What does it really take to build two fashion brands while protecting their creative identities, commercial foundations and long-term value?

In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa speaks with Laura Liles, founder and creative director of Australian fashion labels Kinga Csilla and Ciao Ciao Vacation.

After spending a decade working across the Australian fashion industry, Laura launched Kinga Csilla in 2017 with a small collection, a $5,000 investment and a desire to create a more considered fashion business and workplace.

Laura shares the realities of building the brand through years of reinvestment, family sacrifice and what she describes as blind faith. She reflects on the early production challenge that forced her to strengthen the business, the importance of learning through difficult moments and the confidence that comes from experience.

The conversation explores Laura’s creative process and how she balances design instinct with customer feedback and commercial performance. She also takes us behind the scenes of her production network across India, Indonesia and China, sharing how she has built long-term relationships while maintaining quality, transparency and artisanal craftsmanship.

Laura discusses the inspiration and strategy behind launching Ciao Ciao Vacation, how she maintains a distinct identity for each label and the different roles wholesale and ecommerce play across the two businesses.

Elizabeth and Laura also explore selecting the right retail partners, supporting independent boutiques, protecting brand value, founder-led marketing and what is connecting with customers in the current fashion landscape.

They also discuss how Laura and her team are using AI across data analysis, reporting, technical processes and supplier communication, while protecting the human creativity at the heart of the brands.

The episode explores:


Laura’s decade of industry experience before starting her own brand


Launching Kinga Csilla with a $5,000 investment and no formal business plan


Building a self-funded fashion business through reinvestment and resilience


Learning from production challenges and strengthening quality-control processes


Balancing creative instinct with customer insight and commercial performance


Building production partnerships across India, Indonesia and China


Preserving artisanal craftsmanship as the business grows


The inspiration and strategy behind launching Ciao Ciao Vacation


Managing two brands with distinct identities, customers and price points


Balancing wholesale and direct-to-consumer growth


Choosing retail partners and protecting long-term brand value


Founder visibility, storytelling and what is working in fashion marketing


Using AI to support fashion operations, data and production


The mindset and support systems behind Laura’s journey


What excites Laura about the future of her brands and the fashion industry

CONNECT WITH LAURA AND HER BRANDS

Laura Liles on Instagram: @‌laura_liles_

Kinga Csilla: kingacsilla.com

Kinga Csilla on Instagram: @‌kinga_csilla

Ciao Ciao Vacation: ciaociaovacation.com

Ciao Ciao Vacation on Instagram: @‌ciao.ciao.vacation

WORK WITH US

––––––––––––––––

Upcoming Online Masterclass — Register Now

Join our upcoming AI for Fashion Masterclass

AI for Fashion E-commerce | Practical AI Systems to Create, Convert and Grow — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting  

About Fashion Business Mindset

Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.

Work with Fashion Equipped

Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution. 

Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.

This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.

Interested in Strategic Advisory?

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.

Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

Connect with us:

Instagram: @‌fashionequipped

Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC

Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped

Interested in Sponsorship?

We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.

To learn more, reach out via email at elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.

