Meet Elizabeth Taylor of Curvy Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Taylor.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Elizabeth. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Born and raised in Southern California, I knew there was something missing in the swimwear market. With over 10 years of plus-size model experience, I found myself longing for the luxury swimsuits that my smaller size friends were wearing.

Curvy Beach was created because of Miami – sitting on those beaches for hours, watching the parade of bikinis walk by. I thought, “They must have so many different sizes down here – I will finally be able to find one!” Sadly, I was very wrong. I found myself walking up and down Lincoln Road for hours, vainly trying on the largest bikini I could find which would barely cover the ‘necessary parts’. I knew if I wanted one bad enough, so would other women. We now have a strong Miami customer base and nothing feels more amazing than wearing my creations while walking along South Beach (or my favorite beach spot – directly outside of the Faena).

When I couldn’t find a bikini that fit me, I decided to make my own. Curvy Beach is a radical rethink on beach fashion that reinvents the bikini style in a way that suits more body types than ever before. My goal is to offer bikinis in the fabrics, fit and feel of traditionally higher-priced brands, so all women feel comfortable at the beach and confident in their own skin.

Combining my passion for 80’s vintage silhouettes and the fit expertise of a garment industry pro, I knew it was time start my own line: Curvy Beach. I debuted my line of American made plus-size string bikinis to great acclaim last year. Curvy Beach changed the entire swimwear industry, achieving viral success with a video that garnered 12 million views on Facebook. I am debuting a new collection, Stars and Stripes and Metallic Mermaid, for beach going bodies, made for all shapes and sizes, from 4 to 24 and cup sizes A-J.

Curvy Beach began as a plus-size brand and extended its line to be inclusive of all sizes, unlike traditionally missy-size companies that may offer select fashions in plus sizes.

Fashioned from the highest quality fabrics that do not fade or pill during wear, each size matches the dimensions of true-to-life women and can be purchased as separates, so she can find her perfect fit. It is truly the bikini that started a revolution in the Body Positive community and beyond.

I was so thrilled last summer to be able to produce our collections out of a factory in Hialeah. I flew down weekly to check on production and establish relationships with the Miami clothing industry so I could hopefully produce full time in the future when I live here.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I like to sum up the process of starting Curvy Beach as the “hardest/best” thing of my life. A very vivid memory I have is sitting on South Beach crying into my cellphone as I begged my new warehouse to pack orders that I thought were so simple but apparently were not!

Curvy Beach started from my 5th floor walkup apt then transitioned to a friend’s extra bedroom where we would take the orders piled high in a shopping cart to the post office. I would say transitioning to a warehouse was easily the hardest part of my journey.

Along with lost packages, running two domestic factories at once (one out of Hialeah!) when demand was at an all-time high. As well as learning to take customer criticisms and issues not personally.

Please tell us about Curvy Beach.
Curvy Beach is an American-made, luxury swimsuit designer and manufacturer offering bikinis in sizes 4-6 to 24-26 with cup sizes from A-J. I bring over ten years of experience in the fashion industry. Curvy Beach was initially envisioned as an alternative for plus-size women to be confident in properly fitting bikini bathing suits. I crowd-sources the styles and colors I create via my dedicated followers. All their fabrics are hand-picked by me and are luxurious blends known to not fade or pill during wear. I make sure each material is tested in all kinds of bodies of water before going into production.

The Curvy Beach mission statement is: “Life is Short-Love Your Body,” and the company’s dedicated niche of customers contributes suggestions for new swim suit designs and colors. I am most proud that my customers feel a personal connection to me and I understand their struggles, as they are my own as well. I am told daily that is what makes Curvy Beach different – we acknowledge each and every customer and often use them in our photo shoots.

There is no greater feeling than getting a happy customer photo, glowing and carefree on her latest vacation/honeymoon/girls trip. Seeing my product all over the world makes it all very real and very, very worth it.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Lazy, beach days in Long Beach California. In the dead of winter, in New York City I fondly day dream about getting in the hot car of my parents (a 1984 Suburban) and sitting there, sandy and wet – watching the sunset as we drive home.

Miami feels like a second home to me because of that and I look forward to loving here permanently and running Curvy Beach out of the city that inspired it.

Pricing:

• Swimwear ranges from $59- $79 each for tops and bottoms

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.curvybeach.com
• Email: elizabeth@curvybeach.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curvybeach/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curvybeach/
  

Image Credit:
Curvy Beach

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