ShortStory_Rachel

Swimwear designer Rachel Nosco grew up in Southern California, where it’s summer all year round, so it makes perfect sense that she’s a self-proclaimed advocate of swimwear-as-clothing. “You’d be surprised how many people wear my one pieces as bodysuits, and my bikini tops with high waisted jeans,” Rachel says of her line, Midsommar Swim. The line is “decidedly not basic,” says the designer, “My customers want unique pieces, so I design off the shoulder tops and long sleeve pieces, which can also be worn to dinner”.

Rachel studied illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and worked for a handful of fashion companies in New York City, after graduation. But she couldn’t resist the sun and sand of the West Coast for long, so she moved back to launch her line two years ago. Blogging and illustrating also keep Rachel very busy, she says she recently bought herself a tripod, “So I wouldn’t have to rely on anyone else to take my pictures.” And whether it’s drawing or designing, Rachel says she never has to go very far for inspiration, “…because I live just 20 minutes from the beach.”