Haute Talk with Gigi Scholbi | Sun, Sustainability, and Cheeki Swim: Handmade Waves from Hawaii

What does it take to make swimwear that feels playful, personal, and genuinely better for the planet?

This week, Lexy sits down with Gigi Scholbi, the founder and designer behind Cheeki Swim, a Hawaii-based brand creating handmade swimwear with recycled and deadstock materials. Gigi started the brand from a college dorm room after struggling to find swimsuits that combined quality, individuality, and a fit that made her feel confident. Her approach offers a thoughtful alternative to mass-produced swimwear and the constant churn of fast-fashion trends.

Gigi shares how Cheeki Swim grew from an idea into real collections, what goes into making each suit by hand, and why the time behind a garment matters. She and Lexy talk about sourcing lower-waste materials, supporting other small businesses, and designing pieces that customers will want to wear beyond a single season. They also explore the tension between sustainability, affordability, creativity, and growth when you are building an independent fashion brand. Along the way, Gigi explains how Hawaii influences Cheeki Swim’s colorful identity and why slow fashion can still feel bold, fun, and full of personality.

Listen to the full conversation, then subscribe to The Lexy Show for more honest stories from the people working to change fashion.

Social Media

 Instagram and TikTok @thecheekiswimwear 

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe to The Lexy Show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who's ready to make more mindful choices for themselves and the planet. For more information visit https://lexysilverstein.com/

Transcript

GIGi_LEX

lexy: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Lexi Show Fashion that gives a dance. This week I am joined by Cheeky Swim's, CEO. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Geovanna Colby. How are you doing? So can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to start Cheeky Swim? 

gigi: Yes. So my name's Giovanna Sobe, but everyone calls me Gigi.

Um, so I was actually born in Connecticut, but I lived in Virginia. Both of my parents are from Brazil, so they like moved here. My mom was like 19, my dad was like 21. And so when they moved to the states. They always were very driven. And so growing up they really gave my brother and I a lot of opportunities to try everything and to be successful and find something that we would like.

And I feel like in the midst of that, I always found myself being like a leader, whether that was sports or an orchestra, school, activities, anything like [00:01:00] that. And seeing my dad start his business really inspired me to really like, okay, I wanna be my own boss. Like I don't wanna be putting money into someone else's pocket, like I wanna be doing it into myself.

And so for a while I really wanted to do something within fashion, but I didn't really know a direction to go. And so I ended up actually going to school for criminal justice. And then my first semester I realized, I was like, I don't wanna do this. Like I wanna really like test my limits and try something new.

I just wanna do something related to fashion and I didn't really know which direction I was gonna go at this point. Like I wasn't really aware of sustainability as well. Mm-hmm. Um, and so I had this like project I had to do and I learned a lot about sustainability for it, but it was something, it was just like a random, like core curriculum class that I had to take.

Mm-hmm. But I was like kind of drawn to it. And at the time I was working at the speakeasy, so I was [00:02:00] working like in the food industry. And I remember, um, when I was working, I was like, I need to get out of this and I need to do something different. I need to just get outta this. So I kind of started brainstorming, like, what am I gonna do?

And I kind of started trying to figure out, okay, like what area of fashion do I wanna work in? What do I wanna start? And I have eczema, so like certain swimwear or clothing materials or products in general just like, cause me to get rashes and it's just like really painful. And I, so I moved out here to Hawaii for school and being in swimsuits literally 24 7, like my eczema started progressing a lot faster.

So I was like, okay, I need to, I, I think I know which area I wanna like, kind of niche down and that somewhere. And so I started doing a bunch of research of like materials and products and like all these different kind of areas. Um. And I started sketching and then I was like, okay, like this is, this is essentially what I [00:03:00] want to do.

And so I bought my first sewing machine off of Amazon. It broke within the first bikini I made. No, um, and I just like, I, yeah, I just kind of dove it. I made my first swimsuit. I actually have it. Let me, oh my God. Yes. 

lexy: It's so funny. Class I wanna see. 

gigi: So you can't really, like, you can't really see too much on the camera, but this is like my very first suit.

