Gretchen Rossi Teams Up With Lisa Vogel to Launch New Bikini Collection

Jun 20, 2013
Dani Smith

There are few things that pair together better than sunshine and Southern California — except perhaps when one of the most influential swimsuit designers teams up with a celebrity known for her bangin’ beach bod. Introducing Gretchen Christine for LUXE by Lisa Vogel, a collection that fuses housewife flair with classic swimsuit style, sold exclusively at Swimspot. With the official launch party held just last week, and one of the swimsuits already sold out, the collection seems to be just as the hot as the designs themselves.

In an almost foreshadowing event, the Real Housewives of Orange County star and swimsuit designer met at a runway show, hit it off and decided to work together on a line. Quickly thereafter, the design process started. An easy collaboration from start to finish, the Gretchen Christine for Luxe by Lisa Vogel collection was almost serendipitous, with both designer and celebrity having the same vision for the collection. “Gretchen had kind of a mocked up sample of something nude with crystals, and in the same meeting, I walked in with tear sheets of J.Lo. and Brittany Spears where they were wearing nude body suits with crystals. We were like, ‘Oh my God! This is what we’re going to do,’” said Vogel. “It was really easy. We were on the same page, we clicked, we got along and we executed the design really quickly,” explained Vogel. In just three months, the design process was fished, and a few months after that, the collection hit the market, only to have its first bikini, out of five, completely sell out within ten days of the launch date.

Taking notes from her fan base, Gretchen Christine Rossi found that her followers wanted a bikini that would work for everyone. “What I love about my fan base is that I can ask them what it is that they’re looking for. A lot of them said they wanted a bikini for all body types,” said Rossi. This request is something that is very familiar to the Luxe by Lisa Vogel brand. “I created Luxe because I have two little boys and realized I couldn’t wear my bikinis anymore. The brand is all about camouflaging flaws in a sexy, elevated way. I think we continued that with our Gretchen Christine for Luxe by Lisa Vogel,” said Vogel.

Knowing that not all women would wear the types of bikinis she wears, Rossi and Vogel designed a few silhouettes that would work for everyone, yet still showcases Rossi’s personality — the perfect answer for her fans. With a selection of swimsuits that include little coverage, mid coverage and tankinis, there is something for everyone. “I wear a lot of things on the show that a lot of women wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing. What was really fun for me was to be able to take the kind of suits that I was wearing on the show, and translate it into all kinds of silhouettes,” explained Rossi. The collection currently has the mid coverage bikini and tankini in stock. The silhouette that covers the least amount of skin has already been sold out.

As far as the styling of each suit, the OC-based beach babe made sure her personality was evident. “A lot of people know me as very Southern California, very much as the girl who loves her bling. So, we took a lot of the classic silhouettes that have worked with Luxe, and we combined that with my flair with the bling and the broaches and the fun little details like that.” On the Gretchen Christine for Luxe by Lisa Vogel collection, you’ll find rhinestones, bright color and embellished hardware.

Photo Courtesy Leanna Flecky

As a well known bikini wearing personality, what was most important to Rossi about associating her name with a bikini, was ensuring that the fit was just right. “First and foremost, the most important thing about wearing a bikini is fit. If you don’t have a well made swimsuit, it doesn’t matter what the fashion is, it’s not going to look good,” said Rossi. She added, “That’s what was so great about working with Lisa and her company. They’ve been doing this for many, many years and they know what makes a great swimsuit and what makes a quality swimsuit.”

When it comes to actually wearing the bikini, the OC beach bunny has a couple of suggestions for anyone who might be sheepish about showing some skin. “You have to have a tan, because if you don’t have a tan, it’s not going to look cute, no matter how hard you try,” said Rossi. But more importantly than the tan, Rossi says it’s even more I important to feel comfortable. “Really, it’s just about putting on what you feel comfortable in. Bottom line, everyone is going to have an opinion about how you look in a bikini. You need to feel comfortable, and you need to feel good in it.”