ViX has always been one of our absolute favorite brands, so we were thrilled to have the opportunity to talk to ViX founder, Paula Hermanny. As bikini lovers and designers ourselves, Paula has been an inspiration to us with her incredibly classy and chic resort wear, and her equally as beautiful personality! Here’s what she had to say:
Q: What inspired the creation of ViX?
I was born in Brazil, on the island capital of Vitória do Espírito Santo. When I was 21, I moved from Brazil to San Diego to study English and fell in love with the city, its beaches, and the laid back attitude of the people – very reminiscent of Brazil. My one dilemma was that I simply could not find a bathing suit that I liked. Every time I went back to Brazil, I would stock up on bikinis and make little tweaks and changes here and there. Soon, all my friends were asking for bikinis just like mine – and that was how ViX was born. I went from customizing swimwear for my friends to creating a global brand with a flagship store in Rio. It’s a great feeling and very gratifying.
Q: What are the distinctive features of ViX bikinis?
Similar to a statement piece of jewelry, I love a bit of embellishment to make each piece special. Our brand has always been known for our signature details – whether our handcrafted 24k gold-plated hardware or the unexpected trim details we mix up each season. With Sofia, our younger collection, we substituted gold with fresh copper detailing. We are fanatical about fit and our Brazilian-cut bottoms have become a trademark. In addition, we are known for our beautiful and unique prints, although I personally never tire of a classic white bikini.
Q: What is the difference between your two brands, ViX and Sofia?
I think the main difference lies in the spirit of each brand. ViX Paula Hermanny is our signature brand and always leans toward an elegant and luxe aesthetic. The Sofia brand channels an adventurous and bohemian spirit – the Sofia customer may prefer to mix and match and is in tune with seasonal trends.
Named after my daughter who was born in La Jolla, the Sofia girl is a perfect mix of my Brazilian heritage and my adopted Southern California lifestyle.
Q: What type of woman does ViX appeal to?
ViX appeals to a wide range of women because our cuts, like our best-selling Bia, have become known for being universally flattering. The ViX customer buys our brand because she understands construction, quality, and the perfect fit. Our customers know ViX will deliver the perfect “little black bikini” or a classic white suit – those are our signature pieces that make a major impact.
Q: What is one current trend in swimwear that you are not a fan of?
I always say “less is more” when it comes to swimwear. Bottoms that are too big or too loose are very unflattering. In the beginning, it was difficult to convince American women to embrace a smaller cut Brazilian bottom – but now they are a best seller!
Q: Many girls are self conscious about their bodies in bikinis because they compare themselves to models in magazines. Do you have any words of advice regarding body image?
Yes! I think that trying to fit in to society’s general aesthetic ideals can be very discouraging – especially because body types are perceived differently all over the world. In South America, for example, women and men both prefer a fuller body type as opposed to North America where a taller, thinner aesthetic is the preference. Ultimately, there are many forms of beauty – the secret is to be comfortable in your own skin, emphasize your strong points and not worry about what others think.
Shop some of our favorite ViX suits:
