New-School Swim

Recent SMU grad dips her toe into design with new, eco-conscious swimwear

Dylan Patterson may have just graduated from Southern Methodist University, but she's already putting her business degree to good use.

This summer, the budding entrepreneur is realizing a longtime dream by launching Born From A Wave, a collection of eco-conscious swimwear.

“Growing up in Florida, I always had a love and appreciation for the water,” says Patterson. “I quickly discovered a passion for swimwear but couldn’t find a brand that encompassed everything I wanted: versatile, ethically made swimwear with a social cause.”

Patterson graduated in May 2019 from SMU, where she studied business and entrepreneurship and fashion media. The designer says she was inspired to found her own company by the "strong female leaders" who surrounded her at SMU.

Realizing her own potential, she got serious about creating a swimwear line. She now manages the Born From A Wave brand full time and oversees all aspects of design, creative production, fabric selection, and more.

"I basically grew up in a bathing suit and always had a passion for finding new brands," she says, "so I thought, 'Why couldn't I start my own swimwear brand?'"

Wanting to offer a sustainable alternative to standard offerings, Patterson spent hours researching manufacturers and fabric suppliers around the globe.

Eventually, she found a winner with a material made in Italy of recycled plastic that's been reclaimed from the ocean.

“I’ve always cared about protecting our coastlines from environmental waste,” says Patterson. “So when I realized how much waste is produced by the fashion industry, I knew that I had to do my part and make Born From A Wave as environmentally friendly as I could.”

Vibrant colors and a playful citrus print pay homage to Patterson's home state, where the brand is based.

Cuts are influenced by Patterson’s personal style, evoking silhouettes of the late ’60s and early ’70s.

Inclusivity is a pillar of the brand, and Patterson strives to offer silhouettes for all body types and personalities. Her goal, she says, is for Born From A Wave to be a swimwear line women can look at and see themselves in.

Eventually, Patterson would like to develop a complementary accessories collection. But for now, she's happy to be hitting her stride as a new business owner.

“I hope that I inspire other people to try and live more sustainable lives by choosing brands and products that actually care about the environment," she says. "I also hope that I can be an example to other young women to follow their dreams and to not be afraid of starting their own businesses.”

The collection is available online in sizes ranging from XS to L and priced $70-$200.

Born From A Wave swimwear line launched last month.

Courtesy of Born From A Wave

Born From A Wave swimwear line launched last month.

shopping sustainability

FALL FÊTE

Dallas luxury boutique and Texas designer team up on new fall fashion line

Photo courtesy of Saint Bernard

Saint Bernard is teaming up with Houston-based designer Lyndsey Zorich for Love Note.

Dallas-born luxury boutique Saint Bernard is getting ready for fall with a new collection created alongside Houston style veteran Lyndsey Zorich. The fashion-forward retailer and the founder/designer of Mason's Daughter have teamed up to launch Love Note by Lyndsey Zorich, a new Saint Bernard-owned brand, that will roll out this fall.

Love Note officially launched on Thursday, September 10 at Saint Bernard stores in Dallas, Southlake, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, as well as online. Shoppers can expect a feminine collection with a playful take on everyday dressing for women who want to look put together, but not too serious.

Customers will have to be patient, though, because the entire collection won’t debut at once. Instead, the brand will roll out in a series of monthly drops, each with its own seasonal point of view.

Saint Bernard x Lyndsey Zorich Love Note by Lyndsey Zorich is available at Saint Bernard stores across Texas.Photo courtesy of Saint Bernard

The Kick Off is the first drop in September. It's a game day-inspired collection with pieces designed for fall sports and weekend road trips.

In October, The Lean In will debut with more feminine silhouettes, followed by Getting Comfortable, which focuses on the perfect layering pieces for Texas’ warm fall weather.

A longtime Saint Bernard shopper herself, Zorich's unique style and Texas perspective gave her a greater understanding of what Texas customers want. She was involved in everything from the creative direction and textile development to fabrication and production of the brand. The partnership is even more special, as Saint Bernard typically doesn't collaborate with local designers on its branded releases.

“Getting dressed has always been one of my favorite forms of self-expression, and Love Note allowed me to take that idea from concept all the way through the finished product,” said Zorich. "Saint Bernard felt like the right partner, because I genuinely understand and love their customers. Love Note is meant to bring a little more playfulness to getting dressed, pieces that feel personal, special, and bring joy to everyday life.”

According to director of owned brands for Saint Bernard, Ashleigh Goyer, collaborating with Zorich gave Saint Bernard a fresh new way to provide customers with something both recognizable and unexpected.

"She shares her perspective, her lifestyle, and her love of fashion, and she has an incredible ability to make getting dressed feel effortless and personal," said Goyer.

lyndsey zorich shopping in dallas fashion collabs shopping