Fashion with Purpose: Lofty Style with Camila Ortiz & Wander Cordeiro

Miami Living sits down with Lofty Style founders Camila Ortiz and Wander Cordeiro, a husband-and-wife duo behind one of Brazil’s most successful fashion brands, with more than 60 stores nationwide.

Rooted in Brazilian culture and guided by purpose, Lofty Style reflects a shared vision of meaningful, timeless design shaped by personal experience. The founders share their entrepreneurial journey, the values that define their brand, and why now is the right moment to expand into the U.S. market.

Miami Living: Tell me about your career as an entrepreneur. What motivated you to create Lofty Style?

Camila: My journey began long before Lofty Style existed. I entered the fashion world at a young age, selling clothing in shopping malls. It was there that I learned how to truly observe people, to understand their needs, their desires, and what made them feel confident. That’s when I realized that, for me, fashion was never just about aesthetics; it was about connection.

During that time, I met Wander, who began as my manager and later became my greatest partner in both life and business. He is my husband, my daily support, and the person who believed in me when everything was still just a dream. Together, we opened the first Lofty Style store with almost nothing. No prior experience, no capital, just faith, a deep desire to serve, and the determination to build something that could truly make a difference in women’s lives.

Lofty Style was born from that sense of purpose: the desire to bring meaning to fashion and to create pieces that make women feel seen, respected, beautiful, and comfortable all at once.

Miami Living: What was the most important lesson you learned when transforming Lofty Style into what it is today?

Camila: The most important lesson I’ve learned is that purpose sustains you through any obstacle. Throughout our journey, we had to redefine the brand more than once, especially during challenging periods such as the pandemic.

It was during those moments that I understood even more clearly that when a company is built on authentic values and refuses to simply sell fashion, it finds resilience, creativity, and solutions. Leadership is not only about strategic decisions; it’s about having the courage to protect the soul of the brand, even when the market feels uncertain.

Miami Living: What sets Lofty Style apart from other brands in the same segment?

Wander: Lofty Style stands out because we create fashion with people at the center, not just products. Every collection, every fabric selection, and every design decision is inspired by real women and their real lives, rather than seasonal trend reports.

Our DNA is timeless and guided by meaning: pieces designed to be worn, lived in, and remembered.

Miami Living: What are you best known for?

Wander: Lofty Style is known for delivering natural elegance without compromising comfort. We are recognized for creating a smart wardrobe, pieces that fit beautifully, function effortlessly in everyday life, transcend seasons, and build a genuine emotional connection with the women who wear them.

Miami Living: Can you describe your design or product philosophy? What influences your creative process?

Camila: My design philosophy is simple: intention before trend. I don’t create based solely on what’s currently trending. I first think about the woman who will wear the piece, what she experiences, what she needs, and what may be missing from her wardrobe.

I find inspiration in everyday life, in conversations, personal experiences, and the real challenges women face. My creative process begins with sincere listening and ends with pieces that tell stories, carry meaning, and have soul.

Miami Living: You are launching your online store in the U.S. this year. Why is now the right time for Lofty Style to enter the American market?

Wander: Expanding into the United States feels like a natural evolution of our journey. For years, Lofty Style has been built on a strong foundation, developing products with a distinct identity, strengthening our internal culture, and nurturing a loyal community in Brazil. We never rushed growth; we built it intentionally.

Today, the brand has reached a level of maturity that allows us to enter the international market without needing to reinvent ourselves. The American consumer is sophisticated and discerning and values exactly what we believe in: well-constructed pieces, functional elegance, genuine quality, and design that does not rely on trends to exist.

Entering the U.S. market now means opening a new dialogue with women who appreciate authenticity. It’s about bringing our vision of structured, timeless, and intentional fashion to a space that celebrates strong identity.

This is not an impulsive move. It is a natural next step in who we’ve become.

Miami Living: How do you plan to adapt or localize the brand for American consumers while remaining true to your origins?

Camila: For us, adaptation does not mean losing identity. We want to listen, learn, and connect with the American consumer while staying true to our foundation of connection, meaning, and purpose.

We will respect local habits, climate, lifestyle, and specific needs while proudly maintaining our Brazilian essence. We see this expansion as a cultural dialogue, not a reinvention of who we are.

Miami Living: You travel to Miami often. What are your favorite places and activities in the city?

Camila: Miami inspires me with its unique blend of design, art, and multicultural energy. I love walking through the Design District, observing the architecture, the details, and how different cultures express themselves visually.

Whenever possible, I spend time near the ocean. There’s something about the immensity of the sea that brings clarity, organizes my thoughts, and reconnects creativity with purpose.

Miami expands horizons, and as an entrepreneur, that kind of inspiration is always welcome.

By ML Staff. Photos/Lofty Style