Ciao Sea crafts dynamic pieces for vacationing
Think packing for a destination holiday that includes seaside lunches and afternoon pool soaks requires more than a bikini and some easy breezy dresses? Ciao Sea may be for you.
The Canadian brand offers fashion-forward shoppers curated collections of items including bathing suits, coverups, skirts and more, each one inspired by a unique theme or travel destination. Think: floral embroidered jackets for shrugging on over bathing suits and velvet bodysuits for laying out on the sand in style.
Basically, these aren’t the types of styles you’ll find at your local swimwear store.
We caught up with Chelsea Chen, the founder and curator behind the luxury resort wear brand, to learn more.
Q When and why did you first start Ciao Sea?
A My passion for travelling and experiencing cultures from different countries inspired me to bring what I would see and feel to my friends and family around me. Travelling acted as my muse to bring to life our collections. I wanted to create a brand that would transport our customer to another world. Our first collection was launched in summer of 2018, but the idea of Ciao Sea has been in the back of mind for quite some time now.
Q What can you share about the name?
A The name Ciao Sea incorporates a number of elements, such as a reference to a body of water and a strong positive greeting. It also rhymes with my own name; this was intentional.
Q What makes it different from other brands?
A In each of our collections, we try to draw reference to a different theme. These themes are all inspired by a different era and location that I felt would bring a unique taste to the marketplace. The Femme Dynasty collection is heavily focused on Ancient Oriental styles, whereas the Le Jardin Madame Cezanne collection is inspired by the work of post-impressionist artist, Paul Cezanne.
Q Who is the target customer? A Women who want to bring a side of luxury to their travels. They range in age, as style is ageless, but I wanted to create a label that made women feel confident, beautiful and established. Our styles and cuts are very contemporary, so we are targeting that millennial customer as well.
Q Where are your pieces designed/made?
A The pieces are designed in Canada. The craftsmanship and creation of each garment is a combination in both Canada and China.