Afro-Latina CEO Solimar Williams Built a Fashion Brand With Purpose—And She’s Just Getting Started
For Solimar Williams, fashion has always been more than just clothes—it’s been a lifeline for self-expression. Long before launching UNBTHRD, her own unisex, purpose-driven fashion brand, Solimar spent hours sketching outfits and creating mood boards as a kid in the Dominican Republic.
According to Solimar, her love for fashion started early. “I’ve always seen it as a way to express myself and my moods,” she shared with FIERCE. Moving to the U.S. only deepened that passion. But while she dreamed of entering the fashion industry, she didn’t just want to fit in—she wanted to change it.
That’s exactly what she’s doing now.
UNBTHRD: More Than a Clothing Brand, It’s a Statement
Solimar Williams describes UNBTHRD as more than just a fashion label. To her, it’s a movement. She wanted to create a safe space within fashion, a brand that was rooted in confidence, identity, and purpose.
“When I came up with the name UNBTHRD, my first thought was that I wanted the brand to have meaning,” Solimar explained. “The name itself is a reminder to be yourself and to be happy—‘unbothered’ by others’ opinions and focused on living life to the fullest.”
That ethos is stitched into every piece. UNBTHRD is about protecting your energy, setting boundaries, and making sure your cup is full before pouring it into others. Through unisex styles and bold designs, Solimar is using fashion to tell a bigger story—one where everyone belongs.
How Solimar Williams Is Challenging Fashion Norms
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Solimar noticed how rigid fashion rules could be. Traditional beliefs shaped expectations for what girls could or couldn’t wear.
“I’ve always loved experimenting with fashion,” she shared. “But in DR, it was frowned upon for girls to wear what society categorized as ‘masculine clothing.’”
That experience fueled her commitment to inclusivity. By designing gender-fluid, unisex pieces, Solimar is actively challenging outdated norms. She’s also embedding Latinx culture into her brand in tangible ways—like the Dique UNBTHRD shirts released for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Solimar envisions a fashion industry that fully embraces individuality, and UNBTHRD is her contribution to that future.
Fashion With a Purpose: Giving Back to Immigrant Communities
Solimar Williams’s journey as an Afro-Latina immigrant informs every part of UNBTHRD—including its commitment to social impact.
“I always wanted UNBTHRD to be more than just a clothing brand—I wanted it to be a catalyst for change,” she told FIERCE. Supporting immigrant communities is a core mission of the brand.
That mission comes to life through donation campaigns and partnerships with organizations that serve immigrants in the U.S. This way, UNBTHRD isn’t just selling clothes—it’s using fashion as a tool for activism.
The Struggles of a Latina Entrepreneur in Fashion
Breaking into fashion as a self-funded Latina entrepreneur hasn’t been easy. Solimar Williams has had to navigate sourcing, production delays, and the financial realities of running a business solo.
“One of the biggest challenges has been sourcing high-quality products that align with the standards we want for UNBTHRD,” Solimar explained. “Some things are simply out of my control, so I focus on what I can manage.”
Solimar takes every setback as a learning experience, using each challenge to fine-tune her process. Her advice to other Latina entrepreneurs? Just start.
“The hardest step is always the first,” she said. “Don’t let doubts, ‘what ifs,’ or even rejection stop you. If there isn’t space for you in an industry, create space. You belong there just as much as anyone else.”
Sustainability and the Future of UNBTHRD
Sustainability has become a major conversation in fashion, and Solimar Williams is ensuring that UNBTHRD is part of the solution, not the problem.
Rather than mass-producing fast fashion pieces, Solimar is intentional about how many new products she introduces.
“We ensure that everything we produce is of the highest quality—pieces designed to last,” she told FIERCE. “When you buy an UNBTHRD piece, you’re getting a staple that will stay in your closet for years.”
What’s Next for Solimar Williams?
For Solimar Williams, this is just the beginning. Expanding into retail spaces and potential collaborations with other Latina-owned brands are on her list.
Her biggest goal? To keep growing UNBTHRD while staying true to its mission of inclusion, representation, and impact.
“The possibilities are endless,” she said.
With her vision, resilience, and passion, Solimar is redefining what it means to be a Latina in fashion—and she’s making sure the world takes notice.
