Lifestyle

Brands to watch 2022!!! Meet Ladaire! The Designer Brand for The Modern Woman

Published

4 years ago

January 8, 2022

Meet Lilit Madanyan, founder and CEO of the California-bred luxury brand, Ladaire. A few years ago, after life appeared to turn upside down for the company owner leaving her jobless and defeated, she took the reigns and decided to create the next industry-changing wardrobe for the modern woman.

Madanyan had earned her years’ worth of extensive experience in fashion as a fabric specialist for several high-end brands such as BCBG and Juicy Couture. Eventually, she ended up working for a smaller luxury brand that allowed her to expand her horizons and get her feet wet in product development. But after the company suffered grave losses and closed its doors, the now-CEO was left in the dark.

After a few words of encouragement from her husband, Madanyan decided she would try her hand at creating a fresh approach to the classy woman’s closet. She dedicated herself to doing what she never in a million years believed she would do; she created her own line. And in 2017, Ladaire opened its virtual doors. Early on, she decided that the brand would offer sophisticated styles designed with exceptional quality, but that her customers would not be paying an arm and a leg for them. “It was really important to me to keep the brand price conscious,” the founder said. “We wanted to offer women a way to one-up their wardrobes without completely emptying their bank accounts. And we really pride ourselves on providing high quality products while keeping affordable price tags.” Initially, the brand was notorious for their silk dresses, eveningwear, and powersuits. But as of late, the collections have been expanding into providing an entire essentials closet, including loungewear and intimates.

Needless to say, the company owner says the brand has been seeing “tremendous growth”. Customers have adored the pieces and their high-quality fabrics, but more importantly, they’ve stood by the brand while it has released new pieces unlike those from their typical collections. Thanks to their loyalty to the brand, the company was able to open its first Brick and Mortar location in The Americana at Brand shopping mall located in Glendale, California. The direct-to-consumer brand has slowly been expanding nationwide, while also designing entirely new and innovative pieces for the seasons to come.

But it wasn’t always the up-and-up for Ladaire. Madanyan tells us that creating and managing the brand has been a roller coaster since day one, but that she’s learned several essential lessons along the way that has led her to reach pivotal success. “When we had just started creating pieces for the collections a few years back, we were still doing our wear tests on fit models,” she explained. “The fit process is extensive– there’s a wear test, there’s the judging of the functionality of the garment, and there’s also making sure that the pieces fit on a body to the company’s standards. But for some reason, although the pieces looked great on the models, they weren’t fitting the customers as great as I would’ve liked them to. So, I started implementing self-fitting in order to expand our sizes to fit more proportionately to the average body. So far, it’s been the most effective change we’ve ever made.”

Since customer feedback has become crucial for Madanyan and the future of her brand, she likes to visit the store twice a week to get to know her customers and their desires. The more hands-on she’s become, the more she’s been able to provide her customer base with what they’re missing in their closet. So far, it’s been a successful business tactic.

And when she’s not busy running a fashion company, the CEO is usually taking care of her household and her three children. When we ask her how she keeps up with the chaos, she replies: “there’s no other way to get through than to keep going.”

So, what’s next for Ladaire? Well, according to the lady boss, a lot is currently in the works. For one, the CEO plans to invade Beverley Hills by opening another storefront. There is likely to be a few more free-standing Ladaire stores coming nationwide in the next few years. And, of course, more collections are coming. The CEO hinted at potentially expanding the brand into mens’ and children’s wear, but that won’t be for another few years. In the meantime, the lux line will be introducing two new categories: sweaters and shoes. We promised not to give too many details away, but rumor has it that the pieces will be created using the finest essentials imported straight from Italy. So, you definitely won’t want to miss out.

To shop some of the classic pieces from Ladaire, and to stay up-to-date on their upcoming collections, visit https://www.ladaire.com/ or follow the brand at @ladaireofficial on Instagram.

Lifestyle

The Breakroom Reset: Small Changes That Improve the Workday

Published

21 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Michelle Langton

The office breakroom is a space that’s often neglected and can sometimes feel more like an afterthought than a key feature of the workplace. This is unfortunate, especially since employees typically visit the breakroom to rest and recuperate before finishing their shift. Considering its intended function, the breakroom should be viewed as one of the most important spaces in the entire office.

