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“In the water, I was able to shut out the world and not worry about missing anything. It became such a place of peace for me.”
For Gigi Caruso, being out on the water means completely disconnecting from the world.
Diagnosed at birth with bilateral moderate to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss, Caruso understands what it means to feel disconnected and isolated at times. The beach became a refuge, and being out on the water (where she had to remove her hearing aids) allowed her to tap into her other senses to enjoy the beauty around her.
It wasn’t until 2014 that a teenage Gigi was fitted with Phonak Lyric Hearing Aids and received a gift that so many take for granted: the ability to hear the world around us.
“I received the ability to hear life’s most simple sounds, such as rain or my bed sheets rustling,” she posted to Instagram. “Unfortunately, hearing loss often goes undiagnosed or untreated. It’s my wish that all people with hearing loss have an opportunity to reach their dreams.”
Using her love of the beach as inspiration, Gigi began designing swimwear at 16 years old and, partnering with her mother Tina, began experimenting with swimsuits and transforming them into more functional and stylish pieces.
GIGI C officially launched in 2017 and features durable swimsuits that combine modern chic with a crisp aesthetic, making them ideal for lounging at a resort or spending time in the water.
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GIGI C Resort 23 Swimwear
From a crisp white to lemon, black to eye-catching emerald, there’s a suit for everyone in the Resort 23 swimwear collection from GIGI C.
Contrasting laser-cut details with crisp and minimalist lines, the Resort 23 swimwear collection features surf suits, one-piece and two-pieces for all lifestyles. The pieces are especially unique because they feel highly durable without compromising construction.
GIGI C's one-piece suits are especially eye-catching for someone who prefers the coverage of a one-piece but doesn’t want to look drab at the beach or pool. The Charlie Plunging One-Piece ($200) comes in classic colors and vibrant hues (loving the jewel and lemon!) that will surely get noticed.
I opted for the suit in black, and it fits like a glove. It also allows ample movement without feeling like I am one move away from something popping out. The unique material, a kind of silky scuba texture, blends polyester and spandex. This explains why it molded itself to my body without being too taut or loose around various curves.
The laser-cut technology adds a bit of sexiness to the swimsuit without going over the top.
Another one-piece option, the Camilla One Piece Faux Leather ($280), is that iconic piece you want when you lounge by the pool or pack it to go on that summer getaway.
The Lydia Surfsuit ($260) features a cap sleeve, a high neckline, and a front center zipper, complemented with laser cutouts and an ultra-high leg cutout for balance.
Those who prefer to be active outside on the water or beachside will love the suit's coverage and the strategically placed cutouts.
Q&A with Gigi Caruso, The Founder and Designer of GIGI C
Where & how do you find inspiration for new GIGI C collections?
Gigi Caruso: I love finding inspiration for new collections by looking at old modeling photos of my mom, watching runway shows, or finding inspiration within the environment I'm surrounded by, especially when I travel to new places.
What's the inspiration behind the latest resort collection, especially with silhouettes + colors?
GC: Resort 23 was inspired by wanting to be able to dress our customer for her vacation. We offered many new cover-ups to wear to the beach or dress up for dinner!
The collection also features new bodies in our best-performing surf suit category, which goes back to wanting to make sure our customers can wear something fashionable and functional. Resort 23 also has a new color in our signature silky scuba, Emerald!
What do you want customers to feel when they wear GIGI C?
GC: I hope to bring confidence to anyone who wears GIGI C. I want you to look good and feel good in my designs. I always remember how important functionality is without sacrificing being fashionable or on-trend.
In addition to the one pieces and surfsuits above, the GIGI C Resort 23 collection also features unique and elegant bikinis and cover ups. You can shop the full collection, in addition to the brand’s sport and loungewear at gigicbikinis.com.
