If you had five minutes to talk with your favorite swimwear designer would you jump at the opportunity or pass?
The team at L’Etage Magazine found ourselves in this exact scenario while dining at Ocho inside the Soho Beach House during Swim Week.
The lovely ladies who run Lee + Lani swimwear invited us to the Library after showcasing their SS2018 collection at the Soho Beach House as part of FUNKSHION .
In between glasses of champagne, Lisa-Marie Pascuccio (also known as Lee) and Alana Ault (better known as Lani) gave us in on-the-spot interview about their brainchild known as Lee + Lani.
Lee + Lani has been on our radar ever since the ladies debuted the Chroma collection which featured high-waisted mesh and cut out bottoms.
Read the Q&A below for a crash course on Lee + Lani, a swimwear line that’s marked by risqué designs, bold cuts and unique prints.
Brand: Lee + Lani
Designers: Lisa-Marie Pascuccio (also known as Lee) and Alana Ault (better known as Lani)
Origin Story: Both former swimwear models, Lee and Lani met while students studying in fashion school.
Based In: Los Angeles, California
Established In: 2012
Dream Clientele: Katy Perry, Rihanna, Kylie Jenner
Avoid If: You’re a basic girl who loves average-looking swimwear
Who Should Wear Lee + Lani: For the woman who is feminine, flirty, and who wants a sexy swimsuit that’s reflective of her personality.
What’s The Vibe: Bold, artistic designs reminiscent of South Beach’s art deco scene.
Describe Lee + Lani In Five Words (Or Less): Livable art
Who’s A Fan: Rihanna
Sexiest Moment: The Je T’Aime collection that channeled the sex appeal of Marion Cotillard and Brigitte Bardot
If You’re A Femme Fatale Wear: The Rich Girl collection that includes sexy cuts and plunging necklines.
Claim To Fame: Lee + Lani is not afraid of playing with fabrics. They’ve created risqué designs using French chantelle lace and mesh. They’ve also used embellishments such as appliqué in their swimwear.
Featured In: Seventeen Magazine, Racked, Women Wear Daily, Cosmopolitan, WhoWhatWear
Lee Loves: A playful but boldly cut bottom in bright colors a la Brazilian swimwear
Lani Loves: A sleek, effortless piece of swimwear reminiscent of French fashion
Why Lee + Lani Matters: Lee + Lani uses rich, luxurious fabrics and custom prints exclusively imported from Italy to create stunning swimwear.
![Kiki Barth & Sabrina Boasman and Lee + Lani](https://letagemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Lee-Lanikikifullsizeoutput_1947-1024x683.jpeg)
Model Kiki Barth & Editor-In-Chief of L’Etage Magazine Sabrina Boasman at the SoHo Beach House with Lee + Lani.
You Should Expect: Innovative cut outs, mesh overlays, and other unique textiles that are made in Los Angeles from Lee + Lani.
Where You’ve Seen Lee + Lani: Lee + Lani has collaborated with your favorite brands such as Nasty Gal, Revolve and Pac Sun just to name a few to create exclusive capsule collections.
Girl Boss Moment: Lee + Lani made over 90 unique styles in one season!
Price Point: $310 and under
- Its all laughs as models and the designers of Lee + Lani pose for a photo at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- The designers of Lee + Lani strike a pose with models at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- Models pose alongside the designers of Lee + Lani at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- The designers of Lee + Lani play along with models at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- The designers of Lee + Lani blow kisses along with models at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- Kiki Barth sorts through racks of swimwear by Lee _ Lani at SoHo Beach House.
- Kiki Barth and Sabrina Boasman at SoHo Beach House for Lee + Lani swimwear.
- Model Kiki Barth and Editor-In-Chief of L’Etage Magazine Sabrina Boasman at the SoHo Beach House with Lee + Lani.
- Kiki Barth talks to one of the designers of Lee + Lani at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- Models strike a pose in Lee + Lani at SoHo Beach House.
- Models pose in Lee + Lani at the SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- Model in Lee + Lani at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- A model smiles while wearing Lee + Lani at the SoHo Beach House.
- A model strikes a pose while wearing Lee + Lani at SoHo Beach House.
- Model wearing Lee + Lani at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- One half of Lee + Lani strikes a playful pose at SoHo Beach House.
- One half of Lee + Lani strikes a playful pose at SoHo Beach House.
- Kiki Barth looks at swimwear by Lee + Lani at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- One half of Lee + Lani at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- Kiki Barth looks at swimwear from Lee + Lani at SoHo Beach House.
- One half of Lee + Lani chats with EIC Sabrina Boasman at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- One half of Lee + Lani chats with EIC Sabrina Boasman at SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.
- Kiki Barth browses swimwear by Lee + Lani at the SoHo Beach House during Swim Week.