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La Dolce Retro BY DEANNA MURPHY C ATHERINE HUSS WASN'T alone when she came up empty after searching for a flattering bathing suit for herself. But the big difference between Huss' frustrations and the average woman's swimsuit search struggles was that Huss had studied apparel design and already worked in the fashion industry. When, like many of us, she found herself with extra time in 2020, she seized the opportunity to pursue her own creative dreams ("Most of us who work in the industry would love to be able to have our own brand," she says) and focused on swimwear. Since Huss felt that most existing one-piece styles were either too mature or skewed too young, she set to create looks that were "the in-between, for a woman who wants to look sophisticated and elevated, but not show everything," she explains. "It's really, really hard to find. If you want to wear a bikini, there are tons of options for you, but if you don't, there aren't as many." A first collection, launched in 2021 with support from Kickstarter, included Huss' chic-yet-modest pieces influenced by the time she spent studying in Italy and the inimitable style of the women there. "Italian women just exude confidence and style, and it's so effortless, like it's just in their blood and in their bones," she says. "And they're classy too; they really don't bare a lot of skin and yet they're still very relevant and beautiful." Her love of the country is also hinted in her brand name: Siena and Co. A recently debuted retro-inspired collection is now available exclusively on the brand's website, along with the original line. e Midwestern transplant now living in San Diego admits that a touch of California cool is more evident in the new line, but the Italian influence still runs deep — the fabrics are even Italian-made. Both collections are sustainably, ethically produced, an element that was essential for Huss. e result: a brand that is at once retro, timeless, and future-minded. siena-co.com Indulge fashion La Dolce Retro 78 SEPTEMBER 2024 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE PHOTO BY HERE TODAY STUDIO