Wear What When

SLIDESHOW: Q and A with Salua designer Shadia K’David on the occasion of her December 17 trunk show on Capitol Hill.

WWW: Tell us about your path as a designer. Did you originally set out to do lingerie?
K’David: I love creating things from scratch, and it just so happens that this entrepreneurial spirit runs in the family. I’ve had the enormous benefit of learning about design and manufacturing from my mother who started Salua Lingerie 18 years ago. I’ve been watching her bootstrap the business and open doors for business women on the coast of Colombia since I was 13.

My first inkling of getting into design came while I was studying at La Universidad Nacional of Colombia, where I began designing canvas and leather handbags for the local market and export to the US. Although mildly successful, I decided to join my husband in Buenos Aires, Argentina and pursue a Master’s in International Business.

Upon graduating in 2009, my husband and I decided to move back to his hometown of Seattle, and I decided to take over the family business and introduce my mother’s design and vision to a larger market. I quickly realized the opportunity to offer the same sophistication and elegance characteristic of my mother’s designs to a younger audience.

K’David: Earlier this year, I introduced Salua Allure [we offer this along with the] mature luxury of my mother’s original brand, Salua Elegance.

What I love about creating intimate apparel is that woman choose these garments to feel romantic, passionate, and yet personal within the private space of their home and with their loved ones. This is very different than choosing apparel to fulfill dress standards at work, or to live up to the evolving fashion demands of society.

Sometimes more is more, isn’t it? And covered-up can be sexy, too. Fabric, fit, and finish are of the utmost importance in intimate wear—whether barely there or with full-on pajamas. What are your favorite materials and how do ensure that fit and comfort are always achieved?
We love to work with all natural fibers as they feel the best on your skin. Traditionally we have worked with light cotton fabrics, as up until recently the designs have largely been inspired by a Caribbean climate. Since the introduction of Salua Allure, however, we have begun using fabric blends of cotton and silk, and are currently designing our Fall/Winter 2012 collection using Modal for the first time, which actually comes from wood and is absorbent, lightweight, and sophisticated.

We understand that women don’t necessarily want to dress romantically every night, but do want to feel attractive, and most importantly comfortable, when putting on a nightgown or some flannel pajamas every other night.

Then again… Sometimes less is more.

K’David: What is immediately apparent with Salua garments is the high quality care and attention to detail that our team of seamstresses gives to each of our pieces. Our own team is based in my hometown of Santa Marta, Colombia.

K’David: We offer garments that fulfill a woman’s desire to be beautiful, sexy, and a goddess within her own home and in the company of her romantic partner.