We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Callista Gifford-DeHart. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Callista below.

Callista , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Fashion is a constant revolving door. Each season there is something different for individuals to stand out.

Magazines and other fashion-oriented blogs always have a “hot” or “not” list of what you should buy to look fabulous, and many times the same stores are highlighting designs many people cannot afford or the quality may not be there. Additionally, most of these types of garments are mass-produced and the waste of what isn’t sold can negatively affect our environment.

In 2014, I started Blue Coral Swimwear to create stylish, flattering, and high-quality swimwear that women would feel amazing in. Most of all I wanted to offer pieces that were made specifically for them. I accomplish this by offering swimsuits that redefine expectations.

The best part of our business model is we provide the option for customers to order customized sizes. I know every woman is made differently and I want to focus on making them feel as beautiful as they are.

Callista , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My family owns a small dry cleaning and alterations business near Buffalo, N.Y. I grew up helping them throughout my teens and into my twenties. I learned a lot from this experience because the fashion industry is made up of more than just design and merchandising.

I went to a local community college where I attempted to abandon my fashion roots twice. The first time was to be a paralegal and the second time, a teacher. Each time, it lasted two seconds before I felt like I left my passion.

After two years of soul-searching through my studies, I transferred to Buffalo State College where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising and Textile Technology. Beyond my studies, I worked at a bridal shop and eventually went into textile testing.

Since graduation, I have worked in many facets of the industry. I’ve done Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Merchandising, Manufacturing, and Product Testing. I wanted to gain a wide range of experiences so I could apply them to my own business, which has always been my dream.

When I moved to Florida in 2012, I was sold on the beach, palm trees, and being outside and active. These factors led me to swimsuits. The styles at the time were not as eclectic as they are today, so I wanted to change that. Also, being a curvy and petite woman, I wanted to have designs for various body types and other beauties society has excluded in various ways.

Like many businesses, there have been bumps along the way. Creating your own brand with no financial backers. I have found you must self-invest your time, talents, and risks to make your dreams come true. That’s what I am most proud of. No matter how hard things have gotten I have persevered. I’ve been featured in Miami Swim Week twice, DC Swim Week, and other shows in Buffalo and Rochester, New York.

My prerogative to stand above other brands has been to focus on quality and the “Made in America” traits of my brand. Working for corporations that mass-produce their garments has allowed me to see firsthand how quality is compromised and how there isn’t a sense of pride in making something a customer will love, but instead is only a monetary goal.

Blue Coral brings women together and provides them with beautifully crafted swimwear that exceeds expectations and is made just for them on this runway we call life.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The fashion industry is brutal, and owning a business in it is difficult. To say I haven’t struggled is tough to admit, but it’s also the reality for many business owners/designers like myself.

When starting my business, I had an issue with someone making my suits. They baited and switched what they said they would do and left me with my designs being of poor quality and that I couldn’t sell. This made my launch extremely difficult.

Through this, I learned to problem-solve and move on. I knew how to sew some, but I made sure I sat and learned every technique to make the swimwear. This meant making some of my suits myself and creating the patterns. I did this to understand every detail that went into each design, which is invaluable information that has served me well ever since.

No matter the obstacle, it can be worked out. It’s always beneficial to invest your time in understanding processes and learning something new.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

The primary capital I used to fund my business is my own. I used my own savings to create the first line, complete the first photoshoot, and build my website. At this time, I still have no other outside investors and continue to be self-reliant on building the Blue Coral brand while working a full-time career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bluecoralswimwear.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluecoralswimwear/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluecoralswimwear

Image Credits
ERIK JIMÈNEZ PICTURES (IG https://www.instagram.com/erikjimenezphotography/?hl=en) – All Blue Coral Product photos Robert Bassett (IG @alldayinfocus) – For my personal business photo