Interview Feature Interview Feature
Paradise Ranch Animal lover and avid traveler, KRISTYN GODDARD - Los Angeles based Founder and fashion designer of Paradise Ranch shares her swimwear line for women who want to feel sexy and stylish whilst being more conservative. When and why did you start paradise Ranch?
What are some of your favourite swimwear trends this summer?
I started designing in 2015 for the classic reason – I personally couldn’t find swimwear I liked.
I love multipurpose swimwear. A swimsuit that can be paired with a skirt or pant, or a cover up that doubles as a dress. I don’t want to have to go to my room to change clothes several times a day. I want my swimsuit to become a comfortable, stylish, beautiful outfit I can wear sightseeing, shopping, to a bar or restaurant.
What was the hardest part in starting your brand? Finding a manufacturer who would do small quantities. Most brands have a particular facet to their clothes that are unique to that brand – what is yours? In the spirit of embracing a woman’s mystique, I design swimwear that is less revealing while still exuding sensual style and extraordinary fit. Each swimsuit has extra pieces to layer for a seamless way to transition from the beach to the street or the pool to the bar. Describe the perfect bikini in 3 words Beauty, fit, and function.
75 afi
Describe your typical working day When I first started designing I was working like crazy. Running around downtown L.A. in circles looking for fabric, zippers, trims etc. Checking out sources for sample making and manufacturing. I was a one-woman show. I finally hired my cousin Penny to assist me. Penny is very creative and loves fashion as much as I do. We have very similar tastes in design and she has become my right arm. I delegate a lot of the day-to-day workload to
Penny now so I can do more of what I love to do most-Design. If you could see any celebrity wear your swimwear, who would it be and why? If she were still with us, I could see Princess Diana wearing my swimwear. She always dressed so elegantly. I could envision her wearing a bathing suit that was flattering but not too bare. Princess Di was always sophisticated and classy, less revealing, but very feminine and sensual, leaving her mystique to the imagination. Outside of work, what do you love to do? Traveling to exotic tropical resorts with beautiful warm clear water. I find meeting interesting people and learning about different cultures transformative. I enjoy being surrounded by lush island landscape and listening to the sound of the ocean. My travels include fun activi-