We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Capri recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission with Capri Swim™ goes beyond designing swimwear—it’s about creating spaces for underrepresented and emerging creatives in my community. I want to provide opportunities not only to work but to inspire a return to art, storytelling, and creative collaboration. With Capri Swim™, I dream of building fantasy worlds that incorporate multiple art forms—painters, dancers, actors, models, and live musicians—all coming together to tell a cohesive story and elevate my designs.

Capri Swim™ reflects who I am as a person: minimal, luxurious, unique, and bold. My designs inspire me to dive deeper into my creative visions and build the blueprint to bring them to life. That process is driven by collaboration—there’s something magical about visionaries coming together, sharing their wildest ideas, and executing them beautifully. Through these collaborations, I’m able to create meaningful, passion-driven jobs for my creative community.

The inspiration for Capri Swim™ actually stems from my own journey. In 2017, I was completely burned out from juggling multiple roles as a dancer, entrepreneur, costume designer, and creative director. To reset mentally, physically, and spiritually, I made the decision to travel at least once a month—whether domestically or internationally. It started with me signing up for flight deal alerts and seizing any opportunity to explore. Travel became my therapy, a chance to recharge, gain new perspectives, and reconnect with myself. To this day, I still travel at least once a month, and sometimes even twice, as a way to maintain balance in my life.

That connection between travel, mental health, and creativity is at the core of Capri Swim™. It’s not just a luxury swimwear brand; it’s a movement that celebrates art, culture, and community. Through my upcoming 2025 capsule collections, I plan to share my personal stories and highlight the artistry of collaboration. Every piece will reflect my journey and celebrate the creatives who bring these visions to life.

For me, Capri Swim™ is about more than fashion. It’s about using creativity to bring people together, inspire travel as a form of self-care, and show what’s possible when we dare to dream boldly and work collectively. I want Capri Swim™ to stand as a reminder that we are all storytellers, and together, we can create something truly extraordinary.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I come from a small city, Toledo, OH, where my love for the arts was nurtured by my grandmother. She and my grandfather immigrated from Georgetown, Guyana, in the 1960s, and she worked as a seamstress while exposing us to the arts. From taking us to concerts, operas, and ballets to encouraging us to travel outside our county, she planted the seeds of my creativity. Seeing Ailey II perform at the Stranahan Theater when I was just 8 or 9 years old was life-changing—it was the first time I saw that many Black dancers on stage, and I knew I wanted to do what they were doing.

My dad enrolled me in ballet at the Toledo Ballet, where I was often the only Black girl in my class or company. Despite facing racism and other challenges, my love for dance never wavered. My journey took a leap when I secretly auditioned for The Ailey School in Chicago after high school. I was accepted, and at 19, I moved to NYC—a city I had never visited before—to train at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. This experience built the foundation of my creative problem-solving skills and resilience.

After a few years of persistence, setbacks, and learning, I achieved my dream of becoming a Brooklynette for the Brooklyn Nets. Being part of the team exposed me to new creative worlds—production, creative direction, and costume design. I was fortunate to have Criscia Long, a Black woman and former dancer, as my director and mentor. Her guidance not only inspired me but also opened doors for me to contribute to the team’s creative process. My role as a Costume Manager and Designer for the Nets began when I volunteered to transform Star Wars T-shirts into bodysuits for a performance. That experience ignited my passion for fashion design, allowing me to blend my sewing skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

Capri Swim™ was born out of practicality—I started making thong-style bikinis for myself to avoid tan lines that could interfere with my bookings. When friends and family began requesting custom pieces, the demand grew, and I transitioned to manufacturing in NYC. Partnering with a local manufacturer whose story resonated with my grandma’s immigrant journey was a full-circle moment for me. Capri Swim™ is now a reflection of my life in NYC and my dedication to supporting the creative community here.

What sets me apart is my ability to bring my multidimensional creative experiences together. From my journey as a dancer to my work in costume design, I’ve built a brand that celebrates collaboration, storytelling, and the magic of human connection. Capri Swim™ is more than just swimwear—it’s about creating art, fostering community, and inspiring others to pursue their creative visions.

I’m most proud of embracing my journey, with all its ups and downs, and finding ways to create meaningful opportunities for others. I want people to know that they can do it all, but they don’t have to do it alone. Collaboration has been the heartbeat of my work, and I’m incredibly excited for the art and stories Capri Swim™ will bring to life in 2025.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was actually on track to become a physical therapist. After finishing my training at Ailey from 2011 to 2014, I moved back home to Toledo, OH, to complete my undergraduate degree at The University of Toledo, earning a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy. While I loved the idea of becoming a physical therapist, I soon discovered that my bachelor’s degree alone wasn’t enough for the career I envisioned. To be a physical therapist assistant, I would have needed an associate’s degree, or I would have had to commit to another five years of grad school to earn my doctorate.

At that point, I realized that my passion for dance and the arts far outweighed my interest in pursuing additional schooling. While it was frustrating to learn that the degree I worked so hard for wouldn’t take me where I wanted, it was also an opportunity to pivot toward what I truly loved. I believe life is all about embracing these transitions—some seasons end so others can begin.

As a professional dancer, I’ve faced constant rejection—often without explanation—which has helped me detach from traditional views on careers. In my field, every day is different: one day, I might model for Target; the next, I’m acting in a commercial; and the following day, I’m center court as a Brooklynette. Each role requires me to adapt quickly, meet the need, and move forward—no hard feelings, no attachments, just an eagerness for what’s next.

Before Capri Swim, I explored my creative side with other ventures, like Capri Constructed, where I made club clothes for myself and friends in college, and OhioGirl, a women’s fashion brand I started with my close friends. These experiences shaped me into the multidisciplinary creative I am today.

My career has been a continuous series of pivots, from pursuing physical therapy to becoming a professional dancer and entrepreneur. This journey has taught me to embrace the unknown and lean into creativity in ways I never imagined. Accepting this nontraditional path has been liberating, giving me the freedom to try new things, focus on what I love, and confidently say no to what doesn’t align. Each pivot is a step toward growth, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I’m new to building a team for my business, having transitioned from a one-woman show to hiring creative team members this past summer. However, I’m no stranger to working on a team. My advice is to lead with kindness, offer grace, and maintain transparency about your expectations and deliverables.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is to hold yourself accountable and remain teachable. This attitude sets the tone for your team and fosters mutual respect. My dad, a lifelong seeker of knowledge, taught me this. He never pretends to know everything and isn’t afraid to ask for help or deeper understanding—a trait I strive to emulate.

When things go wrong, it’s easy to point fingers, but success as a team requires shared responsibility. By prioritizing grace, kindness, and accountability, you create a safe and collaborative environment where team members feel empowered to ask for support, own mistakes, and solve problems together. This not only strengthens morale but ensures everyone is working toward the same goal: a phenomenal final product.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.capriswim.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_capriswim_/ & https://www.instagram.com/ohmy_caprisun/
• Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@ohmy_caprisun

Image Credits

Monika Lis, Cole Ramstad, @Kees2life