Laradiva®, is a fashion jewelry and swimwear company known for its "stylish designs with a unique combination of Latin flavor and European sexy sophistication". Laradiva was born out of a love for the ocean and adventurous lifestyle. While traveling in Barcelona, designer Gallardo, received a lightning like strike "from above" feeling that she needed to start a swimwear collection. Noticing it was hard to find sexy bathing suits that fit well in the US she immediately found her niche and started a line in New York. She saw a need to take into consideration "el cuerpo Latina" (Latin figure) to design fashionable swimwear that flatter those with a more voluptuous body. The buyer's reactions were so positive she soon decided to incorporate a jewelry line to elaborate the whole look. Now the jewelry collection, under the same name Laradiva®, has taken on a life of its own.

Her jewelry is one of a kind, hand made with the finest quality materials, using wood, semi precious stones, Swarovksi® crystals, metals, leather and other different mediums to experiment and express her visions. Her designs have caught the eyes of many, for their unique, fun, creative designs and for her eye to details on these handcrafted art works. In the industry of fashion details are essential. Timeless design with a contemporary touch is what makes Laradiva stand out.

Laradiva creations have been seen in many media outlets including Sex and the City, E! News, The Style Network, MTV, Hollywood Acces, The Bachelorette… Editorials include US Weekly, LUCKY, Latina, Star, Teen People, Vogue, Ocean Drive, WWD, and In Touch. Laradiva also holds a list of celebrities clients which include Beyonce Knowles, Nelly Furtado, Kim Catrall, Lil' Kim, Britney Spears among many others.... You can also find Laradiva creations at the Museo del Barrio in New York City.

Gallardo’s future goal is to create Laradiva® into an international beach lifestyle brand that purveys unique style, superb quality, perfect fit and a sense of FUN. Her strategy for Laradiva® is to be able to introduce a women's clothing line, accessories and a fragrance along with her established jewelry collection.

This diva that many have come to admire is known as Lara Katerina Gallardo born in San Juan, PR, has transformed herself as a woman of many facets. Not only is she a designer, a business woman, an entrepreneur but recently, she is also the proud mother of a 9 month old baby boy, who’s true and new inspiration for her collections has developed from. As a child Lara always knew that she had an eye for design but before falling into Parsons School of Design, her first step off the island of Puerto Rico at 18, was to follow her dream of traveling. Once she landed in Europe and explored her surroundings and learned 4 languages her ideas of design became intensified and there she felt that her creativity needed to be expressed. That is when she decides that she must follow her dream; Lara left Europe and headed to New York with not much assurance of what was to lie ahead. Lara with a great deal of passion and commitment enrolled in worldwide known Parsons School of Design in New York and graduated with a BBA in Marketing & Design. While in school she worked within the fashion industry began with Ralph Lauren Women’s Wear Collection and followed by top fashion photographer, Robert Whitman, where she developed a high sense of negotiating skills and a keen eye for art and commerce.

Her true calling came not so long ago after the attacks of Sep 11, were she realized that she had to pursue something true to herself and of her own. In January 2002, she decides to create a business where she could make her creativity a reality. When Gallardo finally decides to take that risk, one of the first steps was deciding what name her business would hold. Gallardo is known for having lots of fire, passion, strength, being a risk taker, and having a zest for life. She is the woman that is capable of celebrating her Birthday all year long, she is that girl that has a fashion sense that others admire, and a whole lot more. That is why her friends and her colleagues know her as Laradiva, and that’s when Gallardo decided to create Laradiva Inc.

Gallardo’s unique and exquisite designs have caught the attention of many fashion magazines, major retail stores, museums and celebrity clients. Her designs come from all her adventures and obstacles from her life, which brings her to where she stands today. After 12 years of living in NYC she has decided to relocate herself in the island of Puerto Rico to raise her beautiful baby boy, Sacha Gabriel, while constantly traveling the world for inspiration.

Laradiva® has become stronger and feistier than ever; Lara is the essence of what is a Laradiva® woman should be. Her drive is to make all women feel sexy and happy in their own skin, while adorned with her designs. It is her passion what makes her strive to keep creating and evolving as a designer, as a woman, but most importantly as a mother.

   
                 
Hello,
I recently purchased a pair of your round large hoop earrings from the store in Manhattan called Yamak. Enya was really nice and helpful especially providing me information about your line. I love the earrings and I get lots of complements too. – Susan

... they are seriously my favorite earrings ever....they are just divine. – Colleen

hi sweetie.... i JUST GOT IT...fits perfectly I look like Halle Berry in "die another day" if you have the one piece design which is on your thank you car would like it in blue turquoise or green.... bisou – Solange

Hi I just wanted to say thank you so much the earrings are absolutely beautiful! Thank you sooo much I love them I think I want more maybe one in every color they are perfect you have no idea! so once again thank you sooo much and also do you have close up pictures of the earrings in the stones like the dark blue color and on? Please let me know thanks! I just wanted to say thank you. The bathing suit is beautiful. Thank you for the little gift as well – Diana

thanks so much. I certainly love them, and I know she does too (judging by how often she wears them)!! All of your stuff is so cute, I always get compliments on everything that I have by you. Thanks again! LAuren

Hi Lara, Thank you so much I absolutely love this necklace and wear it everyday!! I get at least one compliment a day!! – Amanda

GODDES OF THE NILE BIG HOOPS IN ROSE AND WHAT OTHER COLORS ARE REALLY POPULAR I JUST LOVE THE EARRINGS I WEAR THEM ALL THE TIME! – Jessica

I read about your darling swimsuits in Lucky Magazine. The mag said to mention "Luck Breaks" for a discounted price. Please let me know (by email is great) what the total will be. Thank You, Stacy