Celebrating 20 years of bold colors, statement silhouettes, and unapologetic femininity, Erika Peña brings her signature Latin-inspired resortwear to Bali. In an exclusive conversation with L’Officiel Philippines, the designer reflects on her creative journey, embracing her heritage, and the vision behind her colorful world.

Some women dress to blend in. Erika Peña dresses to be remembered. A riot of vibrant colors, elaborate jewels, and voluminous, flouncy dresses, her signature aesthetic is unapologetically bold, feminine, and unmistakably Latin. For the resort designer, fashion expresses personality, celebrates womanhood, and invites us to embrace the extraordinary. Now, as she marks 20 years of her eponymous brand, Erika invites guests into her colorful world on the shores of Bali.
L’Officiel Philippines was invited to a workcation at W Bali – Seminyak, where we experienced her anniversary collection, a vibrant interplay of color-blocked dresses, brightly colored skirts and pants, and an eclectic mix of textures and silhouettes. Dedicated to women of all ages, the collection celebrates the joy of dressing, blending playful femininity with the maximalist flair of her Latin roots. From statement-making ensembles to versatile pieces that transition effortlessly from day to evening, Erika's designs embrace individuality and the freedom to express oneself through fashion.
As she celebrates two decades in the industry, the designer reflects on the evolution of her brand, the influences that have shaped her aesthetic, and the importance of staying true to her vision. In an exclusive interview with L’Officiel Philippines, Erika opens up about her creative process, the role of her Puerto Rican heritage in her designs, and how embracing her identity has helped define the Erika Peña woman. Looking ahead, she shares her ambitions for the next chapter of the brand, from expanding internationally to building a lasting legacy that celebrates women, individuality, and the art of dressing boldly.

Can you walk us through your creative process for this collection?
I usually draw inspiration from women. I imagine the woman I'm dressing and what she would wear. That's how I approach designing for my brand.
For this 20th anniversary collection, I started thinking about who my woman is. I reflected on Erika Peña throughout the different phases of my life: my 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. What would I wear? What makes me feel the most fabulous?
Ultimately, the collection became a reflection of me throughout the years. It's a mix of all my favorite silhouettes and everything that makes me feel fabulous.
How did you edit the collection and decide which colors and silhouettes to keep?
That's a hard one for me because I have a million ideas. I start by working on the walls with the patterns and draping, making the dresses and experimenting with colors. Then I hang everything together and see how the pieces look as a collection.
I try them on models, and sometimes I think, "Okay, this is beautiful, but it's not flowing. It's not a smooth transition. It doesn't fit with the collection."
So I approach it almost like a stylist would. I imagine I'm selling the collection in a boutique and ask myself how everything would look hanging together.
If I don't absolutely love a piece, I cut it. If I feel like, "I need this. This is definitely Erika Peña," then I keep it. And if I love the design but the color isn't right, I'll remake it in another color.
It's really about creating a gradient of colors that flows smoothly and makes sense to me.

What's your favorite piece from the collection, and why?
The dress I wore is one of my favorite pieces. Again, it's a high-low silhouette. I love having a shorter front because it's a little sexy and playful, with a dramatic, long train in the back. That's my diva!
I would describe my pieces as playful, statement-making diva pieces.
I also love my balloon pants. I made them in chiffon with ombré colors and paired them with a wrap shirt that you can wear in eight different ways. I love pieces that transition and can be wrapped and styled in multiple ways. You get so much more out of them.
There's also the Odessa top and the Sylvie genie pants. I named them after Sylvie from Emily in Paris because I love her style. I'm definitely in my Sylvie era of life!
How have your Puerto Rican roots and travels influenced your design aesthetic over the years?
The funny thing is, I've always designed resort wear because I'm an island girl. I'm from the Caribbean, and when you think of the Caribbean, you think of resort wear. It's always been in my DNA.
I love big jewelry and statement pieces. I'm Latina through and through. I'm not a minimalist; I'm quite the opposite. I'm a maximalist, and I've really embraced that.
Growing up in the United States, in a very conservative part of the country, it was difficult to embrace my Latin, over-the-top personality. But the older I get and the more I travel, the more I realize that it's what sets me and my brand apart.
That's the Erika Peña brand. When you see it, you know it's fun, sexy, and Latin. I've embraced that identity, and I make sure every piece carries a little bit of my heritage.
When you think of Latinas, you think of being sexy and fun. That's what I try to create with my designs. It's about comfort, but also about being sexy, fun, and making a statement.

Looking back on 20 years, what's been the key to staying true to your vision and growing the brand?
I think what's worked well is staying true to my vision. I try not to follow trends. In fact, I'll sometimes create a trend or a style, and then it becomes popular later, which I'm happy about.
I don't follow trends or seasons. In fashion, there's a lot of structure around what you're supposed to do. You have to follow seasons, you have to do this, you have to do that. And I'm like, "No, I'm going to do whatever the hell I want!"
The older I get, the less I care about following those rules. I trust my gut and do what I love.
Honestly, my brand really took off when I started loving myself as a woman and embracing what I represent. That's when I realized that being different was my strength.
I think people are looking for something that stands out. It's not for everyone, but people want something that makes them feel good about themselves and expresses who they are.
That's what my clients tell me. They'll say, "I wear one of your pieces, and everyone stops me. I'm always getting compliments. It makes me feel good about myself."
I dress women of all sizes and backgrounds. My designs are really about empowering women and making them feel like goddesses. It's a universal kind of woman-empowerment attire.
What are your dreams for Erika Peña over the next 20 years?
My vision and dream for the next 20 years is to expand Erika Peña and open stores around the world, particularly in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Europe.
I'd love to have international flagship stores and expand into designing everything that completes the Erika Peña woman. Even cosmetics. I want to design her hair, her makeup, her entire look from head to toe. I know how I want that woman to look.
Ultimately, I'd love to leave a legacy. Hopefully, my daughter will want to step into my shoes one day. She already does a little bit of designing.
I just want to leave the Erika Peña mark on the world. That's my vision, and that's my dream.

A Life in Color: Erika Peña Celebrates 20 Years

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