Oh. And so cute. You can kind of see how thick these themes are and like, everything's just kind of like loose and it's just sticking out. Yeah. Like none of my stitches are good. Like, you know, I just have this on my wall as a reminder of how far I came. Aw. Um, but yeah, that's essentially like kind of how I started my brand and my love for like sustainability and swimmer and also expanding, you know.

lexy: I love that, that, uh, bikini is how it would look if I tried to say something right now, like it's good for me to wear, [00:04:00] like I'm fine with it, but I don't think anyone else is gonna wanna purchase it. 

gigi: I know that's how I felt with it and I was like, okay, I need to like get my game up. 

lexy: Well, it's still a really cute bikini, so I think you did great.

Um, and I'm very impressed by your sewing skills because that's what mine would look like as well, even though you've like improved now. Um, but I think that that's great and I think that sustainability in swimsuits is something that we need to talk about more. Um, I think that a lot of like, I don't know, I was having a conversation with someone about this where I bought, um.

A bikini made out of recycled plastic water bottles. And I was like, oh, that's cool. Um, and then they were like, but essentially you're still like wearing a bunch of microplastics in the ocean. And I was like, oh, I didn't think about that. Yeah. So you recycled materials like old lace and dead stock, um, nylon and spandex.

So can you kind of tell us like about how you source these materials and how you transform [00:05:00] it into swimwear? 

gigi: Yeah. So this is actually so funny, but normally, like I've done, I've been sewing for now two years. It's a, it's gonna be three years in April, and that's me sewing every day. So I have a lot of scraps and I literally, like, I, I have this like drawer in my office with literally like skinny strings and like, just like all these materials and I just repurpose it for other things, like mm-hmm.

I'll make random stuff around my house or I'll use it for my swimsuits, um, to make the strings or whatever. But I really mo a, a good amount of my fabrics I get from this like low, like, it's like this like family company. And they, people normally send their material like their swimwear or old fabrics or whatever to them and they repurpose it.

And so then I also get a good amount of fabrics from Spoonflower. I don't know if you've heard of Spoonflower before, but they're such a good brand because all their fabrics. So I [00:06:00] design a majority of my prints, but then there's also prints that I just like purchase with the fabric. And um, literally like they print everything on demand.

So a lot of these like companies will print like mass fabrics and then like some of it isn't used and then they like just get rid of it. But these are all printed on demand, which is super nice. And they're water-based prints, so it doesn't use a lot of chemicals or anything like that. And then, yeah, I just like, sometimes like if it's like clothing wear, I'll thrift for fabric.

Mm-hmm. And then like around here, there's a bunch of local businesses and they sell a bunch of upcycled fabrics. So I'll just go and shop around for that too. But I just like, I love to just like dig around and like see like what I can find and like what's unique, especially with the material too. 'cause a lot of times when it's really cheap fabric, like, it's like, I don't even know how to describe it, but like the stretchiness is just like very inconsistent throughout.

But when it's like good, it's a little bit thicker, you know? Um, and it's feels like butter, which is like kind of what I aim for. 'cause sometimes like some [00:07:00] materials like you kind of put on it, it's just like not that comfortable hitting salt water. And I think that's the big difference between like fresh water.

Say like, um, chlorine filled water and then salt water. 'cause salt water gets kind of crunchy. But that's why like, whenever I put these swimsuits, like within salt water, it doesn't get crunchy or anything like that. It still feels like butter, you know? Mm. Especially since I work on boats. I use all my swimsuits every day and like, it doesn't get gross or anything like that, which is super nice.

lexy: Yeah. I think that's so good. And I was just having this conversation, I think like yesterday with someone, but, um, they were saying that they would take like sweaters from a thrift store and like, essentially like un them and then use that, that yarn essentially mm-hmm. To make a new sweater that they would actually wear.

And I was like, I feel like that's like what you can do with thrifted materials at a thrift store. It's like you're, you're taking something that. Is, and you're, you're using it for the [00:08:00] fabric, essentially, which is really cool. Um, 'cause I think that that was something that I was also, we were talking about where it was like, you know, Joanne Fabrics just closed down and like, how do we get fabrics nowadays?

Because that was something that like, Joanne's was like everywhere, like in every town. And like, I live in Los Angeles, so like we're fortunate enough to have like the design district and there's so much fabric there. But like without that, like, I don't know, like a family that lives in Ohio and I don't know how many, you know, just like fabric stores there are, that aren't honestly Joanne fabrics.

Um, 

gigi: yeah. No, it's actually crazy. Like a lot of times I'll go to the thrift store and I think my favorite area to go in is like the sleepwear, because there's so many cute lace slip-ons and stuff. And I'll, like, sometimes if it's like a really, really cute pattern or like lace, I'll just buy it for that and I'll like cut it, redo it, or re fix it.

