Local woman launches swimwear line

By Claire Harlin

editor@delmartimes.net

For local resident Ginny Kaufmann, a childhood dream and love affair with the ocean have coincided. The result? Her very own swimsuit line.

At 27, it may seem as if the fashion designer is quite the young entrepreneur. But she said she’s actually jumping into the field late with her creation of GINNY Swimwear, having earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Southern California before attending the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles.

“I’m glad I’m a little older than a lot of others starting out in the field,” said Kaufmann. “I’ve had more time think about exactly what I want to do.”

What she wanted to do was create a swimwear line that’s sporty like Speedo, but chic like Victoria’s Secret.

“There’s Speedo. Then there’s the more spa-like poolside, stylish look,” she said. “I was looking for something in the middle, playful sophistication.”

“Playful sophistication” is the line’s motto, which Kaufmann felt embodied her goal of letting women be both comfortable and stylish at the same time. Being a pilates instructor at two local venues — JL Body Conditioning in Del Mar and Pilates People in Torrey Hills — Kaufmann values casual, sporty comfort.

Her first season launch features six designs — five two-pieces and a one-piece — and she is already working on more designs for next season. She hopes to throw a few cover-ups into the mix.

The line has only been available for a matter of weeks via trunk shows and word of mouth, but she said the response has already been overwhelmingly positive.

“I’d say the top two things I’ve heard from people who have worn them is that they are super comfortable, that they feel like they’re not wearing anything at all, and also that they have a European edge,” Kaufmann said.

For more information, visit www.ginnyswimwear.com.