Lorena Alves’ On The Lo Swimwear Empowers Women To Love Their Bodies
Image of On The Lo Swimwear.
Interview by: Alana Eastling
Editor: Jeni Fjelstad
Creative Direction: Catie Menke
“Empowerment is living in your truth, owning it, and connecting to your higher self,” Lorena Alves explained. “When you're connected to what you love, that is living to the fullest.”
There is a type of magnetic pull that emerges while on a healing journey. As we expand compassion for self and others, we meet and attract those on similar journeys. I met Lorena through a mutual friend, and we easily connected through our passion for nature and community. Hearing about Lorena’s practice of incorporating healing into her entrepreneurship was inspiring. I had to know more.
Lorena is a self-taught swimwear designer based out of Humboldt, California. Her practice of self-love and body positivity is the throughline of her brand, On The Lo Swimwear. Lorena’s swimsuits symbolize self-worth and empowerment to herself and her community.
Image of On The Lo Swimwear.
Before Lorena founded On The Lo in 2018, she struggled to find swimsuit sets that fit her bustier and petite body type. She would buy bikini tops in the U.S. while customizing bottoms during her trips home to Brazil. After bringing a few cheeky bottoms back to California, Lorena noticed an interest on social media.
“It was very synchronistic, to be honest,” she recalled. “I was enrolled in this entrepreneurship program at the time, and my business filled a [creative] gap for me. I was finally tapping into that energy in an authentic way.”
From there, On The Lo was born. On The Lo is a reference to Lorena’s name and her classic cheeky bottoms. She launched with these bottoms, and customers immediately asked for bikini tops to match. All On The Lo collections are one of a kind. Lorena creates the designs, and Giovanna, her seamstress counterpart, handmakes each piece in Brazil.
Lorena’s original designs were inspired by what she wanted to wear and what would fit her body type. Soon after building a customer base, she realized she wanted to cater her designs to all body types. “A big part of my business is inclusion and body positivity. For years, [the industry] was all size zero models, and that’s not the reality of who we are and our diversity — of what makes us special. We make sizes from XS to XXL. If I don’t have a person’s size, I [also] offer customs.”
Lorena developed her production process with her values at the forefront. While most swimsuits are mass-produced, Lorena wanted to take a more deliberate approach to build a sustainable brand. At the time, most swimwear “in the State, was designed by men and produced in China,” she explained. “Because I work with small merchants, I have a different process than designing on a blank canvas and bringing it to life.” Lorena is able to reduce On The Lo’s environmental impact by producing small batches from existing on-hand fabrics. Lorena sketches concepts and colorways while Giovanna sources fabrics to make their swimwear. On The Lo swimsuits are proudly made “for women, by women.”
A key tool for amplifying On The Lo’s messaging is photoshoots. Lorena prioritizes showcasing a representative and inclusive demographic of women. She hosts local women from her community to model alongside her in her designs.
“That’s how I started — just putting on my bikini… and accepting my body. Telling myself ‘I can do this and [empower] other women to do the same.’”
Image of On The Lo Swimwear.
Lorena has found that her business is a channel to cultivate community with other women. Each year, Lorena hosts an On The Lo anniversary photoshoot. The first began with 15 women and, this past year, a gathering of 32 women.
“Everyone’s energy was so high. We were bouncing off each other!” she beamed. “We were complimenting each other, smiling, appreciating each other, our bodies, and our beauties. It’s magical every time.”
Image of On The Lo Swimwear.
The impact of this group of women, radiating in her swimsuits, is invaluable to Lorena. Lorena’s entrepreneurial journey is strongly influenced by her healing journey. She is adamant about doing what she loves and trusting the ebbs and flows of the process. Lorena’s story of learning to love herself has blossomed into a community of empowerment beyond her swimsuits.
Thank you, Lorena. Your belief that everyone is of value is a shining light in your community. Your faith in yourself is a vibrant inspiration.
More from Alana in People We Admire
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