with the world. In 1999, I began an annual tradition of gathering my favorite ladies for a night of camaraderie called the “Love Party.” I designed T-shirts, jewelry and pajamas incorporating symbols of peace, love and happiness. My friends’ obsession with the shirts inspired me to take my love of fashion to the next level after having spent 17 years in the aviation industry. In 2009, I combined my commitment to spreading positivity and my passion for design and fabrics to officially launch Peace Love World.
Describe the message behind your brand and what has made it so successful.
Alina Villasante: I never wanted to compromise quality or style and I always wanted my brand to be for all women. I combined my commitment to spreading positivity and my passion for design and fabrics to build a movement that can encourage, inspire and make people feel good. I live with the intention for more women to feel beautiful and teach them that if you want to feel something, become it and then you will attract it. The women stay connected because they want more positivity in their life. This energy is put into the designs and leads the movement by touching the person who wears it by inspiring them to give love. A woman should always be confident, comfortable and elegant wherever she goes. Elegance is an attitude.
What have been your approaches to successfully appealing to big-name celebrities?
Alina Villasante: I like to connect myself to like-minded souls in order to better myself and understand that we are all human-beings with the same purpose. My message is about self-love, love for others and understanding that everyone is someone. I use empathy and compassion to put myself in others' shoes and understand that we all have our own battles. Any opportunity I get to share that message is an opportunity that I want to align myself with.
What have been the obstacles you have encountered as a woman Hispanic entrepreneur?
Alina Villasante: I think being a Latin woman is my superpower. I believe it’s a large part of the reason why I am here. We are not only about what looks good on the outside, but how to shine from the inside. I’m Cuban, born in Cuba, raised in New York and Atlanta. I moved to the beautiful city of Miami at age 18 with my parents. My designs are inspired by the city of Miami, its energy and its culture everyday. I’m proud to be a successful loving Hispanic woman in the best country in the world.
What has been the most challenging about having a successful brand and navigating life?
Alina Villasante: Peace Love World is my destiny and through life’s many hurdles, I stick through my mission and purpose. The epitome of always keeping the light on even in the dark. You always have to listen to what’s happening in the industry in order to grow and evolve. The world is ever-changing and you have to change with it.
How have you been able to enter the complex and selective fashion industry?
Alina Villasante: I was in the aviation business for 20+ years. I never went to fashion school but it’s always been my passion. Passion is why I am here. This has been the hardest part of my life, because fashion is hard. It took me a while to understand why the T-shirt I made in January wouldn’t be good in December. Now, I have the same five-season calendar as all the fashion brands. I just finished working on Spring 2023. I've probably made every mistake in the book. I always say nothing lasts forever, not the good, not the bad. You always have to listen to what’s happening in the industry and grow and evolve with what’s happening. It’s really hard to close doors and open new ones but that’s how you evolve and survive. The world is ever-changing and you have to change with it.
How do you balance work, life and family?
Alina Villasante: It’s all in one for me. In my life everyone and everything is intertwined and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Where you give love, you give life. While building a life and business, it's very important to continue to lift others in the process. I believe a family that works together, builds together.
Any tips for our readers on how to start your own business?
Alina Villasante: Showing up, leading by example and believing in yourself is the hustle. The only way you are guaranteed to lose is by giving up or not showing up. Lead from a place of optimism knowing that you always can. Passion, exercise, faith, and believing in what you are doing is everything. The way you do anything is the way you do everything. The key to fulfillment, success, and contentment in life is aligning your personality with what your soul came to do. When you can use your personality to serve what that thing is, you can be successful.
Could you share some advice on building a legacy and working alongside family?
Alina Villasante: Love more than you feel and lead from a place of optimism. I have done this as a mother and as a leader. I do it for my own motivation as well. I remember 5 things I am grateful for. Focus on the positive. Work through the hurdle of the negative. In the world of an entrepreneur, there’s always ups and downs. Working through the setbacks and not consuming yourself in them is what makes you successful. There are daily challenges that one must overcome.
How was the journey to finding peace, love and happiness, and how did you get there?
Alina Villasante: Peace, love and happiness is the journey! It is an everyday practice. My mantra is “love is not something you look for, it is something you become.” If you want to have something, you have to become it and then you will attract it. I work very hard on keeping myself in the zone, protecting my energy, keeping the faith and moving my body, all while spreading love and giving back.
Tell us more about doing philanthropy through fashion.
Alina Villasante: I feel like fashion is diverse and has so many arms and legs. It can reach the masses. Giving is our responsibility and giving more than you have is the only way to grow. I focus on those in need, and on the many blessings I carry and how I can share it with them. I stay optimistic about what lessons we have to learn here for the better of our future selves, our children, our society and our earth.
What are some exciting things you are working on?
Alina Villasante: I am working on a podcast and a book in addition to brand expansion. I want to build larger collections for our e-commerce business and continue to grow on QVC. It’s harder than it looks but I am excited to share my message on every platform possible. Dream big.
Will the brand continue expanding?
Alina Villasante: On my vision board I have a quote that says, “known locally, loved globally.” This reflects on the evolution of Peace Love World. Today, our global reach has expanded through QVC and we are truly a lifestyle brand excelling in loungewear and home goods. When we first launched, we were a t-shirt company with positive messages that quickly expanded into hoodies, sweatpants, hats, mugs, pet accessories, jewelry and more. You name it, we have made it. This year we will be expanding the Mia V perfume into its first bottle, launching a garden collection and so much more. Stay tuned.
Photography by: Courtesy Peace Love World