Like I've gotten so many lay slips and just turned that into like sets [00:09:00] or other clothing pieces. I just, I love thrifting so much. I love that. Especially out here, we, we have savers and honestly like, oh, every time it hits, it's so good. 

lexy: I freaking love, I actually was supposed to go to Savers yesterday. I get so annoyed though because savers, they're in at least where I am, like they have one like every 40 minutes to an hour away from each other.

And so it's like. With the traffic here, like I am, I'm like tracking to get to the savers. And so it's like, it's like I have to like set aside like, okay, I know I'm going to Savers today. I'm spending the day at Savers. Like we're not, we're, this is not fun. Like no funny business guys. I'm driving in there, I'll like call someone on the phone and I was talking to my friend who isn't a big thrifter.

She was like, I think I would like going thrifting with you. And I was like, we can [00:10:00] totally go thrifting. But just, just so you know, like I spend like years at a, at a thrift store. Like I'm not leaving until making a day outta this. Yeah. Like, I need a day, we're setting aside a day and we're, we're just going to one location.

And it's savers because savers are huge and they, oh God. I was, I love a fricking savers dude. 

gigi: And they're so good. Like I absolutely love their pieces and like they just have so many different random make Macs that are just like perfect. 

lexy: Yeah. Oh my God. I literally, where did it go? I thought I just had it here with me.

But I, they have like that section in the home. Um, decor area where it's just like a bunch of random bags of like random shit basically. Yes. I know 

gigi: what she's about. Yeah. 

lexy: And I bought one and it had the cutest, I love to collect like little salt and pepper shakers that have like, like I don't That's so 

cute.

That 

look like other things essentially. And I got one from savers yesterday that, or [00:11:00] not yesterday, the other day. That um, was like one, like the salt container was like a sunflower and then the pepper shaker was like the pot for the, for the sunflower. And I was like, that's so freaking that 

gigi: is, this got random.

My whole entire house is thrifted. Like, it's actually insane. Yeah. It's so crazy. Everything is just so good over here. Like my, this is so funny. This sewing table right here. Yeah. I fully thrifted from savers with the chair. 

lexy: Oh my god. Hell yeah, dude. 

gigi: And it was literally only $15. $15. 

lexy: Okay. That's crazy.

Because I will say my thrift stores near me are so expensive. Like one thing is like $15 now and it's like the salt and pepper shaker was like $15, so. 

gigi: Oh, I know. I hate to how they also like make things really expensive, especially since it was donated for free. 

lexy: Yeah. You 

gigi: know, and I'm just like, certain items shouldn't be that expensive, you know?

Yeah. 

lexy: It's like everything is so expensive [00:12:00] nowadays. I'm like, Ooh, God. Yeah. Gotta gotta, I gotta save up for my coupons now. Um, but yeah, I love that you do that. And I think that, I mean, I was also talking about how like, I think a lot of people will. A lot of the comments that I get and that this person I was speaking to will get is, is like you're taking like clothes away from people that you know need it or something.

And I'm like, there are so many clothes out there. Like, I always say the stat that like, we have enough clothes right now to dress the next six generations of people. Mm-hmm. And like, we're not, it's not even that we're like stopping making clothes, like Yeah. Like that we're still making them like soon Yeah.

Soon enough we're gonna have enough clothes to dress the next seven generations of people. Mm-hmm. And so it's like, there's so much stuff that are, that's out there. And like, even when you go to, you know, like a saver's, like the, the sheer amount of clothes that are just put on. Like the racks to sell is ridiculous to think about.

Like, I'm gonna have to genuinely spend hours to go through every single rack. [00:13:00] But then not only that is like, they have a whole, they have a pull back 

gigi: and it's every week. And 

lexy: it's constantly, like while I was at that save is like people were in the drive through, like dropping clothes off. So it is like guys, they're like constantly getting stuff, um, around the holiday season.

They're getting like even more stuff. Like there are certain like times throughout the year that like, they get extra donations, like, uh, like we need to find more innovative ways of using what's already out there and essentially recycling it. And so, you know, taking, taking pieces and using them for the fabric is, is such a great way of repurposing these pieces.

