#BEYOUROWN MEETS MARY RADENKOVIC

London brand Lavishly Appointed leads the way in swimwear technology whilst bridging the gap in iconic style and elegance. The range offers essential costumes and bikinis, innovative body adorned dresses to compliment the full line, your holiday staple for the summer as well as the sun in the winter.

Founded, designed and developed by Mary Radenkovic a Fashion Buyer and journalist. Lavishly Appointed was created for like-minded woman, seeking unique, eye-catching and dynamic pieces that can take you from day through to night.

“When I design I have a sense of authenticity, my woman has to be believable and touchable. I am a female designer, I communicate with other women through my designs, and I love making them look exquisite in their swimwear” says Mary.

The science behind each garment has been carefully processed, from how little the Italian sourced fabrics absorb water to creating prints and combining colours that sculpt your body. Materials have been married with handcrafted jewels and particular attention given to details including obscured stitching.

Today Lavishly Appointed is the distinguished global travellers best-kept secret, appearing in exclusive resorts around the world, just like its clientele.

Hey Mary, can you give s a quick intro as to who you are?

I am the founder and designer of a luxury resort wear brand Lavishly Appointed. 

Can you take us through your journey to where you are now?

I have been in the fashion industry since the age of 15, initially working as a model, then as a designer and now as an entrepreneur as well. 

How did you launch Lavishly Appointed and can you tell us since we last spoke, where you are at today with the brand?

Since we last spoke, we opened our very own in-house boutique luxury production. Now, that our production is in the house, we feel like we gained more credibility and can produce orders of different sizes for our respected clients. In addition, we are now preparing our fifth collection inspired by Jackie O and are very excited about it. 

Who does the team involve behind you at Lavishly Appointed?

We have two separate teams, the first one is focused on sales & advertising and is very well organised and entrepreneurial whereas the second team is our hard-working design team consisting of pattern makers and tailors. 

Having come back from a successful presentation during the Paris fashion week, where can you see yourself within the next 3-5 years?

We are hoping we will have our own fashion show at Paris Fashion Week. 

What strategies do you have in place when looking at the expansion of Lavishly Appointed?

Opening our first branch store would be the next challenge and the next step, but we have not yet decided the details. 

Can you tell us what areas you have struggled in professionally?

Mostly in our financial plans and forecasts as we want to produce truly valuable and luxury products, but also still need to make the commercially appropriate. 

Have you ever had any other mentor? If so how has this benefitted you to grow?

Well, I certainly have a few friends and colleagues who are successful entrepreneurs and often willing to share their words of wisdom. Nevertheless, my true mentor was my late grandfather who was also a fashion designer. He helped me develop a genuine passion for fashion that has been with me since my early years. 

What outlets do use to market Lavishly Appointed?

I still love the good old fashion magazines so we will be featured in the Tatler magazine December issue. However, we are also very much up to date with the new wave of digital influencers and are very active on Instagram and also work with famous bloggers. 

What would you like to see changed for millennials in business?

I would like to see more space for young designers and smaller companies to work. With imperialism in which we currently live in, it is often difficult for young talented people to succeed unless they join the large corporates and I would like to see more visibility of millennials and their smaller scale startups. 

What is the best piece of business advice you have received to date?

Hard work will always pay back! 

What is the number 1 critical lesson you have learned in your career so far?

That I need to be more serious about my company’s business plans. As an artist, I usually struggle with that! 

How do you create an evenly balanced work and personal life?

I ensure I always allow protected time for my family and also some personal time for my hobbies and give my self-time to enjoy art and attend exhibitions. 

The highlight of your career so far?

Definitely, starting my own business Lavishly Appointed. 

What gives you ultimate career satisfaction?

I love what I do, working in fashion is fun because we work with the media, tech, celebrities and beauty industry. We are at the intersection of business and creativity, so the work is quite variable. Moreover, we organise the best parties and events. 

What challenges have since been presented during the growth of Lavishly Appointed in this last year?

My challenge has always been to ensure that each new collection is better than the previous one and that is not always easy. 

Which other leading entrepreneurs and pioneering game changers do you also admire and why?

I admire Edgardo Osorio from Aquaazzura who had turned his brand into an established luxury brand over a very short period of time. Also, Ashley Graham is a fantastic role model for a success story. 

What is a good article or book you have read recently?

I enjoyed reading the ‘Grit’ by Angela Duckworth. It is an excellent easy read and it tries to explain why resilience is more important than talent for success and it gives a different perspective when thinking about everyday business problems. 

How do you measure your own terms of success?

I think success is when you wake up and are happy that you’re about to start work and are also getting paid well for it. 

What does #BEYOUROWN mean to you?

I think it is when you turn behind and reflect on everything that happened and you realise that despite all the difficulties, you managed to get your idea and your dream to come true. 

Lastly, what is next for you and Lavishly Appointed?

We will participate in the huge project MTV EMA Awards in Spain in November where most of the A-list celebrities will be wearing Lavishly Appointed, so stay tuned and follow the EMAs! 

www.beyourown.org