17 Sept 2026
Building Brands with Creativity, Conviction & Care | Laura Liles, Founder Kinga Csilla & Ciao Ciao Vacation
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 (https://kingacsilla.com/)
Kinga Csilla on Instagram: @‌kinga_csilla
Ciao Ciao Vacation: ciaociaovacation.com (https://ciaociaovacation.com/)
Ciao Ciao Vacation on Instagram: @‌ciao.ciao.vacation
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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.
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To learn more, reach out via email at elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au (mailto:elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au) or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset
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