Um, yeah, I think that. We're talking a lot about sustainability in the fashion industry, but I don't think that sustainable swimwear is something that's like quite as big, like when I need to find swimwear. Like I, I, I really gotta scour the, the internet to find like a sustainable fashion company. And so I think that it's great that you're making [00:14:00] that, you know, more accessible.

gigi: Yeah. Like everything, all the pieces that I make are all handmade and like every collection I make about it really depends on the demand. But I'll make about 20 to 40 pieces. 

lexy: Mm-hmm. 

gigi: And that's it. And it's just like, once it's sold, it's sold. And that's just because I feel like a lot of these companies, so this kind of steers back into it, like when I started, when I started my company, I didn't really know which direction I was gonna go.

And so I remember looking at manufacturers and I looked at one, it was based. Outta California and it was like supposed to be sustainable or, or whatever, but it was $10,000 for 300 units. And I was just sitting here like, that's absurd. Like that's actually like crazy. And I was like, that's why I steered my direction.

I was like, you know what? Like I'm gonna make my own. Because I also thought if I'm producing or if I'm like having someone produce 300 swimsuits, what if all of them don't sell them? What am I gonna do with all this extra? That's why I'd rather do [00:15:00] smaller batches because it's less product that I'm using and it's also like I can see how the demand kind of goes.

And overall, like I honestly, like, I don't think I would enjoy sewing 300 swimsuits in like two, three weeks, you know? Yeah. So I like to keep it enjoyable. I like to keep it sustainable. And also like I wanna. I want like, cheeky to speak its purpose, like to speak its core, which is like, to stop like over consuming mm-hmm.

And mass producing, you know? 

lexy: Yeah. Yeah. I think, I mean, like, that's the other thing is just like the, we're making so many clothes and we don't even know if people are gonna buy them. Like, like yeah. It's, I, oh God. I like basically got in like a very public argument with like, she, and 

gigi: I think I saw that on your Instagram.

Yeah. That was, they're like, I don't, we were 

lexy: beefing. We [00:16:00] still are beefing. Um, but they, I, there was, there was like a representative that. Kept speaking on this press that I was getting around sheen. And like their, a lot of what they'll claim and like their sustainability claims are that like they only make a few, um, pieces of like every, they only make a few, how do I like, so they have their individual styles and then they only make a few pieces for each style.

And I'm like, yeah, but then you make 300 styles in a day, and then you're only releasing, supposedly you're only releasing like 10 of them. And I'm like, okay, so you're doing 300, you're making 10. Like that's a lot of fricking clothing right there. And so that's 

gigi: 3000, about 3000 pieces or so, or maybe, no, my math is not right.

lexy: Yeah. That bath is right, right. 

gigi: Yeah, I 

lexy: think so. Yeah. I think it's 3000 pieces. And so, yeah. And so it's like. It's like, oh, [00:17:00] your whole argument is like, oh, ha ha, like we only made 10 of this one style. And I'm like, yeah, but, and 300 is like, nice. Like sometimes they'll make like, literally like 10,000 styles a day.

Mm-hmm. And so it's like the, it's just like so much, like we're, we're really overproducing and we don't even know when pe if people are gonna buy them. And unfortunately with brands like Sheen and a lot of these fast fashion companies, like they're not high quality enough that when they do try to figure out what to do with the extra stock, like people are gonna like really fight to, because you know, like you'll go to like, like there are like, um, sample sales and stuff.

Um, at least there are in my area. And I see like brands that post about their sample sales and it's like we're getting rid of pieces that didn't end up selling. Um. And it's like, well, when those ones happen, like people will like line up to like get this piece that a cheaper whatever. Like if she and were to do like a sample sale, like everything would be like a [00:18:00] dollar, like maybe people would line up because it's like basically free clothing.

Yeah. But it's like not high quality enough that we're like, yes, like this is gonna be a really great investment and like, whatever. Like they're not doing anything like that. And so I think that like you bring up a great point about overproduction, where it's like, we need to calm the fuck down guys. Like yeah, let's rule it.

It's, 

gigi: it's insane. Like, I literally think about this all the time, but like a lot of the pieces that we got rid of is still out there and it will be out there until we're gone. Like, it's crazy and like. All the clothes that I've shopped, like I've had now for like years, like years and years and years.

'cause I know that if I buy something, like I'm, I'm gonna be wearing it. Yeah. Like, I'm gonna be having that. But then there's a lot of people that like, have like a lot of like impulsive shopping and uncontrolled shopping and that kind of like, doesn't help the overconsumption. Like it kind of leads into overconsumption because all these companies are mass producing [00:19:00] tons and tons of pieces.

