MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Jenni Saylor, Designer of ECO SWIM BY AQUA GREEN® Our Coverage Sponsored by Hallak Cleaners the Couture Cleaner
Jenni Saylor
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ECO SWIM BY AQUA GREEN® is designed by Jenni Saylor.
Jenni is ECO SWIM BY AQUA GREEN®'s secret weapon. Her vision and d
edication
to create a collection that was both fashionable and sustainable helped
launch the AQUA GREEN® brand.
Jenni spent most of her childhood on the beaches of Key West. The ocean was her playground and is where she learned first hand how one small step
to help the environment could have ripple effects. During a spring
breaks
she organized beach clean ups with her friends. Community cleanups were
part of her weekly regime. This sense of global responsibility
constitutes
who she is and her life course. Her husband and 2 daughters embrace this
mission to make our world more sustainable for tomorrows future generation.
Jenni truly lives the American Dream. The world of fashion beckoned her
as
a child, sewing clothing for her dolls from fabric remnants she found.
Even
then she was true to her life mission, using recycled components for her dolls.
Her Barbies were the best dressed in town!
Her dream of becoming a fashion designer fueled her. Jenni learned the
intricate art of design, scale and balance on the job. Following her
passion 15 years ago, she began her career as a fit model. During this
time
she worked closely with the head designers, and realizing her talent,
she
became design room assistant. Jenni's innate sense of fashion and design
flourished and she shortly was promoted to an Assistant Designer.
While Jenni’s organizational skills made her indispensable, it was her
pure
passion and vision that earned her the position of a full-fledged
Designer.
However, the story really just begins there. Jenni incredible talent
has
provided her various opportunities to collaborate and create collections
with a bevy of stars and celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce’s
House of Dareon, Tory Burch as well as Norma Kamali.
Jenni’s heart and commitment is to make the world a better place for her
daughters, Lauren and Cassidy. ECO SWIM BY AQUA GREEN® provides her a
chance to really make a difference in the world of fashion. All
garments
in the AQUA GREEN® collection are made from recycled and post-consumer
materials that provides fabulous fashion.
What’s next? There is no stopping Jenni now - the world is so ready to
embrace great fashion that is great for the environment. She is
currently
designing a Junior and Kids Collection of more sustainable swimwear and
clothing by AQUA GREEN®. Her mantra is Go Green, Go AQUA GREEN®
We are absolutely thrilled to present Jenni Saylor as our latest Mover and Shaker!
Peachy Deegan interviewed Jenni Saylor for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan: What is your first bathing suit memory?
Jenni Saylor:
My favorite swimsuit was a purple ruffle bandeau bikini with fruit all over it. It was my first bikini and I never got off the towel, I was too afraid people would look at me.
How are you able to design suits that seem to be universally flattering when so many people have horrific experiences with other brands?
I’m a genius LOL…seriously, the training I received, working amongst the best swimwear designers in the world taught me how to interpret my creations for the everyday woman. Our company mantra is fit, fit, fit. That is the most important basic element when designing a swimsuit.
Are you a swimmer yourself?
Let’s say I’m a swim observer LOL. I’m very fair and after years as a child in the hot Floridian sun, I am very cautious on the beach…I do like indoor swimming pools!
What should the world know about designing swimsuits that most people do not know?
How difficult it truly is –designing a beautiful swimsuit is easy - the hard part is making sure that these beautiful swimsuits not only fit but are look beautiful on as well.
How would you compare and contrast Manhattan and Key West?
Definitely the vibe and cultural aspects…Manhattan is a constant go-go; energy abounds….whereas Key West is a total laid back vibe. I’m more laid back but can definitely kick it up when needed!
We love Barbie too. Are your daughters into her and do they make sure she is wearing Eco Swim today?
They have all my old Barbies…yes I did save them. Although sadly I must say, my girls aren’t playing with dolls any more. Lauren my eldest shares my love of fashion, as a matter of fact, she may be our model for our junior ECO PEACE collection! Cassidy, our youngest, her newest passion is painting…she sketches outfits for her friends and loves abstract painting. Although her true passion is skateboarding!
What specifically have you designed that you are most proud of?
I may sound sentimental…I designed for each of my girls their first swimsuit and yes similar to my first bikini of course! After that I would say the House of Dereon bikini Beyoncé graced the front page of Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue a few years back.
What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?
My mom…she was so incredible to my sister and I. She was a teacher at our local school, and she taught me first hand how ones actions impacted others. She always found time for her students, propelled them to excellence and to this day, still gets cards from some of them each year on her birthday.
What are you proudest of and why?
I must say my family, my husband and children who amaze me with their incredible generosity, sense of community and love of life.
What would you like to do professionally that you have not yet had the opportunity to do?
I would love to create a complete wardrobe of sustainable garments, home décor and accessories. I wish I could create a world where our possessions were in sync with keeping our world healthy for future generations.
What honors and awards have you received in your profession?
I have quite blessed – I have been given quite a number of awards and accolades from my peers. However, I tend to shy away from the limelight in that regard. I love what I do, and to me that is the greatest prize of all.
What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan?
Wherever I can be with my friends enjoying a glass of wine (organic of course) and relaxing…
What is your favorite shop in Manhattan?
I love, adore vintage shops and open-air markets. Anthropology is totally my store
What is your favorite drink?
Love my white wine!!!
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a cocktail party?
During an outdoor charity event, it drizzled ever so slightly right before the event began. I wore my white dress looking all so good. Then all of a sudden the waiter slipped on the damp floor and doused a pitcher of water all over me. Well the dress wasn't lined properly. Need I say more!
What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan?
Wherever there is good food, that’s where you'll find me…
What is your favorite Manhattan book?
NYC Shopping guidebook!
Who would you like to be for a day and why?
Love to be that girl from True Blood who gets to kiss the two most handsome men ever…I would be Suki!
If you could have anything in Manhattan named after you what would it be and why?
I would love an organic giant Cupcake shop named after me!!
What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience?
What??? Lol wrong question – has to be me schlepping down the street @ 5pm, 17 blocks during rush hour trying to get a NY Cab!!
What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else?
People watching is fantastic here, love NY shopping, looking at all the eclectic styles people wear in NY…one of my guilty pleasures is being a silent fashion cop.
If you could have dinner with any person living or passed, who would it be and why?
Oprah – a truly impressive human. I find her so intriguing…her ability to embrace and empower women is amazing; as is her positive O effect for legends of women, she is simply generational.
What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience?
Hanging our with Jlo and Beyonce while working on their collections
What do you personally do or what have you done to give back to the world?
ECO SWIM BY AQUA GREEN is a dream realized for me. I live this world of sustainability; it is our way of life in my home and our extended family. For me to be able to provide this sustainable garment to others is thrilling for me!
What do you think is most underrated and overrated here?
New Yorkers generosity and friendliness…overrated NY Housewives.
Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite Whom You Know column and what do you like about it?
I’m impressed with those who give back to their community, so Charitable Peachy…I’m really impressed with you Peachy. You seek out those that inspire and reveal them to the world.
Have you drank The Peachy Deegan yet and if not, why not?
[I am waiting] Simply because I want to drink with you and have our picture taken!
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
LOL I am what you see, a woman who loves and adores her family, loves her job and is truly blessed to have my friends and family around me…maybe a little of country and rock n roll too…simple right?
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
Jenni@swimusa.com
