After two years of development, Crucian-born entrepreneur Brittany Dawson is preparing the launch of Curve Swim, a new swimwear line designed specifically for women with curves. The brand draws directly from her experience growing up on St. Croix and addresses what she identifies as a persistent gap in the swimwear market.
Dawson describes beach life on St. Croix not as recreational but as foundational. “The beach was never just somewhere we visited. It was part of our life style, our celebrations, our healing, and our freedom. Some of my best memories are tied to the ocean, family gatherings, carnival season, boat rides, music, and simply existing in the Caribbean sun,” said Dawson.
However, the same environment highlighted a mismatch between the bodies she saw around her and the swimwear available for purchase. “I remember how difficult swimwear shopping could feel as a curvier woman,” said Dawson. She notes that the industry has historically presented a narrow beauty standard, leaving curvier consumers with limited options, often prioritizing coverage over celebration.
The designer points to the women she grew up around as the true inspiration for the line. “Island women are bold, beautiful, soft, strong, unapologetically thick, athletic, and feminine all at once. I wanted Curve Swim to reflect the women I grew up around and the energy we naturally carry in the Caribbean,” she added.
Curve Swim has been in development for over two years, a timeline Dawson attributes to the complexity of designing for curves without compromise. The process involved multiple rounds of fabric research, sample redesigns, and fit testing. “Every fabric has to stretch properly, support curves properly, and still feel luxurious against the skin,” said Dawson.
When asked which aspect of the development process proved the more difficult, Dawson identifies the emotional toll first. “Building something from scratch that you deeply believe in is vulnerable. There are moments where you question yourself, your timing, your decisions, and whether people will truly understand your vision,” she shared. Financial constraints ranked a close second, given the costs associated with custom sample production.
Dawson has balanced the venture alongside work, school, and other real-life responsibilities throughout the two-year development period. “I kept thinking about the women who would finally feel seen in these pieces. I kept thinking about younger versions of ourselves who deserved to feel beautiful at the beach without insecurity attached to it”, said Dawson.
While Curve Swim is positioned for international growth, Dawson has embedded subtle references to her home island throughout the collection. Color selections draw from specific natural and cultural touch points including the deep blue waters, orange sunsets, tropical florals, and the energy of Carnival culture reflected in the logo. “St. Croix and Caribbean culture are woven into the brand, because this is who I am,” she said.
Future plans include additional collections, collaborations, pop-up events, and opportunities for Caribbean creatives including models, photographers, and influencers to participate in the brand’s growth. “These aren’t just swim pieces to me. These are curated pieces for every body”, said Dawson.
Curve Swim has opened a VIP sign-up list limited to 500 people. Those on the list will have an opportunity to purchase at pre-sale prices before public availability. The first collection is scheduled to release later this year and sign up can occur at https://curveswimco.com/.
Dawson frames the launch as a professional milestone and a personal commitment. “I decided to step out and share so I would stop being afraid of it not being received well or failing. This is such a risk and step into an entire new world for me. So if everyone knows, I have no choice but to see it through,” she said.
