Exhale: How did you get involved in the fashion industry?

Luna Joachim: I worked as a nurse for a long time, and then I opened my store, I think it was 2010. I used to sell everybody else’s stuff, but sometimes I would find something I liked and I would make it my own. There was a company I used to buy from that knew that about me. And when I would go there and they were choosing designs or fabrics, they would always ask me what I thought. That’s how I started my line.

It’s something that I’ve truly loved, ever since I was a little kid. Every single Sunday when I go to church everybody always wants what I’m wearing. I love to wear my own things.

How would you describe the L’Accent style and the woman who wears it?

I love the 1950s, the Jackie [O] style. The hats, the gloves—I’m so in love with that style. I love vintage. Even at my house, my furniture. I never liked anything [current] that was going on, even when I was young. These days women are so hush-hush and dress any way. I just don’t like it.

We are women; there’s something about us that men don’t have. I find it so beautiful when you see a woman in a nice little dress, even to go shopping. It’s so classy. Every woman can wear my dresses, I make sure of that. I wouldn’t want to just make dresses for particular people. I make them for different shapes and different sizes.

What’s a challenge you’ve encountered with your business, and how did you overcome it?

I struggled a lot with location. I was in Malden when I started my line. My line didn’t do well in Malden. They loved it, but that’s it. I had a few customers, but that was just a few. Because I have dresses for $800, for $1,000, it wasn’t the best fit. I try not to make a lot of my dresses; I want them to be exclusive.

I moved to Brookline. It was this area that I worked in for almost 20-something years [as a nurse]. I target people from Newton, Wellesley. Wherever I go, they love it.

What can we expect to see from you this fall?

I have a few styles I’m bringing out for the holidays. I’m bringing out some colors as well: green, burgundy. I don’t like red. You will see me do burgundy, or a dark red, but I don’t like red. I’m coming through with a few skirts and slacks and things like that as well, because in Brookline, they love casual—but beautiful casual. I have my own line of hats as well.

How are you catering to that casual tendency in Brookline?

I have so many people that come in here and they say, “Oh my God, I love this. But can you make something we can wear every day?” Because my line is a little bit fancy, and so many people around here kept telling me they love what I make, that’s what I’m doing right now. I’m even going to have a pair of jeans on the runway. It’s OK to wear pants, but there’s a way to dress it up, make it nice.