Like thinking about it, like 3000 pieces. That's a lot of pieces. 

lexy: Mm-hmm. 

gigi: It's a lot of stuff, but it's just, 'cause like a lot of these companies, like, they don't care. They just care about making money. They care about hitting all these different like mm-hmm. Points and like profiting like times three, you know, like.

For me, like I, I could care less like how much money I make. Like I literally do it because I like to, I wanna stick to the value. Like a lot of people ask me like, oh, like if cheeky right now were to like blow up, like what would you do? Would you get a manufacturer of, I'm like, no. Like they're gonna have to wait about two to four weeks for their product to be made.

And it, because it's all handmade and like it takes time. You know? That's the point. It's supposed to take time. It's not supposed to be something like boom. Mm-hmm. You have an instant, I feel like everything nowadays is so feasible and accessible and like, it's just like really bad. 'cause people just don't really understand like how the system goes.

And I think that's really important for us to like teach this is how it works, this is [00:20:00] how it's, it's going to affect our world. It how it is affecting our world and for generations to come. Yeah. You know? 

lexy: No, completely. I think that. Whenever I get rid of something, I go through like quite the process before it ever even goes back to like a Goodwill.

Um, where it's, I give it to friends and if they don't want it, like there's still like good high quality stuff. Like I'm not just giving them shit, but like, yeah, it's good, high quality stuff. It just might not be my style anymore. And that's fine. And that's something that I really like to think about where I'm like, if I'm buying something, it's something that I, for the most part, I'm gonna wanna keep forever.

Like I 

mm-hmm. 

Really have been off. Like I'm very specific, which I'm, I like, it's so crazy to me because when I, back in the day, I used to shop a lot of fast fashion 'cause I didn't know that it was a problem. And then, um, I didn't even know what fast fashion was. I was just going to these brands 'cause wine.

Yeah. Not, it was cheap and it's, it's all I could [00:21:00] afford. Um, and then like. Then when I started becoming more sustainable, I would thrift, but I would like go to a thrift store and I would just buy shit to buy shit. 'cause I was like, it's like $1, like I would just replace my fast fashion shopping habits with, um, thrifting.

And now it's so crazy to me. 'cause like I don't even scroll on like Depop as much as I used to, like mm-hmm. I'm very specific when it comes to making purchases. Mm-hmm. Like if I want something, it's 'cause I, I like know I'm gonna wear it and I know it's something that I'm gonna keep in my closet for a really long time.

Um, and like, I think that we just need to like slow, slow down. And I think that you bring up the point that like it's gonna take two to four weeks to be delivered to you. And I think that for some reason we have gotten so used to things coming overnight and we really just need to slow down. Like we need to slow down.

Yes. We need to take a breather like it is okay to get [00:22:00] something because I think that like if I know something's coming to me and I know it's gonna be this like really high quality thing, it was handmade by you. Like I'm gonna keep it forever. And I think that's the other thing with swimsuits, like, I mean, other than like the fact that it, I feel like my weight fluctuates a lot, so that's the only reason why I'd be getting, I'd be getting like a different swimsuit.

But like for the most part, I, I keep my same swimsuits. Like I've had the same swimsuits for years and I wear them until I can't wear them anymore. Um, and even then, like I'll figure out if maybe someone else can wear them or if I can recycle them or like what I can do with it. Um, but I think like a good high quality swimsuit is such a.

A good thing to have. Like, I genuinely think that is such a good investment. Like in the summer, we're swimming, we're at the beach, we're at the pool, we're wherever we're tanning outside, like we're doing what we can. Um, and [00:23:00] like a good swimsuit is. So I, I don't know. I, I just think that like, swimsuits are so special too because it's like, you know, like you, you wanna be confident in a swimsuit.

You wanna know that it's not gonna irritate your skin. Like when I go to the beach, I'll go for like, the entire day and I wanna be comfortable and like, I'll have a lot of swimsuits that like irritate my skin or like, whatever. It's like you, I wanna know that when I'm wearing a swimsuit, I can chill in it for a long period of time.

Um, I can be comfortable and I can be confident. Yeah. And so I think that that's like something that it's like, let's slow down and let's let it be okay for something to take time to be made. So that I know that it's like gonna be high quality. This was something I bought my boyfriend something, um, for his birthday, and it took like two months to get to us.

