Interview with Chopi Ata Salih from the Danish Brand - LA SUIT
I have met Chopi in my work as a female entrepreneur. A woman with a bone in her nose – and a driving force that is contagious. We have spent a lot of time together “on the road” – at events and company visits – where we, together with some other brands, are moving forward with a strong work-life-wear offer for both women - and men.
There was no doubt that Chopi was one of the women I could see a natural match with here in my women's portraits – and fortunately she was on board with the idea.
How would you describe La Suit and the products you offer?
What is your mission with the brand – and what difference do you want to make for your customers?
For me, LA SUIT is about much more than clothes - it's a feeling. A way to stand on your own with strength, style and calm.
I created LA SUIT for women who – like me – do not want to compromise. Neither with comfort, quality nor the visual expression. It is for you who love the classic, but still want something that feels feminine, modern and created for your body and your pace of life.
I couldn't find the suit I dreamed of – one that fit well, felt good, and made me feel professional, grounded, and beautiful. So I started designing it myself. And that's how the idea for LA SUIT grew.
My designs are based on what I call the three K's: Quality, Fit and Comfort . We work with exclusive leftover fabrics and have our suits sewn by a small family-owned sewing studio in Turkey, with whom I have a close and trusting collaboration. This means that each style is marked by thoughtfulness, responsibility and aesthetics - something I will never compromise on.
My wish is that you, as a woman, feel that this suit is made for you. Not just in size – but in energy. I want to be the brand that you return to because you know it works. Because you feel at home in it – whether it's Monday at the office or Saturday night out on the town.
LA SUIT is not clothing that should overwhelm you. It should highlight the best in you. And give you the feeling of owning the room you enter – with elegance and self-confidence.
This brand is created by women, for women.
And I love that every day I get to dress women for life – with awareness, strength and style.
What inspired you to create a universe of suits for women – and why just suits?
I've always been drawn to the way a suit can change your energy. There's something special about the calm and authority you can walk into a room with when the outfit feels right.
But as a woman, I have often found it difficult to find suits that really fit – both my body and my personality. Far too many were either too stiff, too masculine or completely soulless.
I remember watching Badehotellet back in 2020 and being deeply fascinated by the male characters and their classic suits. There was a complete elegance and strength in the way they wore their clothes. And I thought: “Why can’t we as women have that? Why can’t I find a suit that combines the classic style with a feminine fit – and is comfortable enough to wear all day?”
- That's where the idea for LA SUIT really started to take shape -
For me, a suit is not just about style – it's about a feeling. It's that experience of stepping into your own space with a straight back and a calm stomach. And I wanted to pass that feeling on.
With LA SUIT, I wanted to create a universe where women can feel seen and strong – regardless of age, shape or occasion. Where you don’t have to choose between comfort and expression. Where you can find your suit and think: “This is me.”
Do you have a personal experience that influenced your decision to become self-employed?
There wasn’t one big event that set it all in motion – it was more of a quiet longing that grew inside over time. I had worked as a social worker and consultant for many years and loved the human aspect. Being able to make a difference, create relationships and support others on their journey. But still, something inside me began to yearn for something else. Something more creative. Something that had to do with identity and expression.
I began to notice how, as women, we often compromised with our clothing choices. We accepted poor fit, scratchy materials, or boring designs because we expected nothing else. I could feel an inner voice saying: We can do better. We deserve better.
One of the moments I still remember clearly was one morning in front of the mirror. I had put on a suit that was technically nice, but I didn't feel at home in it at all. It didn't fit right. It felt wrong. And I thought: Why isn't there something that's made for us – with respect for the female body, but still with strength and elegance?
That thought kept coming back to me. And finally I couldn't ignore it anymore. I had to do something about it – and that was the start of LA SUIT.
It hasn't been the easy path, but it's been the right one. And today I know I had to listen to that calling.
What's the best thing about being right here in your journey – and where do you hope to be in 5 years?
Right now it feels like I’m in the middle of something really unfolding. I can feel that the dream of LA SUIT is no longer just an idea – it’s alive. We’ve opened our showroom, and every time a woman walks in and tries on a suit, something special happens. That look in the eye when she realizes: “This is me.” It makes it all worth it.
The best thing right now is just that: being close to the women. Hearing their stories, feeling their reactions, and being allowed to be a small part of their journey – whether it's at a job interview, a party, or an ordinary everyday life where they just want to feel strong and stylish.
In five years, I dream that even more women will have LA SUIT hanging in their wardrobe – as a kind of power uniform they know they can trust. I hope we have more showrooms and maybe even have stepped out internationally. But most importantly: That we still maintain the proximity, the personal experience and the strong community around the brand.
I will never compromise on what LA SUIT was born out of – the feeling that clothes can be an extension of your personality , not a mask you put on. And I hope that in five years LA SUIT will still be dressing women – not just on the outside, but also on the inside.
Equality career & working life
Have you experienced special challenges, prejudices or perhaps opportunities as a woman – either before La Suit or as an entrepreneur?
Honestly… yes. There have been challenges. Not necessarily as big, obvious bricks on the road, but more like small invisible expectations hanging in the air. As a woman – both in my previous working life and now as an entrepreneur – I have often felt that I had to prove myself a little extra. Be both strong and gentle. Sharp, but not too much. Professional, but still “likeable”.
