Anika McKelvey, Founder of LAS Travel Loungewear: Stylish Fashion When Traveling
Anika was born in Kingston, Jamaica and migrated to the United States as a young child with her family. She grew up in Maryland where she graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.A in Communications.
As a young girl, Anika watched her grandmother sew garments, linings and drapes for their home and family and she was always intrigued with the art of creating clothing. Although she never became a seamstress herself, fashion has always been a passion of hers.
After working in the media for a while in Maryland and New York, she settled in Florida. She now resides in Miami, FL with her family. When she first moved to Florida, she owned a yoga and Pilates studio and found a love for fitness.
One of her family’s favorite pastimes is traveling. They love traveling to new places and creating wonderful memories. Anika enjoys going to her favorite boutiques and thrift shops in all the new places she visits. Her journey in becoming a fashion designer began with a lifelong passion for fashion and travel. She originally set out to design one travel jacket that embraces style and comfort, but as she began this new career path and the design process unfolded, her creativity blossomed, and her initial vision transformed into something much greater. What started out as a single garment quickly expanded into a full clothing line.
When did you discover your passion for fashion?
I’ve always had a love for fashion and creating outfits. I remember designing clothing for my barbie dolls out of Kleenex and tape. I guess I have always been creative. For me fashion is a way to showcase yourself personally. When I was in elementary school, I remember sneaking my church shoes in my backpack because it went better together with my outfit. I got in so much trouble when my grandmother found out LOL. I didn’t study fashion and didn’t think about starting my own line until about 3 years ago.
One of your family’s pastimes is traveling. How did this lead you to launch your fashion brand, LAS Travel & Lounge?
Our love for travel became the foundation for creating stylish, practical and comfortable. I like to look put together when I travel, but also, I like to be comfortable. So, I bought a long hoodie for traveling and it went well with a lot of my clothes. I wore it all the time and I would get so many compliments about it. But unfortunately, it wasn’t well made and fell apart. So, I decided that I should make my own, but better. I used Bamboo Cotton for a soft feel, double-zip for convenience and a satin-lined hoodie.
What is important to you when you dress for travel?
For me I like to look effortlessly chic. So style must match with comfort is the primary goal. So pieces that are breathable and soft and fit well. I also take in consideration what I’m doing when I land. If I need to go to a meeting or convention, I am going to wear something a little less casual. Or if I’m going straight to dinner something that can be styled with my sneakers for walking through the airport, but will go well with my heels that I picked in my purse.
Share the significance of LAS.
The name LAS comes from the initials of my children, Landon, Ariana, Siena which also stands for how we travel…Land, Air and Sea. My children are my greatest blessings and inspiration. When I started this journey, I prayed for guidance and clarity, and I truly believe God led me here. Naming the brand LAS was my way of honoring what matters to me-my family and the purpose God placed in my heart. It’s a reminder that this work is not just about clothing but about walking in faith, creating with love, and building something meaningful.
Tell us about the Com-Pressi-On Me compression pieces.
Our Com-Pressi-On Me part of the lone uses low grade compression 15-20 MMHG. The Wrap World, Hy-Brid Hoodie, Denim Drifter all have built-in compression sleeves and the Compression Hoodie and Jet-Lag Leggings are full compression.
Share your Compression Collection and some of the benefits.
Compression is mostly known for working out in or post-surgery recovery, but most people don’t associate compression with traveling. Compression is great for long car rides and flights. Also, if you will be standing for a long period of. Compression boosts circulation, which lowers your chance of swelling, varicose veins and blood clots. It also helps to support your muscles so less “heavy leg” and soreness and speeds up recovery.
Tell us about challenges you faced when growing your brand.
Because I didn’t go to fashion school and I don’t know how to sew and I can’t draw, I doubted myself and it took a lot of praying and pushing through when the voices in my head told me that I was crazy to do this. But I just kept working a little at a time until I created something that I’m truly proud of.
What’s next?
We will be rolling out our Com-Press-On Me Romper, which will be renamed to the raffle winner that attended the launch. So, Now it will be the Com-Press-On Me Irina romper. Also, our Japan Knit Jogger will be coming out soon.
https://www.instagram.com/lasloungewear/profilecard/?igsh=cWwzajF4OHJlODFn