What does it really take to build two fashion brands while protecting their creative identities, commercial foundations and long-term value?
In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa speaks with Laura Liles, founder and creative director of Australian fashion labels Kinga Csilla and Ciao Ciao Vacation.
After spending a decade working across the Australian fashion industry, Laura launched Kinga Csilla in 2017 with a small collection, a $5,000 investment and a desire to create a more considered fashion business and workplace.
Laura shares the realities of building the brand through years of reinvestment, family sacrifice and what she describes as blind faith. She reflects on the early production challenge that forced her to strengthen the business, the importance of learning through difficult moments and the confidence that comes from experience.
The conversation explores Laura&rsquo;s creative process and how she balances design instinct with customer feedback and commercial performance. She also takes us behind the scenes of her production network across India, Indonesia and China, sharing how she has built long-term relationships while maintaining quality, transparency and artisanal craftsmanship.
Laura discusses the inspiration and strategy behind launching Ciao Ciao Vacation, how she maintains a distinct identity for each label and the different roles wholesale and ecommerce play across the two businesses.
Elizabeth and Laura also explore selecting the right retail partners, supporting independent boutiques, protecting brand value, founder-led marketing and what is connecting with customers in the current fashion landscape.
They also discuss how Laura and her team are using AI across data analysis, reporting, technical processes and supplier communication, while protecting the human creativity at the heart of the brands.
The episode explores:
<ul data-indent-level="1">
<li>
Laura&rsquo;s decade of industry experience before starting her own brand
</li>
<li>
Launching Kinga Csilla with a $5,000 investment and no formal business plan
</li>
<li>
Building a self-funded fashion business through reinvestment and resilience
</li>
<li>
Learning from production challenges and strengthening quality-control processes
</li>
<li>
Balancing creative instinct with customer insight and commercial performance
</li>
<li>
Building production partnerships across India, Indonesia and China
</li>
<li>
Preserving artisanal craftsmanship as the business grows
</li>
<li>
The inspiration and strategy behind launching Ciao Ciao Vacation
</li>
<li>
Managing two brands with distinct identities, customers and price points
</li>
<li>
Balancing wholesale and direct-to-consumer growth
</li>
<li>
Choosing retail partners and protecting long-term brand value
</li>
<li>
Founder visibility, storytelling and what is working in fashion marketing
</li>
<li>
Using AI to support fashion operations, data and production
</li>
<li>
The mindset and support systems behind Laura&rsquo;s journey
</li>
<li>
What excites Laura about the future of her brands and the fashion industry
</li>
</ul>
CONNECT WITH LAURA AND HER BRANDS
Laura Liles on Instagram: @&zwnj;laura_liles_
Kinga Csilla: <a href="https://kingacsilla.com/" data-renderer-mark="true" data-is-router-link="false" data-testid="link-with-safety">kingacsilla.com</a>
Kinga Csilla on Instagram: @&zwnj;kinga_csilla
Ciao Ciao Vacation: <a href="https://ciaociaovacation.com/" data-renderer-mark="true" data-is-router-link="false" data-testid="link-with-safety">ciaociaovacation.com</a>
Ciao Ciao Vacation on Instagram: @&zwnj;ciao.ciao.vacation
WORK WITH US
&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;
Upcoming Online Masterclass &mdash; Register Now
Join our upcoming AI for Fashion Masterclass
<a href="https://fashionequipped.com.au/ai-for-fashion-e-commerce-register-now" data-testid="inline-card-resolved-view">AI for Fashion E-commerce | Practical AI Systems to Create, Convert and Grow &mdash; Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting</a> &nbsp;
About Fashion Business Mindset
Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.
Work with Fashion Equipped
Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution.&nbsp;
Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making &mdash; helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.
This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.
Interested in Strategic Advisory?
The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.
Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.
<a href="https://fashionequipped.com.au/the-fashion-business-growth-roadmap" data-renderer-mark="true" data-is-router-link="false" data-testid="link-with-safety">The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped &mdash; Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting</a>
Connect with us:
Instagram: @&zwnj;fashionequipped
Podcast Insta: @&zwnj;fashionbusinessmindset
Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/fashionequipped" data-renderer-mark="true" data-is-router-link="false" data-testid="link-with-safety">Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC</a>
Website: <a href="http://www.fashionequipped.com.au/" data-renderer-mark="true" data-is-router-link="false" data-testid="link-with-safety">Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped</a>
Interested in Sponsorship?
We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.
To learn more, reach out via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au" data-renderer-mark="true" data-is-router-link="false" data-testid="link-with-safety">elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au</a> or DM @&zwnj;fashionbusinessmindset
Let&rsquo;s build your next phase of growth &mdash; with clarity and confidence.

Fashion Business Mindset is your FROW seat to 'real' stories from Designers, Brands, Entrepreneurs, Makers & Mentors. Our mission? To increase the success rate in the Fashion Industry by creating a dynamic fashion business eco-system. Fashion Business Mindset provides industry insights and insider access to The Future of Fashion. Hosted & created by Elizabeth Formosa, the Founder of Fashion Equipped.

https://fashionequipped.com.au/

Fashion Business Mindset is your FROW seat to 'real' stories from Designers, Brands, Entrepreneurs, Makers &amp; Mentors. Our mission? To increase the success rate in the Fashion Industry by creating a dynamic fashion business eco-system. Fashion Business Mindset provides industry insights and insider access to The Future of Fashion. Hosted &amp; created by Elizabeth Formosa, the Founder of Fashion Equipped.
<a href="https://fashionequipped.com.au/">https://fashionequipped.com.au/</a>

Fashion Business Mindset is your FROW seat to the ‘real’ stories from Designers, Brands, Entrepreneurs, Makers & Mentors.

Fashion Business Mindset

Fashion Business Mindset is your FROW seat to 'real' stories from Brands, Designers, Entrepreneurs, Makers and Mentors. Our mission? For you to tap into a dynamic fashion business elevation eco-system. Fashion Business Mindset provides access to rare conversations with industry thought leaders and changemakers. You'll gain insider access to The Future of Fashion. Hosted & created by Elizabeth Formosa, the Founder of Fashion Equipped.

https://fashionequipped.com.au/



-- 

This is a Guide Your Light Network Production | Podcasts with Purpose

www.guideyourlightnetwork.com

Fashion Business Mindset is your FROW seat to 'real' stories from Brands, Designers, Entrepreneurs, Makers and Mentors. Our mission? For you to tap into a dynamic fashion business elevation eco-system. Fashion Business Mindset provides access to rare conversations with industry thought leaders and changemakers. You'll gain insider access to The Future of Fashion. Hosted &amp; created by Elizabeth Formosa, the Founder of Fashion Equipped.
<a href="https://fashionequipped.com.au/">https://fashionequipped.com.au/</a>
 
-- 
This is a Guide Your Light Network Production | Podcasts with Purpose
<a href="http://www.guideyourlightnetwork.com">www.guideyourlightnetwork.com</a>