And every single time I was just like, I would tell him, he was like, he didn't, he didn't care, but he was just like, do you know when it's coming? And I was like. I don't, but it is like a small business that's like hand making this thing for [00:24:00] you. So it's like, I know when it comes, it's going to eat. Like it's gonna look so good.

It's gonna be so freaking cool. It's gonna be so worth the weight. Um, but I think like we've just gotten so used to getting things overnight and like I was even talking about, my brother brought up the point, we were having a conversation about this where it was like, it's so interesting and I'm guilty of it 'cause I love a good Uber Eats.

Like I hate having to leave my apartment. But he was like, why could like our burrito bowl get like a nice luxury like drive solo, drive it like a Tesla to our house in like the span of an hour or whatever. And like we don't even have to leave the couch. We can just be like sit and watching TV and it can be delivered straight to us.

And I was like, yeah, this is like crazy. Like we've gotten too accessible. We've gotten too convenient, I think. Yes. And I think it's great to like slow down and remind people that like. For a high quality thing, it's worth the weight. 

gigi: I agree. I think it's like actually so crazy, like how technology and [00:25:00] everything's evolved drastically in these like past 10 years and like, honestly, like for example, Amazon, like I, I am guilty. I do like Amazon. Like I love how it's just like, boom, you need something quick.

Like you don't have to go to the store or anything like that. Mm-hmm. It's like delivered to you. But also like, it has taken away from so many other companies because it's so accessible and like, people have just gotten so lazy. I feel like, and like, it, it's honestly like so crazy to me. Like whenever I go back home and I just like kind of like, see.

Because I feel like here in Hawaii, like everyone honestly, like practices really good, sustainable, like manners, you know? And I feel like that's kind of like what? Like what that spark in me. But then when I go back home and I see everyone else's habits of like just their shopping and everything, I'm just kind of like, oh my God.

Like I just can't do this. Like, it kind of like itches a part of my skin. You know what I'm saying? It's just like, it's so crazy. [00:26:00] And yeah, like whenever I tell my friends about my company back home, or I talk to like anyone, they're always like kind of thinking about like the whole side of like manufacturing and expanding and having other people do it and mask producing.

I'm like, slow your horses down. I am in no rush. Like I want people to have that anticipation, like, because they know that it's being handmade. Like it's not being made in an environment where there's like. Kids working in un, like really bad, just gross areas and getting paid absolutely nothing like, you know, um, yeah.

It's just honestly so crazy to me, just how the world works in so many different areas. 

lexy: Yeah. I think it's really crazy, like, just to think about, there's, um, a quote, it's like the stupidest quote ever. It's like, not, it's like, give it to me, lemme hear it. People have like, like, they're like inspirational quotes and I'm like, my favorite quote is from the fricking actor, Woody Harrison, where he was [00:27:00] like, I don't wanna be accessible to anybody in my life at every, any given moment.

And I was like, curious, like, yep. I was like that part. Like I, for someone who works like on social media. In multiple like aspects of my life, like I create on social media. And then I literally like am meant to scroll trends for the company I work for so that I can like brief our team and whatever. I like hate being on my phone and being on social media.

Like if you see me on my phone, it's because I'm listening to an audio book and I'm playing this game that I'm like absolutely addicted to that I can't stop playing. And it's like, I genuinely think 95% of my screen time is playing this stupid game. And I literally, I'm like, I, my phone's always on do not disturb.

Like I barely check social media. I like, I like clock in, like I like literally like go on Instagram, post my little post and then. [00:28:00] Get the fuck out. And I was like, that's how, like, I think that with our phones and with the rise of social media, like everything just needs to be so convenient nowadays. And like also don't totally, don't get me wrong, like I, I avoid Amazon as much as I can, but there's always something that's like super random that I'm like, genuinely I do not know where else I can get this.

Like, yeah. Yeah. I don't, I have no idea where this is. I, there's not a store for this like, random ass thing that I need. 

Yeah. 

Or like the circumstance in which, you know, I do need something by tomorrow and so I have to order something. But I think that like, I don't know, I really think that the act of slowing down is just something that we need to practice more.

Um, and it's, it's something that's just been on my mind lately where I've been having all these different conversations to PE about people where I'm like. Oh, like people, like, I don't know, I'll always think of my mom as an example. Love that diva. But she, when she gets a text message, she like [00:29:00] throws her phone at me and is like, she'll be like driving or something.

