A husband-and-wife swimwear design team made their label known to the fashion forward 20 years ago from their El Cajon garage when they started regularly gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret magazines. Now, the two have decided to sell their swimwear to the public, opening their first retail store on Prospect Street.
“This is our first retail store,” said Carrie Atkinson, representative for Sauvage Swimwear.
After selling to stores including Nordstrom, Victoria’s Secret and others, Atkinson said designers for Sauvage and the other line, Luxe, decided La Jolla is a perfect fit.
Simon and Elizabeth Southwood hired architect Graham Downes to update the new store at 1025 Prospect St. for a different type of experience. Simon Southwood said they are using flattering lights, and have catwalks for customers to parade suits to boyfriends (or girlfriends) in a sitting area.
“We will make it a glamorous type of experience,” Simon said. “We’ve always been good at doing something different.”
Instead of creating flowery, California surf-inspired beachwear, Simon said their two lines follow fashion’s constant evolution. While Sauvage ” the suits mostly featured in magazines ” are described as fashion forward and daring, Luxe is the higher-end, more chic and conservative line, Southwood said.
The duo isn’t afraid of being on the fashion forefront. Their current line is full of metallic colors, sequins and plaids, and is featured in fashion magazines such as Vogue and In Style.
“Most girls know what’s going on,” Simon said.
He’s found consumers want suits that keep up with the styles.
Both lines will fill the La Jolla Store, along with some men’s clothing and accessories. Simon said he wants customers to walk into Sauvage and create an entire outfit, from a sarong or shorts to Italian sandals.
Both Atkinson and Simon Southwood said the store’s grand opening will take place the weekend of March 21.
Sauvage will be hosting regular fashion shows throughout the summer, with a live DJ, food and drinks. The dates, to be determined, will be posted on the Web site, www.sauvagewear.com.