Eva Malmström is the Creative Director and Co-Founder of the incredible Soneva Resorts. We had the opportunity to sit down with Eva and discover more about the story behind these beautiful resorts.
What was the inspiration behind Soneva?
“I came to the Maldives a long time ago as a model and fell in love with the country. I fell in love with the sun, sand and the sea. I vowed then and there that I’d be back one day with a man I was very much in love with! I brought Sonu there one year after we met. He too fell in love and we decided to build a 20-room hotel and settle in the Maldives. The rest is history!”.
What do you think has been most important for the success to date?
“Definitely that we had no clue and made everything the way we wanted. I, for example, refused to use anything unecological or unethical. I also insisted on having a very laid back ‘barefoot’ philosophy, I didn’t want any logos to be seen in order to create a feeling of visiting someone’s home, not a resort, and for everyone to be barefoot”.
The biggest challenge you faced when starting Soneva?
“Being on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean and 25 years ago, we could not buy anything for construction in the country, so what we didn’t order, we didn’t get for another 6 months!”.
“We all have to take responsibility for all we do, and tread lightly on our earth. We have to give this world to our children in a better shape than how we found it”.
Advice to someone wanting to start a resort hotel?
“Don’t!”
Favourite LOVE BRAND & Co. print?
“I love most of the prints, but the ones I got for my husband are my favourites! He matches the colours in the prints with his polo shirts”.
Favourite place to travel to and why?
“Apart from Soneva Fushi (which is my baby, and where we have our home), I love to go to Sweden in the summer and stay at my place right on the edge of one of the big lakes in Sweden. I also love to go to Tuscany and Florence in Italy. I feel very relaxed and at home in these three places”.
Why is conservation and the environment so important to you?
“I think from the day I was born I was ‘green’. My parents always taught me to save energy and not to waste the world’s resources. I would always follow the three ‘R’s’ (Reuse, Reduce and Recycle) even before they were invented. To me, it is so important that we don’t abuse the environment and I firmly believe that each one of us can make a big difference. If everyone says “what can I do, I’m only one person”, then nothing will be done”.
What’s next for you and Soneva?
“It’s a new resort, but it is still a secret! I am working on it now”.
Book a stay this summer and fall in love with their philosophies. You can also shop Love Brand in their boutiques! We are honoured to be stocked there, no better place to wear your swim shorts!
