Call it cataclysmic creativity. In this case, define cataclysmic as something that “brings great changes.” In this case, a great change for the fashion industry.
Pink Moon Prophecy, created by local model and swimwear designer Catrina LaDell, provides sexy, custom handmade swimwear for all body types. LaDell, using the name Cataclysm, helped hone her unique style as one of the most sought-after alternative models in Arizona.
Torn between whether to continue designing lingerie for the alternative scene or to pursue a career in jewelry design, LaDell chose to channel her creativity through swimwear instead. She launched Pink Moon Prophecy in March of 2014.
The inspiration behind the swimwear line’s name came from LaDell’s frustration of not knowing her family history or where she came from.
“I found out this year that I was born under April’s full moon, which is a pink moon,” LaDell said. “That really spoke to me because I have nothing else to say where I’m from.”
Many designers gain their ideas from previous trends or through inspiration from other designers, but LaDell takes on a different approach. She believes in following her intuition and often gains her ideas from meditation sessions or even dreams.
Each piece emulates concepts adapted from architecture, graffiti art, cathedrals and stained glass, while incorporating styles from both the past and present. LaDell’s fully reversible swimwear styles consist of high-waisted, pin-up style bottoms to triangle shaped bikini tops that can be transformed into bandeaus or tube tops, “scrunched butt” bottoms and one-piece “monokinis.” The dream inspired designs are given unique names — including “lavendora”, “meridian” and “pink stardust”.
By creating customizable pieces tailored to requests or selling individual pieces, LaDell allows buyers to mix and match sizes or colors and strives to satisfy her customers.
“I just make them fully customizable and fully adjustable. That’s my big thing,” LaDell said. “I’ve been reading about how women would rather have a root canal than buy a bikini, so I kind of want to make it easier for women.”
LaDell puts a great amount of love and work into her designs by sketching and hand making each swimwear piece herself. She aims to not only create beautiful and unique designs, but also ensure durability and quality. She tests fabrics for color bleeding and snagging prior to selling her products.
The Pink Moon Prophecy designer is not looking to build a name for herself or gain fame and fortune, but instead looks forward to working toward a career path she is most passionate about. She hopes to someday create swimwear for fitness competitions and eventually return to designing dance wear and lingerie.
“I’m hoping that by the end of the year, everything will blow up. I’m hoping that it will be so good that I can’t keep up,” LaDell said. “I want to get to the point where I have to hire seamstresses. I want to keep it local and small, but in a big way.”
Pink Moon Prophecy swimwear can be found locally at Missconstrued Boutique or online at pinkmoonprophecy.com.
