How does a brand obtain real success, and what metrics should be used to confirm it? While there may not be a perfect answer in the world of fashion, supporters can still celebrate the brands that are making real impact through their creativity.

The world of Collina Strada might manifest in a lush garden, behind the eerie mask of a sharply-beaked bird, or off the runway through the fashion-centric videogame “Collinaland.” The one constant in designer Hillary Taymour’s practice is daring innovation that starts conversations and drops jaws (or beaks).

“Speak your voice… Do not follow what others think you should do, trust your gut and your own personal process,” Taymour told the CFDA. In a landscape that leverages huge importance on the commercialization of creativity, Taymour uses her brand as a business-meets-creative outlet in a truly inspiring manner. This is not without risks, as the designer is open to sharing.

“The pandemic really shifted the brand. I had a huge stock of wholesale inventory that we couldn’t send to stores, so I was able to take that, focus on DTC, and grow that side of the business to a whole new level,” she said.

Being nimble and evolving with the state of the industry is a vital skill that Taymour wields. For example, virtual collections grounded in 3D animation and video games have allowed her and collaborator Charlie Engman to grow the brand’s story, while sustainably delivering fresh and captivating narratives.

Going forward, the designer is “excited to branch out into retail stores and create our world in a more tangible way.”

The footprint of Collina Strada is destined to grow, and along with it the designer’s commitment to stepping out of the conventional, and into the delightfully unknown.