The Swimwear Update: LUXE CARTEL
We are suiting up with leading designer beachwear destination — Luxe Cartel — for all things swim. From what’s to come in 2020 to where to soak up those Summer rays, we talk about finding the perfect fit and the most wanted and standout pieces.
Luxe Cartel Low Back Crop x High Cut Pant Bikini by INC Swim, $50
Having launched a now leading platform for today’s premier and upcoming swimwear at only age 22, 2013 feels like yesterday for founder and Miami local Carly Grief. “I was about a year out of college, living in NYC and feeling underwhelmed at my job. I started playing around with the idea of an online accessories boutique — and landed on the name Luxe Cartel (a play on my name, ‘Carly’…as one does at 22 years old),” reminisced the swim savant. But ultimately, deciding to sell her now sister-in-laws swimwear designs as well, changed everything. The tides turned and “it became very obvious very quickly that our customers were way more interested in the swimwear than the accessories.” Listening to the wants of the cartel clientele, Carly fully pivoted the online boutique to focus on swimwear and associated apparel. “Which was actually a better fit anyways. Fate!” mused the founder.
Ahead of the game and aware that there is no desire to navigate through the endless pages of unflattering and generally garbage options of the vast online markets, Luxe Cartel has done all of that for its valued following. “We’re all about bringing our customers a highly-curated selection of well made, flattering suits with an elevated, but edgy aesthetic. Pieces that make you feel good and will stand the test of time, pieces meant to be enjoyed summer after summer… ideally on a fabulous beach, somewhere exotic, making beautiful memories with friends and loved ones.” One scroll through their coveted and curated Insta feed is just scratching the surface of the wide array of swimwear, apparel and accessories they offer to the global market of sun-worshippers.
Always interested in fashion, but with no draw to the world of design, Luxe Cartel was the perfect avenue to pursue her interest in fashion while also finding fulfillment as the businesswoman she is. “I’m no designer,” laughed Carly, “and it only took about 3 hours interning in the fashion-closet at Teen Vogue, to realize that wasn’t for me either.” Born and raised in Miami, the beach was always a big part of the bikini boss’s life. Sourcing swimwear was the perfect fit for this beachside beauty. “When I’m not working, I try to travel (usually somewhere warm) as much as my schedule allows. So the beach culture is in my DNA, and the site tends to mimic my life, my experiences, and my own personal style – a combination of easy-breezy pieces, that celebrate the female form, but with an eclectic and unexpected twist.”
“I hesitate to say that Miami is an inspiration, because in fashion when something is described as being ‘very Miami’ it’s usually not a compliment. But really Miami is such a special place – so international, and with so many amazing, stylish women who are literally dripping in confidence and that unapologetically sexy Miami vibe that I love!” dished Carly on the culture and city that muses her professional namesake. “I also love people watching at the beaches when I’m traveling, it’s a chance to see suits and designers I typically wouldn’t – and of course its an endless source of inspiration. There are definitely subtle differences in fit and print preferences [around the world], but at the end of the day, Instagram and social media are blurring the borders more and more. Women everywhere want access to everything – which is why we do so much business internationally and carry designers from all over the world as well.”
Luxe Cartel Casanova Top x Chad Bottom Bikini by Fella, $138
But we HAVE to know!
BODE Magazine: Where is your go-to destination to bask in the sun in your favorite Luxe Cartel swimsuit?
Carly Grief: In Miami, you can find me at Soho House or a friends boat if I’m lucky! Otherwise, I just got back from Mykonos and I won’t shut up about when I can go back.
BM: What is your favorite Luxe Cartel piece?
CG: I love so many, I could never choose one all-time favorite – but right now I am really into this Montce Summer Plaid set. I think it’s so unique and looks amazing on every complexion, plus the ruffle placement on those bottoms is extremely forgiving. 11/10 would recommend!
BM: Your best tip to finding the perfect swimsuit:
CG: Everybody and person are different, so there’s not really a one-size approach. At the end of the day, you can find the most gorgeous suit, but if you don’t feel comfortable in it, what’s the point? As women, of course, we are so much more than how we look in a bikini, but finding a suit that makes you feel amazing can actually be so powerful – and let’s face it, generally, the more exposed we are, the more important we feel it is that the fit is perfection. So with that said, I'm all for any little tips or tricks that can make you feel your absolute best. This means gravitating towards richer fabrics that smooth, lift and support (without cutting in!) Another one of my personal go-to’s is to opt for bottoms that I can pull up higher on the hip – which will give the illusion that your legs just grew 6 inches longer.
BM: What can we look forward to in upcoming Luxe Cartel collections?
CG: We just wrapped up Swim Week and found a few very talented new designers we’re excited to introduce to our customers. As far as trends, I can tell you animal prints are here to stay in 2020, and we’ve also been pleasantly surprised by all the shimmery lurex fabrics that are going to be huge next year.
Luxe Cartel Maria One Piece by Hunza G, $175