About Us

Founder

I am Martha J. Nieto. I’m Colombian by birth, but after having lived in South America, North America and Europe, as well as traveling extensively around Asia for business, I consider myself a citizen of the world. In my career, I’ve had the privilege of acquiring extensive experience in the fashion industry, through 20 years working with high-level designers at top Luxury European companies including Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, L’Oréal, Gianfranco Ferre, Trussardi and Frette. A teacher at heart, I've also had the privilege of working with important Fashion Universities and Institutes such as La Salle College, The Parsons School of Design and Accademia Costume and Moda.  

One of my all-time dreams has been to create a fashion business that I can call my own. So here we go! I present to you: The Lulo Project, a resort brand for laidback elegance, with a modern African diaspora influence. 

The Lulo Project (TLP) can be traced back to my origins. Lulo is a citrus fruit that you mainly find in Colombia (Lulo or Naranjilla, which means "little orange" in Spanish). The fruit is refreshing and colorful, and it represents the stuff of good memories for me: my family, my hometown and the smiles of my people.

About five years ago, while living in Italy, I found the fruit in a street market, alongside a wonderful small vendor who imports it. It put a smile on my face, a smile that I was then able to share (and replicate) with every person who has ever come to my home in Italy. 

This is the inspiration for The Lulo Project: I want to give people in (often impersonal) urban centers a feeling of “home,” or "vacation" a garment or object that feels refreshing, colorful, bold and exotic all at the same time, always bringing a smile to their face. 

The brand 

“Feeling safe going out means taking ‘home’ outside.”

I think of Lulo as a comfy chic resort brand with a modern African diaspora influence. Lulo  is all about laidback elegance, about being comfortable while always looking great.  Our pieces are very versatile and everything can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Wear it while working from home, then add some accessories and you're ready to hop out for cocktail time. 

We are a value-based brand, and our products will always be designed, crafted and sold based on our four core principles: Comfort Chic, Diversity, Sustainability, and Inclusiveness. We are committed to offering 90% of our materials made of natural or sustainable sources, and our pieces will  always reflect the diversity in cultures, sizes and tastes. 

In the spirit of reclaiming the public urban spaces for ourselves, we have developed a brand that allows you to take that “home” feeling wherever you go. A resort or also loungewear brand that is not limited to bikinis, tunics and sweatpants but that actually redefines “comfortable” as a fashionable alternative. Clothing that is effortlessly chic, that can be worn everywhere you go.