March’s Up and Coming Designer: Dos Caras

Aida Soria and Syncletica Maestas started Dos Caras swimwear in 2012. Both native San Diegans, the designers understood the importance and necessity of fine swimwear. This unique line embraces the lax San Diego lifestyle without sacrificing the art of design: tasteful cuts; modest flavors; and colorful hues.

Maestas attended university in New York City at the "Parsons: New School for Design," where she received a business degree and a concentration in fashion merchandising. Soria attended San Diego State University, where she earned a degree in communications, before working for KUSI and FOX 5 as a segment producer. Soon after meeting, the two women realized their similar interests in advocating for an active lifestyle; therefore, prompting the inception of Dos Caras—Spanish for two faces.

Soria and Maestas compliment one another in that the former is adept at imagining the big picture, supplemented by her background in television; the latter is the more detail oriented of the two, supplemented by her Parsons education. Thus far, the design duo has debuted their line at San Diego Fashion Week (SDFW) for three consecutive years, from 2012 to 2014. At SDFW, a recruiter took note of their talent and invited them to the coveted New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in February 2013—further solidifying Dos Caras’ reputation as a fine swimwear maverick.

Dos Caras’ current collection, "Sole y Mar," is inspired by vibrant beach motifs: the salted sky, the sultry sea, and the shining sun. The collection’s primary hues—turquoise and cobalt blue—emulate the silhouette of ethereal mermaids. The collection is undoubtedly light-hearted, in the most sincerely artistic manner. In its entirety, the collection includes swimwear, cover-ups, and rash-guard pieces. One of "Sole y Mar’s" highlights, as noted by Soria, is the hooded one-piece. Yes, you heard that correctly: a one-piece bathing suit with a hoodie. Cheers to sartorial innovation!

The charismatic team has an office at the La Bodega Gallery & Studio in Logan Heights, San Diego. Most recently, the duo dedicated a float to their line at the Mardi Gras Parade in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp district, displaying their swimwear to thousands. Most excitingly, a summer collection is in the works, set to debut on Memorial Day! To view the collections, visit the Paper Doll Boutique in the East Village at 626 8^th Avenue, or the Stop Shop & Roll in Little Italy at 2034 India Street.