Designer of the Month

Behind Birdie Jo Swimwear:

An insider’s exclusive!

Part II

Azura chats to Birdie Jo Swimwear designers Rebecca Fink and Kate Richter about what it takes to be one of the hottest up-and-coming designer swimwear labels around. Get inside and personal with Azura as we find out where the design duo get their inspiration from, and what makes them tick. From a background in furniture design to an eye-opening trip to Brazil, it’s one heck of a story…

If you missed Part I of the interview, click here to read it now.

Tell me more about the name ‘Birdie Jo’. Where did it come from?

Lecture break, the first day of class for my interior design program, I bummed a smoke from a girl. She handed the cigarette to me and said, “I’m quitting.” I said, “me too.” We sat on a ledge and smoked and talked. I had been in LA only two months and her, one. She was studying abroad, while living with her mother who was on scholarship with the Getty. The girl with the cigarette’s name was Roberta. We soon became close friends and over that year, almost inseparable. When she moved back to Brazil, I went to visit her for one month. It was during that trip, I became obsessed with the idea of having a swimwear company. I was in constant communication with Kate about it, and she agreed that it was a great concept and we began collaborating from there. We named the company after Roberta. “Bert”, though a very comedic nickname and a very easy way to shorten Roberta and, is slightly inappropriate for a lovely young woman. “Birdie” is her nickname most often… but sometimes we call her “Birdie Jo”.

What do you love most about designing swimwear?

On the personal end, shopping for fabric and vintage inspiration. But at the end, when a new line is complete, the potential for making women feel beautiful and lovely and sexy.

Working as a team, do you and Kate share all the roles and responsibilities 50/50?

Birdie Jo as a company is very efficient because Kate and I both have different, yet complimentary interests and perspectives on almost everything. We both have very separate jobs, which I think keeps things really focused and allows us to excel in our areas of expertise. We are extremely supportive of each other’s role in the company, knowing that Birdie Jo would not exist without the two of us working together constantly, selflessly and without conflict of ego.

Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Kate worked in advertising and acquired a really great understanding of market/trend research. She is a Virgo (a favorite key point in the office) and extremely diligent when it comes to any administrative task. She worked with Key Accounts in the furniture industry, which gave her experience in being the sole liaison between manufacturer, sales team, and customer. Beyond directing the day-to-day tasks of Birdie Jo, Kate is really supportive and has really good insight to the creation of each Birdie Jo line.

I handle all fabric buying, design, pattern work and production. It is extremely tedious and because the company is both our vision, I present each concept to Kate for approval and feedback. She generally is rather enthusiastic about what I come up with, and I think she enjoys being a few steps away from the factories. I, on the contrary, find it completely exhilarating. I love the process.

What design strengths do you think you both bring to the team individually?

A very tricky aspect to designing a product is whether you are creating something that is marketable or completely an act of creative indulgence. A designer must keep in mind that they are not always their own customer. Kate and I make it our responsibility to constantly ask two questions: Is the line we are putting together a complete story? Is it marketable?

What do you think separates Birdie Jo from other swimwear brands?

Birdie Jo’s fit. I have friends size 0-12. Ages 19-42. They all love the suits. I most often hear one of two comments in regards to Birdie Jo - “It’s actually a pleasure to try these on,” and “I get so many compliments when I wear this suit.” Good enough for me!

How did you feel when you released your first collection just four years ago?

We were really excited and knew that we were launching something that was going to be well received.

In which ways has Birdie Jo grown since then?

Birdie Jo is always growing. We have received a ton of press. We had a cover of Fitness magazine, both this year and last. We have been featured in most major fashion magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Lucky. We also had two shots in the Sports Illustrated Swim Issue this year. Over the last few years we have acquired accounts on a global level. Currently, the company is at a really exciting place, and growing at an extreme rate of acceleration.

Did you always believe in the success of Birdie Jo? Were there are ever any moments when you doubted it?

There isn’t any room for doubt. Birdie Jo would never be where it is now if Kate and I hadn’t treated this company as though its success was our absolute and only option.

Where do you see Birdie Jo in five years from now?

With an entire resort range from bikinis to bags and loungewear… Kids… Mens… a whole lifestyle… We will follow Birdie Jo wherever it takes us…

To view the beautiful Birdie Jo Swimwear collection, click here and start shopping now!

Azura Swimwear would like to thank Rebecca Fink and Kate Richter for taking the time out of their busy schedules to chat with us, and for giving us a little insight into their exciting world.

Designer of the Month

Behind Birdie Jo Swimwear:

An insider’s exclusive!

