During the launch of mia piuma's first collection this past Thursday, January 15, we sat down with Mirja Riester, our founder and designer to get inside her head about this exciting new phase of her life. *The label introduced a soft launch online and in select boutiques this past fall but the first full collection debuted on Thursday.  

Q: As a successful business owner already, how are you feeling about the launch?

A: We are very excited about the launch of mia piuma’s first collection. We have received not only lots of encouragement throughout this process but also so many compliments on our line, fabrics, and design. It demonstrates to us that there is an opportunity, a need and that people appreciate what we are trying to accomplish. We are exploring different placements in a variety of boutiques and spaces and are using this phase truly as a time to learn, explore and cultivate our efforts. We have so many new and different ideas to introduce to this luxury niche market, that we are already excited for our next collections….

Q: Tell us how mia piuma got started?

A: Well, I had been looking for modern, fashionable nightwear for many years and was quite frustrated with the nightwear category offerings. Why was it that one could only either dress for sex or in ugly, full body pyjamas? I just could not understand why women were accepting those options and would go to bed being very uncomfortable  or looking frumpy. The trigger point to launch mia piuma though was when I received an invitation from GUCCI to join them for their summer collection show in Milan in September. It was a fantastic week and provided me an opportunity to peek inside one of the world’s most luxurious fashion houses. I realized how much I really would enjoy working in the fashion industry and decided to give it a try. So, our aspirations are that of a top fashion brand, to create top quality garments of exquisite Italian fabrics and made in the US.

Q: What has been the hardest part about starting this business?

A: Being patient - starting a business requires a lot of patience. It is a start up, no one  knows about it, no one knows who we are, no one trusts you, people are just watching you but not giving you business immediately; also, as our line is new and different, it is difficult to determine where we should be placing the line. This is something I never considered being an issue....

Q: What did your friends and family think when you decided to try something so different?