Vacation is a state of mind — and whether that vacation is a trip to an international, tropical destination or a bona fide, self-care staycation, the Portugal- and New York City-based luxury resort wear brand Saint Holiday has a look for every occasion.
Founded in 2019 by partners Kate Lessa and Vijay Paintal, Saint Holiday offers timeless resort and loungewear pieces, including caftans, coverups, shorts, tops and unique accessories such as travel journals, pearl sunglasses chains and statement jewelry. Committed to simplifying the fuss and stress that surrounds traveling to prioritize “me time” for its customers through effortless styles, the brand exudes the effortlessness and serenity that comes from a thoroughly well-planned vacation.
Below, Lessa shares her excitement to be part of the community of fashion designers, the unexpected influences on Saint Holiday’s beachwear aesthetic and an exciting new market coming soon for the brand.
Have you always loved fashion? Do you have a memory of your first time feeling connected to fashion?
Yes, I have loved fashion forever. My best friend and I used to style photoshoots in my childhood bedroom. We would create head-to-toe looks and take turns being the model and the photographer. It’s so funny to think about that when I’m on set now, but we took it very seriously then.
What was your inspiration behind the Saint Holiday brand? Where does the name Saint Holiday come from?
I was always wearing men’s collared shirts over my swimsuit in the summer and on vacation. I love the oversized structured look worn casually, but the fabrics were never right. I wanted a classic shirt that could protect me from the sun that was also lightweight and came in artistic prints or cabana stripes.
My partner and friend, Vijay Paintal, runs a family manufacturing business that makes beautifully embroidered resort wear that is very intricate and bohemian. We thought it would be great to integrate our styles together and take the traditional resort silhouettes – the caftan, the sarong and the cover-up — and create them in a modern, tailored way.
The result is effortless, off-duty pieces that make packing and traveling a pleasurable experience. Everything coordinates and the styles work well in regular life, too. I wear our beach shirts year-round and often run around the city in our Saint caftan on hot summer days.
As for the name, we are the patron saint of vacation. We are here to make vacationing easier…at least the packing part. And all of the good vacation destinations are “Saints:” Saint Barth, Saint Tropez and Saint Kitts to name a few. We want our name to evoke the good feelings of being on a truly fantastic holiday.
What has been the most exciting part of starting your own fashion line?
The community is so welcoming. I love how designers and creators collaborate and prop each other up these days. Fashion is a challenging business, and that support means everything.
What makes Saint Holiday unique from other swimwear/travel leisure brands?
We are very inspired by menswear at Saint Holiday. Our pieces have a crisp, tailored style that feels unique in the resort wear space. We’ve been able to fill a niche of clean lines that still feel feminine even with the structured silhouettes that are at the core of our DNA.
How would you describe the Saint Holiday customer?
She’s a traveler and an explorer. She believes in slow fashion and investing in quality.
What are some upcoming swimwear and leisurewear trends that you are excited to try out?
Knits and crochets. I am very into vintage vibes and having them be recreated in a modern way. I also love matching sets. It’s so chic to be coordinated top to bottom — not to mention, it makes getting dressed a breeze, too.
Do you have any advice for women who are interested in starting their own brands?
Have a clear point of view and be creative. It’s so important to have a unique vision because if you believe in your idea, everyone else will too. And do your research. There is a lot that goes into starting any business, especially fashion, so the more prepared you are, the better.
What’s coming next for Saint Holiday?
Menswear! We are launching swim trunks for the fellas later this year, which is incredibly exciting. And because we all love a matching moment, we’re going to introduce the line in our signature prints so that the pieces will tie back to our women’s collection.
