AquaVita designer in residence, Hanna Gotz, shares about finding beauty and joy in life, satisfying her creative itch, and where she finds inspiration.

Can you tell us a bit about how you fell into design? 

I’ve always been a creative soul. Sketching, drawing, painting. Always doing something with my hands. I still have my old notebooks full of sketches. I must have started keeping sketch notebooks when I was around 8 years old. They are full of fashion illustrations.

There was never a question of what I would study, so, of course, I went to university for Fashion Design. I have been in the fashion industry, between Miami and Los Angeles, for over 10 years now. Designing resort wear is a dream. I'm from the Dominican Republic; an islander at heart and am a lover of the ocean, the sun, and the beach.

What is the mission of the pieces you design for AQV?

AquaVita is all about discovering beauty and joy in life. I want every piece to be comfortable, fun, and timeless.

It’s important to me that each piece can be worn from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean or to a local restaurant to enjoy a delicious plate of pasta.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in everything. From art and nature to different cultures and food. Italy is my favorite country in the world and a constant source of inspiration!

What does Aquavita Lifestyle mean to you?

To me, the AquaVita lifestyle is understanding that the simple things in life are everything.

What is your favorite piece of clothing to wear?

I’m all about the maxi’s, whether it’s a maxi dress or maxi skirt. You just can’t get any better than a piece that is easy to throw on, looks fantastic and you’re ready to go.

What do you love most about traveling to the beach?

The ocean, to me, represents freedom and beauty. It's so full of life. I’ve always said that I will forever live near the water.

At the beach, you can find me on a chaise, tanning, and reading for hours on end, with occasional dips in the water to cool off.

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to rent a small boat, anchor in the middle of the ocean, and just take it all in.