We were lucky to catch up with Callista Gifford-DeHart recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Callista , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my business itself, Blue Coral Swimwear. It isn’t a single launch, collection, or show, but the entirety of the journey. What I started years ago has evolved into something deeply personal, shaped by time, reflection, and growth.

Blue Coral has taught me patience, focus, and purpose. While it began with designing swimwear, it slowly became something more, a lifestyle and a movement rooted in empowerment and a return to the old ways of slow fashion. It challenged me to create thoughtfully, rather than urgently, and to value intention over scale.

At its core, Blue Coral places the customer as the main character. I don’t believe in perfection; I believe in humanity. We all carry insecurities, whether tied to body image, representation, or lived experience. This brand was built to meet women where they are, not where the industry says they should be.

Each Blue Coral suit is made to order, much like a fingerprint, unique to the individual wearing it. Because it isn’t mass-produced, it’s inherently more sustainable and more meaningful. Every piece has a purpose, just as the woman wearing it does. That alignment between intention, design, and identity is what makes this project the most meaningful work of my life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Callista Gifford-DeHart. I was born in Pavilion, New York, into a family of business owners and entrepreneurs, where I learned early on the value of education, discipline, and building something with intention. Those values have stayed with me throughout my life. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and a Master’s in Business Administration, and I’ve spent nearly 20 years in corporate America working across merchandising, product development, quality assurance, and quality control. While also learning design and pattern-making by working through some amazing mentor’s.

Alongside my formal education and professional experience, creativity was always present. I began sewing at a young age in my parents’ business, and some of my earliest memories involve playing dress-up, styling outfits, and shopping with my mother and grandmother. Fashion was never just about clothing; it was about expression, confidence, and connection.

I also grew up loving the beach, especially during visits to my grandparents house in Florida. Those trips often meant buying new swimsuits and cover-ups, moments that made swimwear feel personal and memorable rather than transactional.

Blue Coral Swimwear began when I relocated to South Florida for one of my earlier corporate roles. I was frustrated by seeing the same styles repeated everywhere and by an industry that celebrated the same body type and look. While my original intention leaned more toward wholesale, my ambition and love for challenge pushed me toward designing my own line, which that decision that has shaped both my brand and my identity as a founder.

Blue Coral Swimwear is a women’s swimwear brand that redefines the swimsuit experience by blending style, sophistication, and comfort. Rooted in old-school couture concepts, the brand challenges fast fashion through meticulous design, high-quality craftsmanship, and a slower, more intentional process.

The brand is also built on three pillars: made-to-order production, thoughtfully executed designs, and environmental responsibility through slow fashion practices. Each suit is created with purpose, minimizing waste while prioritizing fit, longevity, and individuality.

What I’m most proud of is creating a brand that refuses to rush or conform. Blue Coral celebrates confident women through timeless, handcrafted swimwear designed to support real bodies and real lives. The mission is simple: to create pieces with meaning; styles that feel considered, empowering, and enduring.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Although my mission for Blue Coral has always centered on creating styles with purpose, focusing on quality and a flawless fit, time naturally brings a new perspective and deeper intention.

There was a time when couture carried meaning. While fashion still represents individuality and freedom, much of the industry has shifted toward speed and scale. Collections are rushed, mass-produced, and driven primarily by expansion rather than craft. As a result, quality is compromised, products fall short of their potential, and the environmental impact continues to grow through overproduction and waste.

Because of this, my creative journey remains grounded in a made-to-order business model and a commitment to slow fashion. Creating less, but with more care, allows each piece to hold value, both for the wearer and for the process behind it.

Equally important is building confidence in women outside of societal expectations. To me, sustainability and self-respect are deeply connected. When we create with intention, for the body, the individual, and the environment, the work becomes not just fashion but something meaningful and impactful.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been surprisingly simple: showing up authentically. For a long time, I stayed behind the brand because I wanted to focus solely on design and creativity, but I eventually realized that distance wasn’t serving either the business or the community I wanted to build.

When I began sharing more of myself, the brand became more human. Connection matters, building relationships within your community matters. People want to feel seen, understood, and valued, especially in an industry that often prioritizes appearance over experience. At its core, Blue Coral is about making women feel beautiful and supported, recognizing that many of us share similar insecurities and are stronger together because of them.

Blue Coral isn’t meant to be for everyone, and I’m comfortable with that. The relationships we do form are intentional and deeply valued. I see the brand as a family, your best girlfriend, a support system, and nurturing those relationships has been the most meaningful and effective way to grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bluecoralswimwear.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluecoralswimwear/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluecoralswimwear
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blue-coral-swimwear-42016b127/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bluecoralswimwear
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bluecoralswimwear

Image Credits

Erik Jimenez Photography
Mo Mo’s Photography
Photography Geneve
Autumn Rose
DaNee White
Tara Enneking
Darling and Dapper Studio
Jessica Rosecrans
Christina Martinez Diez
Rosie Vargas