She's like, respond to this. And I'm like, I'm like, well, like they just texted you. Like I get, if it's like something that genuinely needs a response in that moment, but I'm like, you know that like if I was on my phone all the time responding to text messages, like I would only be on my phone. Like, I would only be texting people.

And I like, if I was expected to respond immediately and then they were expected to respond immediately, I would never like look up from my phone. Like, and then I would meet people in person and we'd have nothing to talk about. 'cause like we talked about all of it on, on text. And so it's like, I think we need to.

It's these damn phones. Like, I'm like on like on my high horse phones right now, but I'm just like, I think just slowing down in all aspects of our life is so important. And it's like, I think, I really think just like, 'cause I know that we call like, kind of to combat fast fashion. We call it slow fashion.

Um, but I genuinely am like, I cannot think of a better [00:30:00] term 'cause we just need to slow the fuck down. Like 

gigi: Yeah. Literally just slow the fuck down. 

lexy: Fuck down. Hit the fricking nail on the head with that one. Like Yeah. Hit the, yeah. Whatever. Hit the nail on the head. Yeah. I said it right. I said it right. Why am I doubting myself?

Um, anyway, as a com, like a brand owner and especially working in sustainability, what are some challenges that you've kind of run into, um, and how did, how did you overcome them? 

gigi: I think I literally like remembered when I, when I read this question, but I think honestly like it's just like, I guess my time I, because, so I actually graduate college on Thursday, so two days.

Oh my god. I was so excited. But, so literally like going to school full-time, like with seven classes I worked, I was working three jobs, but I'm only working two. And then also having my business like, and trying to navigate [00:31:00] like branding cheeky and doing the marketing and just making all the soups is really time consuming.

And I think that was honestly the biggest challenge for me was like having time to make these pieces. And then also like just trying to figure out like. Sizing and designs and everything because I think like everything that's kind of put out there is repetitive, right? Like I think trends always repeat.

They always come back and I want to get, like I, if I am gonna be making something that is like a theme within style, I wanna add that touch of cheeky to it. So when you see it, you know, that's Cheeky Swim. And I think that's honestly, like I, I feel like it's, it was kind of hard trying to figure that out, but then I honestly realized, I was like, I am taking my time to make every single piece and like putting on like these logos and the tags and designing the suits.

And I think that honestly like, that's like [00:32:00] the touch to it is that everything's being made. And that was honestly something that I was like having a hard time trying to navigate and figure out like my time and stuff to make everything. 'cause there would be days where like I would just. I would have, I would have work, then I would have class, then I have work again, and then I would just stow into the night.

And it was honestly like kind of stressful, but I made it through and now I have more time to like really like focus into cheeky. But I honestly think that that was my biggest challenge was just like trying to find the time to like create, because I had so many different areas in my life that I was like trying to navigate.

And I just recently hired this girl on island who has like sewed for me. So like whenever, like I've been busy, like she'll just come into my office and like so, or if I'm traveling or anything like that, which is super nice. Or if I need an extra hand. Um, because one thing I also notice is like the craft of sewing.

There's not many people that can do it. [00:33:00] And I feel like just recently people have started getting into more crafting, or at least the people in my life have started getting into crafting more. 

lexy: But not 

gigi: specifically like sewing or showing somewhere, because when you're showing somewhere, it's very different on your machine.

So you have to like really adjust the tensions and everything like that. And like, be careful with the elasticity, so it's not like overstretched or anything. And so it was really challenging, especially to find someone on island to do it. 

lexy: Mm-hmm. Um, 

gigi: but yeah, I mean, other than that it's really just like time.

I feel like that's like really the stressful matter because like I, I, I wear a bunch of different hats mm-hmm. And I'm still taking on new hats to wear. You know, like I feel like for me, like whenever I've been given a challenge, like I always like make something out of it regardless. Um, but yeah, I feel like that's honestly been like the biggest thing.

And then also just like costs, like I feel like. To be, which is crazy, but to be sustainable is expensive. Like I'm paying anywhere between 30 to $50 a yard [00:34:00] on fabric. Mm-hmm. And this is just for one piece of fabric, like, and all swimsuits, doubled layered. Right. So I feel like, especially as like a smaller business, like class is always like the thing, but like I said, like I don't do it for the money.

Like I, I break even, I make some profit and I just kind of like put that profit into a new collection and just kind of like do something new, um, and try to make something cute and unique and not everyone's gonna wear. And that makes everyone feel good when they wear it, you know? Mm-hmm. 

lexy: Yeah. No, completely.