Azura chats to Birdie Jo Swimwear designers Rebecca Fink and Kate Richter about what it takes to be one of the hottest up-and-coming designer swimwear labels around. Get inside and personal with Azura as we find out where the design duo get their inspiration from, and what makes them tick. From a background in furniture design to an eye-opening trip to Brazil, it’s one heck of a story…

Part I

(Answers by Rebecca Fink on behalf of Birdie Jo Swimwear and Kate Richter)

Describe Birdie Jo Swimwear for us in 3 words

Fashion, Fit, Function

Your original inspiration for Birdie Jo Swimwear came from Brazil. Is Brazil still a major source of inspiration when designing your swimwear collections?

I must clarify that the swimsuits are inspired by Brazil, but not specifically by Brazilian swimwear. The design concept originated in Brazil where I observed women of all age, shape and size wearing teeny, tiny bikinis on the beach, and to the cafes afterward. One morning on that trip, my best friend’s mother stood in the kitchen in her little two-piece swimsuit, making me espresso and toast. It was at this moment I realized how my own cultural background made this seem so foreign to me. I thought how wonderful it was to see women so comfortable and confident. I felt inspired and compelled to create something that contributed positively to women’s body image.

What other countries, cities, cultures appeal to you when it comes to swimwear design?

In terms of the Birdie Jo collection, I draw a lot of inspiration from 20th century, European and American art, design, and architecture. It may be noted that I am completely obsessed with the South of France, but that doesn’t rule out the rest of the world. Destinations such as Fiji; Antwerp, Belgium; Spain; Miami; India; and Mexico have had obvious influence on my personal sense of aesthetic, and inevitably, Birdie Jo.

Birdie Jo Swimwear has its headquarters in Hollywood, California. How does LaLa Land influence your designs? Would you describe Birdie Jo Swimwear as Angeleno in spirit?

I often draw upon design and architecture of the 20th century, which really flourished in Los Angeles, for example “Hollywood Regency.” Birdie Jo has a Mid-Century modern aesthetic to it. It’s fresh and sophisticated. Moreover, it’s a modern classic, being clean in design, detail, and finish. That said, it is undeniable Birdie Jo is “Angeleno” in spirit.

Prior to life as swimwear designers, both you and Kate traveled extensively. What were some of the most influential destinations you visited? How have your travels changed you as a person, and in turn, as a designer?

As I mentioned above, directly through my trip to Brazil, we were inspired to create a comfortable, sexy and fashion-forward line of swimwear in the States, which is how Birdie Jo began. However, more personally and overall, we feel travel opens a person’s mind by allowing them to experience foreign culture, art, and energy. What is learned upon travel is carried and applied in all aspects of a person’s daily life from that point on, including their work.

Both you and Kate have a background in furniture design, your family running their own manufacturing company. Is designing swimwear very different from designing furniture? What skills can be applied between the two?

After working in interior design and the furniture industry, we learned what it meant to be both customer and manufacturer. We understand the “in’s and out’s” of a factory and what manufacturing entails, from concept through creation, all the way to the shipping docks. We also know what it is like to be responsible for a client’s merchandise, that how precious and personal certain purchases become. Navigation through such a process is rigorous, however it gave us the skills and know-how to run Birdie Jo

Why swimwear and not furniture?

We left the family business to start something of our own. We knew that we were capable of doing whatever we put our minds to, as it was engrained in us, being that we were from a family of entrepreneurs. We set our minds to it and have simply never given up.

Swimwear vs. furniture… It’s all a matter of preference. We were set up to move forward in both interiors and furniture, but swimwear inspired us.

Tell me about you and Kate as kids – did you always get along?!

I was raised in Chicago, while Kate grew up in Los Angeles. Honestly, we became really close when I was 16 and Kate was 21. The “age gap” seemed to close and we made a lot of sense to each other… almost as if we had grown up together.

Kate always likes to tell the story of when I came for a visit at the age of 7. I was totally her dorky, Mid-West cousin… Perm and all. I was really tall and really skinny and super excited about my understudy role as Munchkin #2 in my school play, The Wizard of Oz. I spent the entire trip pining over a certain Barbie with a glow-in-the-dark skirt and singing show tunes from my upcoming debut. Kate, extremely reserved and well mannered even as a child, was practically horrified. We laugh constantly at this memory and I have come to take full responsibility for frightening her… Perm + Show tunes… Who could blame her?

How did you come to decide you wanted to go into business together?

There was never really any question about it. We always wanted to start something together. We are best friends and family; there isn’t anyone either of us trusts more than the other. We first talked about venturing into something together on a plane from San Francisco to Costa Rica in 2000. After finally moving to the same city and working together in furniture for several years, we made our break.

