Designer: Eva María Seoane

A new concept of swimwear Made in Spain arises in the UK from the hand of our former student Eva Maria Seoane, in a search to project a "neat and clean look, for a timeless and elegant woman".

Initiated in Fine Arts, she became interested in the world of Fashion and it was then when she heard about​ our school. According to her, she experienced a very good and positive experience in general, motivated by the different creative projects proposed, the close treatment by the teachers and the work with her classmates, admitting that she still keeps in touch with some of them.

​IADE: How did you get to know our school, and what encouraged you to study with us?

Eva María Seoane: I was studying Bellas Artes and I found out about several schools focused on fashion in Madrid. I went to meet you and see the facilities, and I felt very comfortable there, so I had no doubt that I wanted to study ​Fashion Design with you.

​I: What was your dream (professionally speaking) when you entered the school? Did it change throughout your career?

E.M.S: My dream was always to start in some company (outside Spain), to learn as much as possible about the development of a brand, not only the creative part, but the actual process from the creation of the sketch to its production and sale. And at some point after that, to set up my own company. It didn't change much throughout my studies.

​I: What did you do when you finished your studies until today?

E.M.S: Just shortly after finishing my studies at Iade, I was offered to support a class as a teacher there, but I had to turn it down because I was leaving Spain a few weeks later for personal reasons. So, I was working as an illustrator for a while abroad until I returned to Spain, where I did more specialized studies in pattern making for corsetry, intimate apparel and swimwear, with my mind set on setting up my own brand focused on that sector.

​I: Do you feel that our school trained you adequately for the working world?

E.M.S: Yes, I think the school has helped me in several aspects that have to do with my company, although Leonora Swim is a swimwear brand, and it is within a more specialized sector where I had to learn many things from scratch.

​"I was always on the lookout for original designs, with a neat and clean look, but I realized that there wasn't what I was looking for."

​I: You currently have your own swimwear firm "Leonoraswim" How did the idea for the project come about? 

E.M.S: I consider myself a very aesthetic person, and I look for design in almost every aspect of my life, hence why I wanted to dedicate myself to fashion (since I was little it has always been my weakness!). Over the years, I realized that everything related to underwear and swimwear I was especially passionate about, so I was always looking for original designs, with a neat and clean look, but I realized that there was not what I was looking for. I wanted products that really conveyed the image of an elegant and timeless woman, without forgetting that it was a cheerful, comfortable, feminine and flattering garment. I was very clear about what I was looking for, and when I couldn't find it, I decided to take the leap and create LeonoraSwim, focusing, for now, on the swimwear sector, and if all goes well, to expand to lingerie in the future! The company is based in the UK, where I currently live for long periods of time, but it is totally Made in Spain.

​I: Apart from the online store, are you going to launch a physical store in the street?

E.M.S: Although at the moment we only have an online store, for next year we want to collaborate with different stores so that the public that does not dare to make the purchase via web, can try our products without any problem. In principle they will be stores located in Madrid and Barcelona.

​I: And to finish... tell us, what is a day at Leonoraswim like? What do you love most about your brand?

E.M.S: A day at Leonora Swim varies a lot if it's in summer or winter. Right now, our focus is on preparing very well for the launch of the next collection, making sure production is going well, being in continuous contact with suppliers and workshops, and planning marketing strategies for the new launch.
What I am most passionate about at Leonora Swim is being able to produce a product that I am proud of. This means coming up with a design that is not only beautiful, but also comfortable, of high quality and that brings a different approach to what is already on the market.

Eva does not close doors to the option of collaborating with potential students in the future, when the brand is more consolidated, nor to come to our classrooms to tell her entrepreneurial experience.

From the School we wish you a prosperous development at the physical store level, and we transmit you all our support in your personal branding project.

Proud of our designers, proud of our IADE FAMILY!