There is still a tendency that when women start something, it is often considered a hobby – something temporary. It can be quite tiring to be met with these kinds of assumptions when you know how much heart, strategy and courage goes into it.
Something I really wish we talked about more honestly is the loneliness of being independent. And the enormous pressure we women often put on ourselves to be everything at once: talented, loving, ambitious, calm, perfect… It can be so hard.
But at the same time, I also see a huge strength in being a woman in entrepreneurship. We have an ability to feel. To create something real. Something that is not just about sales, but about connections – and about lifting each other up. And that is perhaps the greatest gift in this: being allowed to create a brand that is built on exactly that.
Challenges & development points
What do you want to get better at – and what is your next step in that direction?
I'm in a phase where I can really feel that both I and LA SUIT are moving. It's fantastic – but it also requires me to constantly move, both as a person and as a leader.
Something I'm working on a lot right now is letting go more. Dare to delegate and not have your hands in everything all the time. I've been used to having full control – from design and production to customer contact and marketing – but I know that in order for us to grow, I also have to make room for others to step in and take responsibility. It's actually quite vulnerable. But also necessary.
At the same time, I try to find balance in my own life. I have a lot of ambition and I am passionate about what I do – but I practice not letting it consume me. To create small breaks, breathe deeply and remind myself that growth is not only about running fast, but also about being grounded.
My next step is therefore both about strengthening LA SUIT strategically – finding the right partners, building an even stronger foundation – and about taking care of myself in the process. I believe that sustainable growth starts with balance. And that’s what I’m after now: standing strong without losing my grounding.
Contribution to change
Is there an area where you are really passionate about making a difference – and why?
What I'm really passionate about is empowering women – not just through clothes, but on a deeper level.
For me, LA SUIT is essentially about giving women the feeling that they can fill in. That they can take their place, be clear, be proud of who they are – without having to apologize.
But it goes beyond just suits. I dream of using LA SUIT as a platform to lift other women. Perhaps through communities, mentoring programs, collaborations with other female entrepreneurs or social projects where we create opportunities and give a voice to those who are otherwise not heard.
I firmly believe that when one woman stands strong within herself, it is contagious. She inspires, she paves the way, she lifts others with her. And that is where I feel I can really make a difference – by helping to ignite that spark.
So even though my product is suits for women, my mission is something much bigger:
To dress women – both outside and inside – to take their rightful equal place in the world.
Hymness's favorite
Do you have a favorite product from Hymness, perhaps a color you're drawn to - and why?
"A small disclaimer - Chopi borrowed my own Aoura Crossbody in Dark brown, and absolutely loved it. I made a special edition for Chopi - and the webshop in Taupe with gold. Before, I only had the model at home in silver."
I absolutely love my Aoura Crossbody in Taupe . It just hits the spot for me – both in function and appearance. It’s roomy enough for my essential everyday items, but still light and elegant. I love that I can wear it both crossbody when I’m on the go and in my hand when I want a more stylish look.
It's the kind of bag that fits right into my wardrobe – because it's practical, beautiful and well-made in every detail. And the color fits my style perfectly: earthy, classic and warm. Taupe is a color I keep coming back to because it's classic but with a feminine power at the same time.
When I travel – like now, when I'm going to Dubai – this is the bag that comes with me. Because it can keep up with my pace, without compromising on aesthetics. And the quality is just top notch. You can tell that things have been thought through. I really appreciate that!
Recommendation
Do you have a podcast , book, ritual or something else you would recommend – and why?
I actually have a little ritual that I've become quite addicted to – and it may sound simple, but it makes a huge difference for me.
Before I even get out of bed, I give myself a few minutes of gentle stretching. I stretch my arms and legs, take deep breaths, and try to ground myself before I land on the day. It gives me a sense of calm and presence – a kind of quiet grounding before the pace picks up.
Then I make my coffee. Always with milk foam and love. I sit by the window and look out at the forest directly opposite. Just five minutes of silence, view and warmth in my hands. It feels like my own little respite before I start being something for others.
And then I try to stick to my runs twice a week. Not to perform, but to feel myself. I run for the clarity, for the energy – and for the freedom that comes when the body is allowed to lead, and the thoughts are just allowed to be.
These little moments are my way of taking care of myself in the midst of all the things I want and need to do. And I really think we all need these pockets of self-love – where we just are, without having to be anything.
Giveaway
Do you have a small habit or a simple everyday ritual where you find peace and feel yourself – that you would like to share with the women reading?
If I had to give one piece of advice to other women who are pursuing a dream – whether it's in their career, in life, or just in themselves – it would be: Start before you feel ready.
There will never be a perfect time, and you don't have to have all the answers. You just have to feel that it matters to you. And then take the first small step.
For me, that was the step that became LA SUIT. And I'm still learning every day. The most important thing is not that you do everything perfectly – but that you do it your way. With your voice. And your pace.
We don't have to be everything to everyone - We just have to be ourselves - authentically and without excuses. 💫
Curious to know more about Chopi and her company LA SUIT:
