Inspiring Conversations with Octavia Holder of VIAPLUSH

Today we’d like to introduce you to Octavia Holder.

Hi Octavia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From Sketches to Statement Pieces: My Journey to the Afro Spirit Collection

I have always loved fashion. For me, it was never just about clothes—it was an escape, a way to imagine a life beyond the one I was living. Growing up in Jamaica with my siblings and my father, life wasn’t always comfortable. But in the middle of that, I found creativity. I would sketch designs inspired by what I saw around me and what I imagined in my mind, creating a world that felt like my own.

Everything shifted when I discovered shows like America’s Next Top Model and Project Runway. Watching designers bring their ideas to life made something click for me. What once felt like a distant dream started to feel possible. That’s when my passion grew into a real desire to become a fashion designer.

But life has a way of redirecting your path. As I stepped into adulthood, responsibilities took over, and my dream had to be put on hold. Even then, it never truly left me—it just sat in the background, waiting. In 2021, I tried to pursue fashion entrepreneurship for the first time, but limited resources forced me to pause that journey again.

In 2025, I made a promise to myself: no matter what it takes, I am going to make this dream a reality. I stopped waiting for the “perfect” time and decided that the next opportunity I had to fund and launch—even something small—I would take it.

That decision led me here.

Today, I am proud to introduce the Afro Spirit Casual Collection for Spring/Summer 2026 under my brand, Viaplush. This collection is more than just clothing—it’s a reflection of my story, my culture, and my purpose. Every piece is designed with intention. I want people to not only wear these clothes but to feel them—to connect with the message behind them.

Viaplush is not just about fashion. It’s about storytelling. It’s about wearing something that represents identity, resilience, and expression. I have so much within me—so many ideas, so much creativity—and this is just the beginning of sharing that with the world.

My goal is to build something that lasts. A brand that speaks. A brand that carries stories forward through art expressed in quality apparel.

And most importantly, I’m proof that a dream doesn’t die—it waits for you to choose it again.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The struggles I’ve faced along this journey are honestly too many to fully capture—but a few have shaped me in ways I’ll never forget.
Financing and marketing have been the biggest challenges so far. I needed funding to bring my vision to life, but with bad credit and no proven concept yet, I couldn’t secure a loan—not even short-term support. That was a turning point for me. I realized that the dream I could see so clearly wasn’t visible to anyone else yet. And because of that, it was my responsibility to believe in it enough to fund it myself—to build it until others could finally see what I’ve always seen.
Even now, marketing remains a hurdle. I still need funding to push the brand to a wider audience, but I’ve made peace with the process. I’m taking it one day at a time, doing what I can with what I have, and staying consistent. Progress over perfection.
Another challenge has been finding the right manufacturers—people who can truly bring my designs to life the way I envision them. That process has been a learning experience in itself. This is my first official collection, and I’m still growing, still refining, still understanding every part of the business as I go.
Now, I’m facing a new challenge: getting these pieces into the hands of my audience. I want people to experience the intention, the energy, and the story behind every design for themselves. Because once they do, I know they’ll feel the power behind it.
This journey hasn’t been easy—but it’s real, it’s mine, and I’m building it step by step.

We’ve been impressed with VIAPLUSH, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is more than a fashion brand—it’s a brand with a purpose. What excites me most isn’t just creating clothing, but what the brand will be able to do beyond fashion. Once Viaplush becomes profitable and sustainable, my goal is to create funding opportunities for young entrepreneurs—especially those who, like me, have the vision but lack the resources to bring it to life.

What truly sets my brand apart is its purpose-driven foundation. I’ve always wanted to do something meaningful beyond simply making money doing what I love. Viaplush gives me that opportunity. It allows me to turn my passion into impact—to create something that not only looks good, but stands for something bigger.
I want readers to understand that this is not just another clothing brand. We create pieces that speak—art that tells stories, sparks emotion, and represents something deeper. More importantly, we aim to create real change by giving back to our community and investing in people in ways I never had access to. I want to help make someone else’s dream feel more possible, more supported, and more attainable.

If there’s one thing I’m known for, it’s resilience. I’ve faced setbacks, delays, and failures—but I’ve never let them stop me. Every failure taught me something, and every lesson pushed me forward. That mindset is woven into everything I build.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality that has been most important to my success is resilience.

No matter how many setbacks I’ve faced—whether it was lack of funding, failed attempts, or doors being closed—I’ve never allowed those moments to define the end of my journey. Instead, I’ve treated every challenge as a lesson and every delay as part of the process. Resilience is what kept my dream alive when circumstances forced me to pause. It’s what pushed me to try again in 2025 with a stronger mindset and a deeper sense of purpose.

I’ve learned that talent and passion are important, but without resilience, it’s easy to give up when things don’t go as planned. This journey has required me to believe in something that no one else could see yet—and to keep going anyway.

Resilience is not just a trait for me—it’s the foundation of everything I’m building with Viaplush

Pricing:

• T-Shirts Starts at $45.00
• Sweaters $80.00
• Sweats $75

Contact Info:

• Website: https://viaplush.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viaplush.brand
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/viaplush/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vaiplush.brand