Q&A

Éliou x Crown Affair at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach

Friendship, creativity, and a shared love of the intentional brought Éliou and Crown Affair together for a collaboration rooted in ritual and self-expression. Set against the lush, laid-back backdrop of The Standard Spa, Miami Beach, this limited-edition release is more than a meeting of minds—it’s a celebration of slowing down, caring deeply, and showing up as your most expressive self. In conversation with founders Dianna Cohen, Duda Teixeira, and Cristy Mantilla, we explore the rituals that shape their days, the magic of Miami, and the beauty of embracing the non-standard.
1. What was the spark behind the Éliou x Crown Affair collaboration? How did the idea come together?

“The spark behind the Éliou x Crown Affair collaboration felt so natural—it’s rooted in friendship and a shared creative vision. Duda and Christy were actually the first people I connected with when I moved to Miami four years ago, introduced by our mutual friend Juliana Salazar, who is not only one of our dearest friends but also styled and stars in this campaign. I had been a longtime fan and customer of Éliou, so bringing this collaboration to life feels incredibly full circle. I’ve always loved how Éliou and Crown Affair women move through the world—intentional, expressive, and distinctly themselves. These two pieces are a reflection of that shared energy, a meeting point between our brands that feels effortless and true.” – Dianna Cohen, Founder of Crown Affair 

2. Both of your brands celebrate ritual and self-expression — how do you define “ritual” in your own life?

“To me, ritual is the habit of practicing something that makes you feel good—grounded, inspired, or just more like yourself. The act of creating is a ritual in itself for me. It’s something I return to daily, not just as part of my work, but as a way to reconnect with myself. I’m lucky that I get to make that part of my everyday life.”- Duda Teixeira Co-Founder of éliou 

“For me, ritual is all about creating intentional moments that ground and connect you to yourself. It’s less about the what and more about the how—whether it’s writing my morning pages, doing my haircare routine at night, or even just making a cup of coffee. These moments, when done with care and consistency, become anchors in my day. They remind me to slow down, to pay attention, and to create space for myself in a world that moves so fast. Ritual is about turning the everyday into something meaningful—it’s where self-expression and care meet.” - Dianna Cohen 

3. How did The Standard Spa vibe play into your brand ethos? What drew you to this setting?

 “The Standard is the Miami I wish everyone could experience—it’s the vision I wish everyone had of the city we live in.”- Duda Teixeira 

“When I think of Miami, I think of palm trees, an endless blue ocean, and loads of color and warmth. Being born in the tropics and raised in such a culturally rich environment has shaped my creativity—and in turn, shaped Éliou as well. The Standard is the perfect backdrop for us as we design both the clothing and jewelry we want to wear while living here.” - Cristy Mantilla, Co-Founder of éliou 

“The Standard Spa in Miami has always felt like a sanctuary to me—there’s this effortless balance of playfulness and intention that resonates so deeply with Crown Affair’s ethos. It’s a space that invites you to slow down, care for yourself, and embrace ritual in a way that feels both grounding and elevated. What drew me to this setting for the campaign was how naturally it reflects the energy of both brands. It’s thoughtful but never too serious, designed but approachable—a place where you can show up as you are and leave feeling more connected to yourself. That’s very much how I think about Crown Affair—it’s about creating those little moments of care that make you feel more you.” - Dianna Cohen 

4. At The Standard, we talk a lot about being “anything but standard.” What’s one “non-standard” beauty or wellness ritual you swear by?

“It’s a little unconventional, but I often drink my coffee in the shower. Not out of urgency, but for the quiet joy of it—it’s deeply soothing. Warm water, hot coffee, a little steam therapy... it’s like a spa day and a café date rolled into one. We should start a series… just saying. Coffee at the hammam?”- Duda Teixeira 

“I feel like my day is dictated by how I wake up. That means I need time and space in the morning for myself before diving into whatever’s on the calendar. Most of the time, it’s just thirty minutes before I’m running out the door for a workout or a meeting, but I always make sure to start my day either watching the sunrise or soaking in the rays if it’s already up. This is non-negotiable for me. It kick-starts my circadian rhythm and almost feels like a mini meditation.” - Cristy Mantilla 

“I love this question. One ‘non-standard’ ritual I swear by is brushing my hair every night before bed—not just a quick pass-through, but really taking a few minutes to brush with intention. It’s such a simple practice, but it feels meditative and grounding, like I’m closing out the day and caring for myself in a deeper way. Hair brushing has been so overlooked in modern beauty routines, but there’s something incredibly soothing (and effective!) about bringing it back as a nightly ritual.” - Dianna Cohen 

5. Collaboration is in our DNA. What’s a dream collaboration you haven’t done yet—but should?

“I’d love to design silverware and really explore the space where functionality meets design—and see how far I can push that boundary. There’s something so fun about reimagining everyday objects, and honestly, I just want to recreate that Little Mermaid moment where she brushes her hair with a fork. Who says a fork can’t be a comb, a sculpture, or a statement?”- Duda Teixeira 

“I’d love to collaborate with someone a little unexpected—someone whose work I deeply admire but isn’t necessarily in the beauty space. Ed Ruscha comes to mind immediately; I’ve always been inspired by the way he plays with language, color, and form. Or creating a ritual kit with someone like Jane Goodall—merging self-care and environmental care would be such a dream. I’d also love to work with a designer on creating the ultimate vanity—something that feels like a true home for your rituals: beautifully functional and inspiring. Collaborations like these, where different disciplines meet and spark something new, are the ones that excite me most.” - Dianna Cohen 

6. What’s your Standard? (This could be anything: your daily must-do, your mantra, or a personal ritual that keeps you grounded.)

“My Standard is romanticizing the little things. I light the candle, lay in bed in a robe, dance in my living room when no one’s watching, and play a soundtrack while doing the dishes. I love making the mundane feel like big moments. If it makes the everyday feel special, I’m all in. A big one for me is making time to feel bored—I've re-learned the value of stillness. It’s not about doing nothing—it’s about giving myself space to just be. That’s when the best ideas seem to come.”- Duda Teixeira 

“My Standard is taking my time—whether it’s writing my morning pages, brushing my hair at night, or just pausing to breathe between meetings. Creating little pockets of slowness in the day keeps me grounded and connected to myself. It’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing the things that bring me back to center.” - Dianna Cohen 

Images Courtesy of @wissa

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