In Conversation with Rosina Mae
Tell us about the start of Rosina Mae as a brand. Where did the idea of swimwear come from?
I founded Rosina~Mae in 2009 after I graduated from fashion design school. The original collections consisted of club wear and mostly dresses. I had only a couple of swimsuits in my first show. The following season, half of the Rosina~Mae collection consisted of swimwear. The swimsuits were the most popular and after that show, I focused solely on swimwear.
I had taken a specialty markets course in fashion design school while attending Dominican University and excelled at sewing on stretch fabrics. When I honed in on the swim industry a few years prior, I still hadn’t decided to go all in on swimwear until the public led me in that direction. It was a natural fit which you may have read on my website. After growing up wearing leotards every day sewing on stretch materials proved easier than I would have guessed.
Courtesy of Haley Cormier
What makes Rosina Mae a different type of swimwear brand?
Rosina~Mae has a unique business model.
I produce everything on demand which leads the brand to have very little waste. I make some samples and if someone likes it I remake it of the same (or very similar materials). I can also produce a design in whatever size the client requests. Many of the pieces can be worn and styled in a variety of ways.
Turnaround time for production is days to a few weeks and all the manufacturing is done by either me or small sample makers in South Brooklyn and Manhattan’s Garment District. I always knew I would manufacture in the US because I am really concerned about fair wages. Garment Workers overseas are often exploited. For me, I like to be involved in the process and enjoy doing it all myself. Local production in the swim industry is extremely rare. Would love to know the exact stats…
What was the concept behind the collection we saw at NY Swim Week?
Rosina~Mae “Collage” 2025 consists of several different fabrics — that would seem to clash — all somehow working together harmoniously. Kind of a techno and glitchy vibe, the collection features covered cording (or piping) and patchwork techniques.
Hand-sewn fabric overlay coverups give an added vibrancy and multicolored shiny hair ribbons and accessories also shined in the light. Models walked in an upbeat manner as if they were attending a day rave. The same variety and diversity in the fabrics are what I think of when I envision NYC. That New York City melting pot vibe is also what I wanted to show with the models. Many ethnicities and varying heights, sizes, and looks. Representation matters.
Courtesy of Haley Cormier
What does the future of the brand look like in terms of next collections?
Currently, I’m seeking showroom representation and also looking to collaborate with bigger sustainable brands. I am also excited to be showing at a few local pop-ups. Each of my pieces is a work of art and it excites me to see the joy the wearers get. I have also been curious about textile art collaborations in which I do similar techniques. I am exploring the idea of artist residencies both locally & internationally.
What advice would you give to aspiring swimwear designers who are just starting in the business?
Please, whatever you do… keep the environment in mind. Research everything and try to keep production localized to reduce emissions. Do something different to push the envelope as far as designing goes. I think it’s important to note that most swimsuit material is not sustainable, but there is progress being made. I would love to see more variety of designs and more people introducing worthwhile sustainability initiatives.
I think I would suggest producing LESS… much less.
