I think my reason for starting a bikini brand is a perfect example of how you never know just what life is going to throw at you. In summer 2017 I bought more bikinis than I could count on one hand and definitely spent more money than is normal to spend on such small pieces of fabric! Eventually my boyfriend at the time said to me, why don’t you just make your own? I can’t tell you exactly what my first thought was but it definitely wasn’t “excellent idea, I’ll get started”. But without realising it, a small lightbulb had been lit in my head and I started sketching out a few ideas. I had never sketched a bikini before in my life. Day by day more ideas formed but it took a few months before the inspiration for my collection came to me. By that point, in my head I was in too deep to back out so I started researching what I needed to do to bring my designs to life. Nearly a year later the magic is about to happen… My bikinis are on their way!
There were a few things I had in mind when I started my brand which I wanted to make happen. I wanted to create designs that would make women feel comfortable, I didn’t want anyone thinking “oh I don’t know if I could wear that”. So, I created a range of styles that I hope gives everyone a choice. I also wanted to make my swimwear affordable. I bought my own swimwear from either Instagram or high street shops. In shops I spent less than 20 euros and the swimwear only lasted a summer before it stretched or faded. At the other end of the scale I spent over 150 euros on bikinis on Instagram that were gorgeous and lasted a few years (most of the time) but I mean over 150 euros for a bikini?! So, I wanted to bridge the gap in the market by bringing high quality swimwear to the world without breaking the bank. I didn’t even know if this was possible… but it turns out it is! Now I look at swimwear online and see the crazy prices that some brands ask for their designs when I now know how little they cost to produce...  
Growing up I was very fortunate to spend my childhood holidays sailing in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. I think it’s paradise on earth. It is such a beautiful place, the islands range from idyllic white sand beaches and palm trees to tropical forests with huge cliffs that the Atlantic waves crash against. The islands have an incredible underwater life due to their enclosed nature. There are thousands of coral reefs that are home to millions of fish and the deep water channel that runs between the islands is home to whales, dolphins and sharks. I wanted the share this wonderful place with the rest of the world and so I’ve tried to bring a piece of paradise into all the prints and designs in my first collection.
I’ve also kept the complete production of my swimwear based in Italy, which is where I call home. My production is done in a wonderful family run factory. The son runs the business side, the daughter is the seamstress and the Mum has so many years of experience in the swimwear industry. I’m really proud that my business is helping support other local businesses whilst keeping my carbon footprint low too!
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​Welcome to Corallina Swim's first ever blog. If you’re reading this then you must be just as excited about the launch of our swimwear as I am! Don’t worry, there’s not much longer to wait…
My name is Cara Brown and I’m the owner and designer of Corallina Swim. I looooveeee bikinis (and dogs) so I decided to start a swimwear company that I had everything I was looking for. I got so fed up of buying bikinis for ridiculous prices and then having to pay the same price for shipping so I wanted to find out if I could do it cheaper, whilst still creating a product that is high quality, comfortable and pretty. Turns out, it is possible!
I started sketching a few of my ideas in summer 2017 and then, through the wonders of the internet, found the very talanted Geetanjali (@geetanjali.b) who took my sketches and drew them up online so producers could see the designs. She also transformed my prints from drawings on paper into fun and bright designs that could be printed.
I spent a long time choosing the right fabric for my swimwear. It had to be able to stand up to the elements and not stretch or lose its colour. I found the perfect fit in Italy with Jersey Lomellina, who create a high quality fabric which has an extra soft feel to it which makes it stand apart from other fabrics.
Finding my production factory was the hardest job, it took me about 6 months of searching. I looked close to home, in Europe. Starting in the UK and then moving my way to eastern Europe and then I finally found a factory just half an hour from my home in Italy! They understood my product and saw my vision.
For a while it all seemed smooth sailing… I had received my first prototypes and the swatches of my prints. I had even found another factory to produce the unique plaits you can find on Corallina bikinis. And then, disaster struck. My fabric printing factory was shutting down! Right in the middle of my production which meant I had to find another factory… ASAP! Luckily, I had another factory in mind and they were very happy to pick up my production and the show was on the road again.
The last 12 months have been the biggest learning curve of my life. I came out of school with no degree in art or design. I had chosen to focus on science and languages and I never imagined that one day I would be starting my own swimwear line. I spent hours and hours researching online to find the right people to bring my ideas to life. The most important thing I learnt is that when you don’t know, really just ask! The world is full of people with the most amazing knowledge to share.
I hope that giving you an insight to my Corallina world has made you excited to see my bikini collection. If you would like to follow the bikinis as they go from sketches to being on all you gorgeous girls then check out my Instagram, twitter and Facebook page: @CorallinaSwim
Until next time! xxx