Having a welcoming and rejuvenating breakroom can promote social interaction, enhance workplace culture, and reduce stress. Employees who feel restored after visiting the breakroom are more likely to feel happy at work and be more productive the rest of the day. If your workplace breakroom leaves a lot to be desired, here are some small changes you can make to totally reset it.

Small Breakroom Changes That Improve the Workday

Unless your breakroom is in shambles and needs major reconstruction, you don’t have to spend a fortune on it to make it more inviting. In many cases, small and simple changes can make a big impact on the overall vibe of any space.

Whether you’re working with a limited budget or limited space, there are still plenty of things you can do to reset your boring breakroom. Here are some small breakroom changes that can improve the workday and give you maximum bang for your buck.

Convenient Hydration Options

Employees need to stay hydrated to keep their health and energy levels high. Unfortunately, many employees are chronically dehydrated because they don’t have access to tasty beverages at work. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to install a soda machine in the breakroom. Giving workers unlimited access to sugary drinks could backfire in the long run by contributing to illnesses and increased sick days.

Instead of offering sugary beverages (that can actually contribute to dehydration in the long run), make it easier for your employees to stay hydrated with pure water. Providing a filtered office drinking water system is one of the best ways to encourage optimal hydration. Most employees will appreciate the clean, tasty alternative to standard office tap water.

Comfy Seating

When was the last time you took a look at the seating arrangements in your breakroom? If it’s been a while, take a walk over there and give it a good look. Is there sufficient space for multiple employees to sit at the same time? Are the seats comfortable and rearrangeable so employees can interact with others or achieve greater privacy as desired? If not, you might benefit from a breakroom seating reset.

Seating arrangements in breakrooms should be both comfortable and flexible. You might want to bring in some modular furniture because it’s easy to move and rearrange as needed. For maximum versatility, seating arrangements should include a mix of traditional breakroom chairs and tables, lounge chairs, and even bean bags. Making the space as open as possible will also help it look more roomy and inviting.

Nutritious Snack Options

Most employers don’t provide full meals for their employees. It’s perfectly reasonable to expect workers to make their own lunch or dinner arrangements. However, if you want to support your employees’ energy levels, keep healthy snacks in your breakroom. Nutritious snacks can enhance employee performance throughout the day, so workers find it easier to get more done.

Instead of investing in chips, candy bars, and other sugary sweets, opt for snack options that won’t cause sugar spikes and inevitable crashes. Some great options include trail mixes, protein bars, fresh fruit, popcorn, and veggie trays. Instant oatmeal cups can also be a convenient source of energy for those who don’t have time to grab breakfast before heading to work. You might want to send out an employee survey to see what types of healthy snacks your workers prefer.

Optimal Lighting

Did you know that poor lighting can negatively impact your employees’ psychological and emotional well-being? Improving workplace lighting (including in the breakroom) can make a huge difference in worker morale and energy levels. Warm white light may be a great choice for the breakroom because it creates a soothing, calm atmosphere. Cool white light might be a better fit for conference rooms and cubicle areas because it enhances focus and energy.

Of course, natural light is arguably the best option for the office whenever it’s available. If your breakroom has windows, try to keep the shades open during working hours. That way, employees can experience the mood- and health-boosting benefits of natural light exposure.

Entertainment Options

Some office managers and CEOs mistakenly think that a breakroom should be boring to serve its purpose well. However, the terms “boring” and “relaxing” are not synonymous. Employees may find a boring breakroom to be surprisingly non-restorative. On the flip side, a room equipped for entertainment can be very relaxing and rejuvenating.

To make your breakroom a more enjoyable place to spend time, you might want to install a corner television. That way, workers can watch their favorite sitcom while they relax. You might also keep a few card or board games stocked in a cupboard for employees who prefer to interact in fun ways during their lunch breaks.

Reset Your Breakroom Today

Your employee breakroom can reveal a lot about your overall workplace environment. If it’s not lit well, or if it’s boring and unwelcoming, workers are more likely to feel underappreciated and discontented. The good news is that you don’t have to sink a lot of money or effort into resetting your breakroom and getting a fresh start. Use these simple tips to revamp your breakroom and make it a place where workers can go to feel truly cared for and relaxed.