Brand Edit: Karla Colletto

Karla Colletto began in 1981, when two sisters – Karla Colletto and Lisa Rovan – decided to combine their skills and start their own design company. With Lisa’s sewing experience and Karla’s business and design knowledge, they created pieces ranging from sportswear to bridal. They soon noticed a void in the swimwear market for contemporary, high-end swimsuits. They decided to apply their fine tailoring, modern lines, and couture esthetic to designing swimwear. Their designs quickly caught on with high end retailers like Saks and Nieman Marcus.

The Karla Colletto style is a direct result of Karla’s experience working for the late fashion designer Alfred Fiandaca. “[He] showed me all the intricate details of creating a couture garment,” Colletto says. “It was a great opportunity for me to learn all those dressmaker techniques, which I feel we put into what we do today.”

After over 40 years, the brand is still based in Vienna, Virginia, where every suit is manufactured; ensuring that each one is an impeccably crafted masterpiece, down to the last detail. Using a dressmaker like approach and only the most luxurious materials, their aim is to make women feel really good about themselves and their bodies. The suits are made with Xtra Life Lycra which resists degradations from perspiration and the oils in suntan lotion, allowing the suit to last longer and keep its shape. They also use Sensitive, a high-quality Italian microfiber that offers built-in UV protection and is up to ten times more chlorine resistant than traditional swim fabrics, dries quickly and is eco-friendly.

Karla Colletto has been featured in such prestigious fashion publications like Vogue, InStyle, Sports Illustrated, Elle, and CR Fashion Book. The brand has also been work by Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Mindy Kaling, Sofia Vergara, Kate Upton, Miranda Kerr and Serena Williams.

Offering sleek, simple elegance with modern, and at times, whimsical details, Karla Colletto uses top level couture-like construction to create a suit that fits like a glove.