Her Story
About Rita
Rita Chiha is the Founder and Creative Director of Arziya, a luxury resort wear fashion brand she established after relocating to the United States and pursuing a long-held vision of creating a fashion line of her own. Based in Sarasota, Florida, Chiha combines entrepreneurial vision, business expertise, and extensive fashion industry experience to shape the direction of the brand. She earned a bachelor's degree in Finance in 1992 and a master's degree in Marketing in 1993, providing her with a strong foundation in business strategy, consumer insight, and brand development. Earlier in her career, she spent 12 years working in the fashion industry in Lebanon before stepping away from her professional career to focus on raising her family. Her return to fashion represents both a personal and professional milestone, allowing her to transform years of experience and a deep passion for design into a distinctive luxury brand.
At Arziya, Chiha leads the brand's creative vision and oversees the development of collections centered on elevated resort wear, sophisticated caftans, and versatile destination pieces. Her design philosophy emphasizes timeless elegance, craftsmanship, individuality, and effortless beauty rather than short-lived trends. The garments are handmade in small batches and produced primarily in Lebanon in collaboration with local artisans, reflecting her commitment to slow fashion, thoughtful production, and preserving traditional craftsmanship. Chiha is involved across the creative and operational aspects of the business, including textile sourcing, product development, quality control, supply chain coordination, digital commerce, and the expansion of retail and wholesale relationships. She is particularly focused on developing partnerships with luxury retailers, boutique hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and other hospitality organizations that share Arziya's appreciation for distinctive design and exceptional quality.
Chiha approaches entrepreneurship as a journey fueled by passion, perseverance, and a genuine love for the creative process. She believes that meaningful success takes time and requires the courage to continue through uncertainty, setbacks, and the challenges associated with building a brand from the ground up. Her philosophy is to take action, remain persistent, and find fulfillment in the work itself rather than focusing solely on the final destination. Outside of Arziya, she maintains connections within the Lebanese community in Sarasota and contributes informally to a local Lebanese club. She also enjoys cooking, hosting family and friends, and traveling, activities that reflect her appreciation for hospitality, culture, relationships, and creating memorable experiences. Through Arziya, Chiha continues to build a brand that celebrates women, craftsmanship, confidence, and the beauty of embracing every stage of the journey.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rita
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my progress to a continuous commitment to growth, learning, and self-improvement. I do not consider myself successful yet, as I believe success is an ongoing journey rather than a final destination. I am focused on building a strong foundation, learning from every experience, and continually striving to become better both personally and professionally. I recognize that I am still at the beginning of my journey, and I am motivated to keep moving forward, embracing new challenges, and creating meaningful opportunities for the future.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is simple: never give up. There will be difficult days, setbacks, and moments when the path forward may not be clear, but perseverance is what separates those who achieve their goals from those who stop trying. I believe in following your dreams, staying committed to your goals, and remaining persistent even when challenges arise. Success takes patience, determination, and the willingness to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult the journey may become.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If pursuing this career is truly your dream, I encourage you to go for it and remain committed to your goals. Be prepared for a challenging journey, as building a successful career takes time, passion, patience, and perseverance. Stay focused, continue learning, and trust the process, even when progress feels slow. With dedication and persistence, you can create meaningful opportunities and achieve your aspirations.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunities in my field are the ability to meet a wide variety of people and build meaningful professional relationships through extensive networking opportunities. At the same time, there are significant challenges, particularly when starting and establishing a brand. The early stages can require long hours, substantial financial investment, and the willingness to navigate setbacks and failures. Building a successful business takes time, resilience, and sufficient capital, so it is important to be prepared for challenges while remaining focused on long-term growth and success.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are passion, perseverance, and finding genuine fulfillment in the journey. I believe my work should be more than just a job; it should be something I truly enjoy and feel passionate about. The process of taking action, pursuing my goals, and continuing to grow brings me a deep sense of happiness and satisfaction. For me, success is not only about the destination, but also about finding joy and purpose in everything I do.
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