Daily Inspiration: Meet Alida Monroy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alida Monroy.

Hi Alida, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with Cloud & Mist began with a passion for fashion, creativity, and the belief that children’s clothing could be so much more than what we traditionally see. I wanted to create a brand that celebrated individuality, encouraged self-expression, and gave children and teens the freedom to develop their own sense of style.

I’ve always been drawn to fashion that is a little different, pieces that combine elegance with an edgy attitude, unexpected details, and unique silhouettes. I felt there was an opportunity to bring that same creativity and sophistication to children’s fashion without losing the playful spirit of childhood.

That’s how Cloud & Mist came to life.

From the beginning, my vision was to create more than just clothing. I wanted to build a brand that tells a story, where fashion becomes a form of artistic expression. Our philosophy, Style. No Rules, reflects everything we believe in: confidence, imagination, individuality, and the freedom to be yourself.

Like any small business, the journey has come with challenges, countless hours of work, learning experiences, and moments of uncertainty. As an independent brand, every new collection, collaboration, and opportunity represents another step forward. I’ve learned to embrace the creative process, take chances, and continue believing in my vision.

One of the most exciting milestones has been seeing Cloud & Mist on the runway at Los Angeles Fashion Week with The Bureau, as well as having our designs featured in international fashion editorials, including Paris, Italy and Barcelona. Watching young models bring our creations to life has been incredibly rewarding. There’s something special about seeing a design evolve from an idea into a finished piece and then watching a child wear it with confidence and personality.

Another important part of our journey is our commitment to being an animal-friendly brand. I believe fashion can be beautiful, luxurious, and innovative while respecting animals. This philosophy influences the materials we choose and the way we approach our designs.

Today, Cloud & Mist continues to evolve, moving toward a more elevated, editorial, and couture-inspired direction while staying true to its playful and rebellious roots. I’m especially passionate about creating unique statement pieces that feel artistic, sophisticated, and a little unexpected.

What makes this journey most meaningful to me isn’t just the fashion shows or publications, but the people who have become part of it, the talented young models, their supportive families, photographers, artists, and creatives who help bring our vision to life.

I’m incredibly grateful for how far we’ve come, but I also feel that we’re just getting started. My dream is to continue growing Cloud & Mist internationally while staying true to the creativity, individuality, and values that inspired it.

Because to me, fashion isn’t just about what we wear. It’s about who we are, how we express ourselves, and having the confidence to be different.

Cloud & Mist — Style. No Rules.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all! Building Cloud & Mist has been an exciting and rewarding journey, but it has also come with many challenges.

One of the biggest challenges has been building an independent fashion brand while trying to compete in an industry dominated by established names and much larger budgets. As a small business, you quickly learn that creativity is only one part of the equation. Behind every collection, there are countless decisions involving design, production, finances, marketing, and finding the right opportunities to grow.

Another challenge has been bringing my creative vision to life. I have always wanted Cloud & Mist to be different, with unique silhouettes, unexpected details, and a balance between high fashion and youthful expression. Finding the right materials, working through production limitations, and making sure the finished pieces reflect my original vision can sometimes be difficult. There is a lot of trial and error, patience, and problem-solving involved.

Financially, participating in fashion shows, organizing photoshoots, developing new collections, and building brand awareness requires significant investment. I’ve had to learn how to prioritize opportunities, make difficult decisions, and sometimes put exciting ideas on hold until the timing is right.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that success doesn’t happen overnight, and progress isn’t always a straight line. There have been moments of frustration, setbacks, and uncertainty, but each experience has taught me something valuable.

I also believe that staying true to your identity can be challenging, especially in an industry where trends change constantly. I’ve never wanted Cloud & Mist to simply follow what everyone else is doing. I want our designs to have personality, originality, and a recognizable point of view, even if that means taking a more difficult path.

What keeps me motivated is seeing our designs come to life and watching the confidence and excitement of the young models wearing them. Moments like presenting our collection at Los Angeles Fashion Week and seeing our work featured in international editorials make all the hard work worthwhile.

I’m still learning and growing every day, and I know there will be more challenges ahead. But I’ve come to appreciate that those challenges are part of building something meaningful.
For me, the goal has never been to create just another children’s clothing brand. It’s to build something unique, something that represents creativity, individuality, and the courage to be different. And that makes every challenge worth it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m the founder and creative designer behind Cloud & Mist, an independent children’s and teens’ fashion brand that combines high-end design, contemporary streetwear, and a touch of rebellious creativity.

At Cloud & Mist, we specialize in creating unique, fashion-forward pieces that celebrate individuality and self-expression. Our collections are known for their distinctive silhouettes, oversized tailoring, statement jackets, unexpected fabric combinations, and playful details with a sophisticated edge.

I love exploring the contrast between different styles, combining classic tailoring with modern streetwear, soft textures with structured designs, and playful elements with a more editorial aesthetic. I believe children’s fashion can be just as artistic, innovative, and exciting as adult fashion while still being age-appropriate, comfortable, and fun.

What sets Cloud & Mist apart is that we don’t design around traditional expectations of what children’s clothing should look like. We approach fashion as a form of artistic expression. Rather than simply following trends, I enjoy creating pieces that tell a story, spark curiosity, and allow each child to express their own personality.

Another important part of our identity is our commitment to animal-friendly fashion. We believe luxury and compassion can coexist, and we strive to create beautiful, thoughtfully designed pieces without relying on animal-derived materials.

I’m especially passionate about our statement outerwear, unique runway looks, and limited-edition designs. Many of our pieces incorporate special details, creative layering, and unexpected proportions that make them feel more like wearable art than ordinary clothing.

One of the things I’m most proud of is seeing how Cloud & Mist has grown from a creative idea into a brand that has reached fashion runways and international editorials. Presenting our designs at Los Angeles Fashion Week with The Bureau was an incredible milestone, as was seeing our work photographed in Paris. These experiences have been especially meaningful because they represent the dedication, creativity, and countless hours that go into building an independent brand.

But beyond those accomplishments, what truly makes me proud is seeing children wearing our designs with confidence. I love watching a young model step onto the runway and bring an outfit to life with their own personality. That’s when fashion becomes something much more meaningful than clothing.

I also take pride in the creative community we’re building along the way. Working with talented young models, photographers, stylists, artists, and supportive families has reminded me that fashion is a collaborative art form, and every person brings something special to the process.

As Cloud & Mist continues to evolve, my goal is to push the boundaries of children’s fashion even further, creating collections that feel increasingly

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that might surprise people is that much of my inspiration for Cloud & Mist comes from 80s movies! I’ve always loved the fashion, music, creativity, and fearless individuality of that era. From oversized silhouettes and bold styling to the rebellious attitude and unforgettable characters, there’s something magical about 80s fashion.

I love bringing that nostalgic spirit into modern children’s fashion, combining a little drama, sophistication, and playful rebellion. For me, it’s all about creating pieces that have personality and tell a story, just like my favorite 80s films!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cloudandmist.com
• Instagram: Cloud_andmist
• Facebook: cloudandmistshoes