Peace Love World

Peace Love World is a luxury-lifestyle brand based in Miami, Fla. The first Peace Love World retail store opened in South Miami in 2009 with additional stores quickly following.[1] Today Peace Love World has a robust e-commerce division, operates seven stores in South Florida, two in Hong Kong, and is sold in over 2,000 boutiques across the country. The brand is also carried in Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Kitson, with global distribution in over 18 countries. The company also launched collaboration with Pharrell Williams, Coca-Cola, The Dallas Cowboys and The National Basketball Association.

Started in 2007, the brand produces apparel, accessories and home goods for women, men, children and pets.

Company History and Expansion

You'll find Peace Love World's Creator, Visionary and Designer Alina Villasante’s daily mantras imprinted onto every Peace Love World garment.[2] The self-made entrepreneur and designer infuses her life philosophies into what has today become a global lifestyle brand. Born in Havana, Cuba, Alina’s spirit has long since been bubbling over with contagious passion and unbridled energy.

Alina, the only girl in a family of four brothers, moved to Miami when she was 18. Once in the sun shine state, she met two of her best friends, and the trio soon began identifying themselves as Peace, Love, and Happiness, with Alina representing Love. While Alina’s energy was devoted to building a successful aviation business and raising three beautiful children during the first chapter of her adult life, she still found time to pursue her love of fashion. She was a natural trendsetter, hosting fashion shows at her home and frequently doling out style advice to colleagues and friends. In 1999, Alina wanted to celebrate and honor all the special women in her life with what became known as the “Love Party.” This turned into an annual event with specially designed T-shirts, pajamas, and jewelry created by Alina, incorporating her signature symbols of Peace, Love and Happiness. Her friends’ obsession with the tees inspired Alina to take her love of fashion to the next level, and after 17 years in the aviation industry, Alina sold the company. In 2007, she combined her commitment to spreading positivity and her passion for design and fabrics to officially launch Peace Love World.

Media, Events, and Celebrity Following

Peace Love World appears on American network television shows like Dancing With The Stars Keeping Up With The Kardashians and So You Think You Can Dance?.[3] In 2009, So You Think You Can Dance Season Five winner Jeanine Mason was named a "PLW Brand Ambassador"[4][5]

In 2013, Peace Love World produced a limited edition T-shirt for NBA Championship team Miami Heat, sold exclusively at American Airlines Arena.[6]

In 2014, Peace Love World received its NBA license, expanding its “I Am Game” collection–which previously included licensed apparel for the Miami Heat and Dallas Cowboys–to include apparel for the Pacers, Spurs and Thunder. Before the 2014-15 season, Peace Love World will launch designs for all 30 NBA teams, including tops, hoodies, pants, T-shirts and jackets. In expanding Peace Love World’s NBA reach, Villasante hopes to not only provide women what they like, but allow them to send a message as to what they want as sports fans in terms of fashion. ”Women don’t just want to go to the game and watch it. They want to go to the game and feel like they are stepping on the red carpet,” she said in an interview with Forbes.[7]

Additional celebrities and personalities seen in Peace Love World apparel include Ellen DeGeneres,[8] Taylor Swift,[9] Sarah Palin,[10] Halle Berry,[11] Nicole Scherzinger, Britney Spears,[12] Jennifer Garner,[13] Steven Tyler,[14]Kim Kardashian,[15] Juanes[16] and Jennifer Lopez, who wore the brand in her video for 2011 single "Papi."[17]

Charity and Civic Contributions

Giving back is one of Alina’s core values. Peace Love World remains true to its name, spreading peace and love through endeavors like its support of Zanmi Beni, a shelter for abandoned and disabled children in Haiti, and collaborations with special partners in breast cancer, autism and multiple sclerosis. “I have always wanted to do something like this, to tell a story, to make a difference in the world,” Alina says. Peace Love World is about experiencing fashion via the soul – mind, body and spirit.

Peace Love World contributes to social causes through sales and donations. Such projects include "T's 4 Tots," which gives one shirt to a child for every tee sold.[18] Villasante also created the "One World One Love" Campaign. In November 2010 and January 2011, Peace Love World traveled to Haiti with non-profit health organization Partners in Health to aid in post-earthquake relief.[18] The brand continues to support its Haiti efforts by donating to Partners in Health.[19]

References

  1. ↑ Jordan, Diana. "T-Shirt Designer Spreads Her Philosophy to Needy Children in Haiti," The Miami Herald, October 11, 2011
  2. ↑ "CEO Corner: Alina VIllasante, CEO of Peace Love World," CBS4 News Miami, October 20, 2011
  3. ↑ "'Dancing' Stars Sport Miami Style," Local 10 WPLG ABC Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, October 5, 2010
  4. ↑ http://peaceloveworld.com/index.php/plwambassadorsjeaninemason/
  5. ↑ Jones, Jen. Dance Spirit Magazine, November 13, 2009
  6. ↑ "Heat Fans Swarm Stores for Championship Merchandise," WSVN News 7 Miami, June 21, 2013.
  7. ↑ "The NBA Signs Fashion Company Peace Love World To Meet The Growing Demand Of Its Women's Apparel Market," Forbes.com, May 24, 2014
  8. ↑ "Ten Hot Stories: Peace Love World," Grazia Magazine (Bulgaria), March 2011
  9. ↑ Citation Text7.
  10. ↑ Walshe, Shushannah, ABC News, September 26, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Star Tracks," PeopleMagazine, March 2, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Britney Spears Tweets 'Oh La La' Behind The Scenes Pic!," JustJared.com, June 12, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Celebrity Fitness Stars: Fitness Mom," E! News Online.
  14. ↑ "Branded Benevolence," Ocean Drive Magazine, February 2012
  15. ↑ Shira, Dhavi, "People" Magazine, December, 2, 2011.
  16. ↑ Abranavel, Lesley. "Timbaland's son Demetrius Spins at Baoli," Miami Herald, August 19, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Jennifer Lopez Begins Work on What to Expect When You're Expecting," UsWeekly Magazine, July 22, 2011.
  18. 1 2 Citation Text 5
  19. ↑ Bass, Debra. "Things I'd Buy," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 21, 2011
Dahlberg, Nancy. "On the move: Peace Love World opens on Miracle Mile," The Miami Herald, October 2012.

Macatee, Rebecca. "New Store Alert: Peace Love World, Miami Famous, January 16, 2013.

Chen, Joyce.

Flitsch, Byron. Britney Spears Coffee LOVE Sweatshirt, Buzzworthy, MTV. January 15, 2013.

External links

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