Today we’d like to introduce you to Callista Gifford-dehart
Hi Callista, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
One of my passions has always been fashion. Growing up I spent a lot of time at my parents’ dry cleaning business, which had a sewing department. I was taught by one of the seamstresses how to sew and immediately fell in love with creating and even re-working garments.
Through my early years, I always knew I wanted to own a clothing boutique. Initially it was bridal due to my love of dresses, but what I didn’t expect was to get into designing swimwear, but I did it because I was tired of the same styles from stores that were of poor quality and design.
I also wanted to make women feel beautiful in their skin and to embrace their individuality to feel confident and sexy in a swimsuit.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like anything worth it the road has not been easy. It’s honestly felt like I’ve had struggle after struggle. However, those struggles have all taught me something valuable.
One of the biggest issues I’ve faced is finding business collaborators who believe in quality like I do. To know a quality garment in my opinion is to truly know fashion. If it’s not quality, it’s fast fashion and not worth the money. Since my swimwear is “Made in the U.S.A.” I’m dedicated to ensuring that my customers receive goods that exceed their expectations.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My degree and experience has been in Fashion Merchandising and Textile Technology, which a large focus has been in Quality Control and Assurance; however, I built my own experience in design as well by creating Blue Coral Swimwear, which is one of the things I’m most proud of.
Blue Coral Swimwear was created in 2014, but officially made its online debut in 2015.
Blue Coral designs and creates handmade, unique, sophisticated, and comfortable women’s swimwear that redefines customer expectations. With a focus on style, quality, and fit, Blue Coral Swimwear wants to change your women’s swimsuit experience from the traditional retail ready we see in our stores today.
Each bikini and one-piece swimsuit is meticulously designed for the wearer. A Blue Coral Swimsuit is constructed with thought and purpose for each individual.
Since the company started its’ reputation has been built on Customer Service as well as quality swimwear that’s “Made to Order” for each customer.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think the biggest qualities that have contributed to my success have been ambition followed by curiosity.
There is this drive and ambition that I cannot explain within me that keeps me going every day and won’t let me quit. It keeps pushing me to be the best I can be to get what I want, even if it will take me down a road to get there.
Curiosity has led me to question how everything works in this business. To every question I can and to continuously learn so it allows me to grow in not only experience but as a person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bluecoralswimwear.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluecoralswimwear/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluecoralswimwear
Image Credits
Erik Jimenez Photography
Amelia Ward Photography
DC Swim Week