Ariel Swedroe: She’s An Entrepreneur; Oh Yes, and She’s 12

Ariel Swedroe-Chispa MagazineHaving just turned 12 this past August, Ariel Swedroe Weinberg, a 7th grade student living in Surfside, Florida, is very petite; fortunately, being small for her age doesn’t hamper her from doing anything. This includes challenging homework assignments, making art gifts for family and friends, demanding physical activities, oh yes, and did we mention she’s a fashion designer, too?

She had an assignment from Angie Cohen, teacher extraordinaire, founder, and creative director of Design Lab in North Miami Beach: Make a garment out of unconventional materials came from. Ariel’s creation was a one-of-a-kind in the world: The two-piece knockout emanates from discarded needles used daily for Ariel’s growth hormone injections.

Huh? Yes, you read correctly. You see, Ariel does not produce her own growth hormones; therefore, for the past years and with the guidance of her health care professionals, Ariel has endured daily injections, which will continue for a couple more years. Fortunately, she is doing well enough on this program that it has not deterred her from developing her unique fashion designs and personality.

The days of her needle dress are gone, and it’s actually a total departure from her new line, Swedroe Art to Wear by Ariel. Today, Ariel is known for utilizing original fine art, transferring it to high-quality material, and later creates masterpieces of her own. The colorful and vivid art is that of her grandfather’s, Robert Swedroe, a prominent Miami architect and collage artist. Her designs, not only are they distinguished by a variety of women’s pieces, which includes beachwear and formalwear, she also designs scarves and neckties for men.

And to further her “edge,” her supportive immediate family of mom and dad, twin brother Adam and big brother Anton, along with grandma and grandpa Swedroe, and uncles and cousins and aunts, are available 24/7 to cheer her on.

Q: Starting from taking photos, to laser printing and building kaleidoscopes into fabric, to cutting and designing, how much time is put into each garment? The process from concept to manufacturing takes a couple of weeks for just one garment.​

Q: How many pieces do you have in your first collection? 15-20 pieces, including ties and scarves.​

Q: What can we expect from your second collection and how does it differ from your last creation?
We are using a softer palette; my grandfather just came up with beautiful butterfly collages, which I will be using this season, as well as new fabrics and details.​

As a young entrepreneur, tell us how often you meet with your key players, plus how do the meetings flow? We try to meet once a week. Usually my grandfather will be talking about his new collages that he has created and what galleries he will be showing in or what he is preparing for the upcoming Art Basel in Miami 2015. My mom is involved with talking with the models and assures of that productions are going according to plan. I am involved in the social media, along with my team we work on providing any news to my followers. I know what I like and I usually express my views on how I want things done or where I see the line going.

Q: Now that school has started, how do you balance work and school, plus family and play?
It is really hard. Sometimes I have to skip parties and sleep overs, ​but I know it’s worth it in the end.​

Q: You have mentioned in the past that Valentino is your favorite fashion designer? What attracts you to his work and to his enterprise? What from Valentino would you like to carry onto your company? I like to create things that make a woman feel pretty just like he does. His company does a lot of accessories like shoes and bags and I would love to be able to design shoes, plus more.

Q: What does Ariel believe in?​ I believe in achieving my dreams no matter how hard the challenge is. I believe in myself, but I do have a lot of people in my corner always supporting me. My mentor of whom I am very grateful for, my family, and friends.​

Q: Who gives you strength when you’re on a deadline or simply frustrated with how things are going, whether it be business or personal? My mom, my entire family, my friends, my mentor, and all of the instructors at Design Lab Miami.

Q: What’s on your personal and business vision board? Health, Bergdorf, New York, DASH, Paris, travel, happiness, family…

For more of the photo shoot with Ariel Swedroe, order your copy of the September | October Issue here

Shireen Sandoval Photos by James Woodley \\
Ariel Swedroe Photos by Allana Wesley White

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Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Editor-in-Chief at Chispa Magazine
Mavian Arocha-Rowe is known as an asset to the business and communications industry and is motivating and advocating “your authenticity should be your strategy,” for all women, regardless of their season and roles. For the past 20 years she has directed magazines, plus multiple art and marketing departments as creative director and brand manager. What supersedes all of her great career moves is her role as wife and mother living in Atlanta. Challenging herself to discover and bravely pursue the calling for her life, Arocha-Rowe helps other women discover and pursue their life’s assignment. She is a passionate, and loud-laughing speaker on the topic of purposefully redeemed, and mentors young women so they can exercise a mind that is doctrinally pure, along with a heart that beats toward sanctification. She will almost never turn down Marlow’s Tavern double-tavern cheeseburger, a cooking-demonstration from Leaning Ladder, or any opportunity to head to Miami to spend time with family.
Mavian Arocha-Rowe

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Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Mavian Arocha-Rowe is known as an asset to the business and communications industry and is motivating and advocating “your authenticity should be your strategy,” for all women, regardless of their season and roles. For the past 20 years she has directed magazines, plus multiple art and marketing departments as creative director and brand manager. What supersedes all of her great career moves is her role as wife and mother living in Atlanta. Challenging herself to discover and bravely pursue the calling for her life, Arocha-Rowe helps other women discover and pursue their life’s assignment. She is a passionate, and loud-laughing speaker on the topic of purposefully redeemed, and mentors young women so they can exercise a mind that is doctrinally pure, along with a heart that beats toward sanctification. She will almost never turn down Marlow’s Tavern double-tavern cheeseburger, a cooking-demonstration from Leaning Ladder, or any opportunity to head to Miami to spend time with family.