We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heather Julianna. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heather below.

Alright, Heather thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Launching my own luxury brand, JULIANNA MILANO, was by far the biggest risk I’ve ever taken — and the most rewarding. I walked away from stability, structure, and a traditional career path to pursue a vision that felt deeply personal, creative, and culturally rooted.

What made this leap even riskier was the choice to build a brand centered around exotic materials — a niche that requires precision, responsibility, and deep conviction in an era where sustainability and ethics are rightfully under a spotlight. But I believed there was space for a new conversation: one that paired responsible sourcing with elevated design and celebrated slow fashion through heritage-level craftsmanship.

I didn’t have a roadmap — just a clear vision, a global perspective shaped by my multicultural background, and an affinity for quality. The brand took shape through close collaboration with Italian artisans, a commitment to upcycled exotic materials, and a refined, enduring design philosophy. I poured everything into designing something that felt intentional, not just beautiful — a brand that would stand for integrity, rarity, and artful storytelling.

There were moments of doubt — plenty of them. But the risk taught me to trust my creative intuition, refine my instincts, and find strength in navigating uncertainty with intention. In the end, the greatest leap wasn’t creating the product — it was daring to trust myself fully. And that kind of conviction is the boldest step of all.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m the founder and creative lead of JULIANNA MILANO, a sustainable luxury brand rooted in heritage, refinement, and innovation. We specialize in ethically crafted accessories made from responsibly sourced exotic materials — including upcycled salmon leather and traceable ostrich — that are as enduring as they are elevated. Our mission is to challenge the outdated perception of exotic luxury and offer a new narrative: one built on integrity, purpose, and timeless craftsmanship.

We’ve recently launched our debut summer collection — a limited, handcrafted release produced in Italy, blending heritage design with a forward-thinking approach to sustainability. Each piece is designed to transcend trends and honor both the artistry of high fashion and the intention behind it. It’s not just about what we make — it’s about how we make it, and why.

As a female founder with an unconventional path, I’m deeply committed to building a brand that feels personal, thoughtful, and lasting. JULIANNA MILANO is still in its early chapters, but it’s growing into something I believe has the power to reshape what modern luxury can look and feel like.

You can explore the collection at www. juliannamilano.com or follow along on Instagram at @juliannamilano — and be part of our story as it unfolds.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

When I started JULIANNA MILANO, I knew that the quality of craftsmanship would be at the heart of everything. I wasn’t interested in mass-producing accessories — I wanted to create collectible, heirloom-quality pieces that reflect refinement, precision, and purpose.

While I had a strong creative vision and an understanding of design, I had to learn the manufacturing side from the ground up, especially since I chose to work with exotic materials. It took years of research, networking, and sampling with various artisans across Europe before I found the right partners in Italy — small heritage workshops with decades of experience working with luxury exotics like ostrich, lizard, and upcycled salmon.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that cultivating artisanal craftsmanship demands intention, discipline, and strong partnerships — especially when working across time zones, cultures, and languages. Communication is one of the most critical and challenging aspects of international production. It takes real effort — from waking up early to accommodate time differences, to going the extra mile to ensure every message is clearly written and accurately received, especially when navigating language barriers. Aligning on quality, timelines, and ethics requires a level of patience and consistency that often end up overlooked behind the scenes. I’ve also come to understand and appreciate that sustainable luxury isn’t just about the materials — it’s about the entire process: how something is made, who makes it, and the values behind each step. Finding the right manufacturer wasn’t about who could deliver the fastest — it was about finding artisans who shared the same values, passion, and commitment to excellence. I was looking for partners who understood that what we’re creating isn’t just a product — it’s a piece of a larger story, one rooted in integrity, craft, and purpose. That alignment is what gives each JULIANNA MILANO piece its inherent value.

Any advice for managing a team?

As a founder, I believe in leading with both clarity and compassion. Whether it’s a small internal team, contractors, or overseas production partners, I’ve found that people perform their best when they feel respected, understood, and trusted.

My advice? Communicate your vision clearly — and listen with humility. The people you work with aren’t just executing a task; they’re bringing your brand to life. I try to create a space where collaboration is not only welcome but encouraged. When people feel ownership over their part of the process, morale naturally rises.

I’ve also learned that consistency in communication — even just checking in, sharing progress, or celebrating small wins — goes a long way. In a creative business, things are always evolving, but maintaining emotional steadiness as a leader creates safety and trust.

Lastly, I truly believe that how you treat your team becomes part of your brand’s reputation. Just as you invest in product, packaging, or marketing — you have to invest in your people. Because true sustainability isn’t just reflected in the outward polish of a brand — it’s embedded in the roots — in the integrity, care, and character of the people behind it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.juliannamilano.com
• Instagram: @juliannamilano @heather.julianna
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/julianna-milano-inc/