To view the beautiful Birdie Jo Swimwear collection, click here and start shopping now!

The next installment of Behind Birdie Jo: An Insider’s Exclusive will be here in just a few days, so make to stop by again for Part II…

Designer of the Month

Birdie Jo Swimwear in Vogue Magazine!

In case the title of this article didn’t get you excited, I’m more than happy to say it again… Birdie Jo Swimwear is featured in this month’s issue of U.S Vogue! As we all well know, Vogue Magazine is the indisputable king of fashion magazines, a bible and guidebook rolled into one.

That being said, it is quite the honor and accolade to be featured in Vogue Magazine, and a testament to some incredible design work. Hundreds of products and samples are said to pass over the desks of Vogue’s fashion editors, so it really takes something special to grab their attention – and that’s even before it’s made it to one of Vogue’s pages!  Azura Swimwear would like to congratulate Birdie Jo Swimwear on their feature in Vogue… but we’re really not surprised!

Birdie Jo Swimwear as seen in Vogue Magazine

So, like a gift from the gods, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to commence our Designer of the Month feature on Birdie Jo Swimwear. A feature in Vogue Magazine, what more could you want!

Birdie Jo Swimwear was featured not once, but twice in Vogue’s women’s swimwear spread line-up, with the two lucky swimsuits featured being the Color Block in black and raspberry. If you have a copy of the April issue of Vogue, it’s on page 360. We’re personal favorites of the Color Block bikini here at Azura Swimwear – it’s hot, sexy, playful and unique. Take a look for yourself…

Color Block by Birdie Jo 

As you can see, the Color Block bikini by Birdie Jo Swimwear comes in two color combinations – black & raspberry and 14k gold & raspberry. While the black and raspberry bikini combo was Vogue Magazine’s choice, for us, both are equally stunning. And as for the fit, well it is to die for…

Birdie Jo Swimwear has had an amazing run in the press so far this year, with summer still to come. Vogue Magazine and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue are just two of the magazines on Birdie Jo’s list – and they just happen to be two of the most coveted and highly respected fashion and swimwear magazines on the planet! Without going into any more detail now, we’ll be running an in-depth look into Birdie Jo Swimwear’s ‘Press Success, as part of our Designer of the Month series on Birdie Jo.

And while this month is dedicated to Birdie Jo Swimwear and designers Rebecca Fink and Kate Richter, we couldn’t end without mentioning a little success of our own – Azura Swimwear’s media debut!  That’s right, Azura Swimwear has made its first media appearance, and in none other than Vogue Magazine. This mention comes in conjunction with Birdie Jo Swimwear, for whom www.azuraswimwear.com is listed as a stockist. While we would like to take the credit for ourselves, we really have Birdie Jo Swimwear to thank for the mention. So Birdie Jo, thank you…

It’s been a wonderful way to kick off our Designer of the Month series… and there’s plenty more to come! For all you Birdie Jo swimwear fans, or lovers of beautiful designer swimwear, make sure to stay tuned for more exciting stories from the frontlines of Birdie Jo, coming very soon!

If you’d like to purchase Color Bikini by Birdie Jo Swimwear as seen in Vogue Magazine April 2008, click here to shop now!   

Designer of the Month

Birdie Jo Swimwear: A Sneak Peak

It’s a couple of days away still, but as you know, we find it a little difficult here at Azura Swimwear to contain our excitement!

So here’s a sneak peak into what’s lined up…

This month, starting April 1st, we’ll be launching our very own Designer of the Month series. A Lifestyle Azura first, Designer of the Month is a jam-packed, month-long homage to one of our swimwear designers and the incredible work they do. We often get time to admire and appreciate their beautiful swimsuits (particularly when we’re enjoying a little R&R in the sun!), but we feel these talented swimwear designers definitely deserve some attention of their own.

The engaging series includes both in-depth interviews with the swimwear designers, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at how all your favorite swimsuits are made. It’s a truly fascinating journey - both into the mind of a swimwear designer, and into the life of swimwear itself.

This month, we’ll be kicking things off with none other than Birdie Jo Swimwear designers Rebbeca Fink and Kate Richter. While we’re pretty excited about the new series, we’re even more excited about who we’ll be featuring. Lucky for me, I was the one who got to interview the hardworking duo, and I’ll tell you this, you’re in for an interesting month!

Truly talented, truly creative, we’re honored here at Azura Swimwear to have Birdie Jo Swimwear as one of select designer collections, and to begin our series with Rebecca and Kate.

So for all your Birdie Jo Swimwear fans, or designer swimwear fans in general, stay tuned for part one of the series, coming very soon…