I love that. I think, um, like you said, like trends, trends are. Not, I think, like I've had a conversation with people before where it's like, I think that people think that if we're in the sustainable business, like we hate trends, and I'm like, trends are literally in every industry. Like 

yes. Like 

I know it has sustainable on it or whatever.

And you think that because of that it's gotta be boring and ugly, but actually sustainable fashion is really hot and sexy. Um, and I think [00:35:00] like trends are, like you said, like trends are going to cycle back in constantly. Um, and there are some things that like, they're trending, but honestly, like I call, I think that they're like staples.

Like I think that, you know, polka DOT's been a big one this past year. 

Mm-hmm. 

Or like cheetah print, I feel like always like, has a revival and I'm like, like these are things that like. Those are staples. Like I see, I see cheetah print as like a neutral, like I'm like, I mix everything with cheetah print, I have cheetah print everything.

I love cheetah print. Cheetah print's. The best polka dots. Yes, the best. I'm like mm-hmm. Fricking polka.shoes right here. Like, those are so cute. Thank you eBay. Um, but I'm like, like those are things that like, yes, they might have their moments where they're like moments in their sun, in the sun or whatever, where they're more popular.

But those are things that I honestly think are just constantly going to come back around and always be in style, even [00:36:00] if they're not necessarily on trend. And I think that there, there are some things that, like, I remember a big one during COVID, like cow print became huge and the 

cow print walls and 

bags.

Yeah. And I think it became really like. I don't know. I don't know how to describe it other than like, you'll probably know 'cause you work in fashion, but like there's, there's high quality cow print and then there's like fast fashion cow print and I can like distinctly see the difference where it's like the fast fashioned of it version is like not great, but I think that if you do cow print and you do it right, like it can always be in style.

gigi: Yeah. 

lexy: And that's, no 

gigi: I agree. 

lexy: I'm seeing now I just saw a post about this because like deer print apparently is like gonna be the, the big thing for 2026. Oh God, I cannot believe we're about to be in 2026. 

gigi: I know. This year has just like, yeah, 

lexy: that's like setting me into a spiral. I'm like, ugh, 2026. [00:37:00] And it's so 

gigi: weird, like just saying Yeah, we're in the year 2026.

lexy: I know. I forgot for a second. And I was like, wait, are we about to be in 2027? And I was like. Okay. Like, we're not, but even then, like 2027 sounds crazy and like, that's not far away. Like that's something I used to, like, I remember, I, I feel like we're still in 2017, like what happened? What happened? Where did we get to the 2020s?

I'm scared. Um, but Dear Print is something that I saw about and I was like, again, that's one that I feel like is gonna get really like, fast fashiony. Yes. But if it Right, it can be done really well. But again, like trends are just recycled, like deer print. This is not the first time that deer print's ever been in style.

Mm-hmm. And lemme tell you, it's not the, it's not gonna be the last time. And I think it's just how we like, incorporate them. Or, or, or just like think about them. I think also when it comes to this slow fashion or sustainable fashion, it's about how like our mindset with it. And so it's like. Are we buying this because we really like it, or are we just [00:38:00] buying it because it's on trend?

And that's something that I think I was doing a lot when I first started thrifting, where I was like, 

mm-hmm. I'm 

just buying it because I touched anything cheetah print. And I was like, this is mine. Yeah. And like, this is revolutionary. And then now I'm like, okay, well I'm, I'm a little bit more specific when it comes to my cheetah print because I think that cheetah print's something I can always have in my closet, but just because it's cheetah print doesn't necessarily mean I need it.

gigi: Mm-hmm. 

lexy: Um, 

and so it's just, it's just about how we, how we look at the trends. But 

gigi: No, I agree. I like. That's one thing is like, for example, like my one pieces, I make sure that it's like versatile enough that you can wear it for so many different occasions. Like whether that's like going on an adventure, diving, tanning, swimming, um, going out.

Like that's one thing is I feel like all my body suits just like eat, like everyone loves them because of the cut and style of 'em. And I'm just like, that's it. That's kind of like the focus of it is like, if you're gonna [00:39:00] be making something, make sure that it's versatile and like, like you're saying, trends are, trends, recycle.

Like they just keep coming back. And if we can incorporate like new ways into styling these p pieces that's like versatile and can be repurposed for different occasions, that's like even better. Mm-hmm. But a lot of times, like these people that have these companies and stuff. Um, they don't, they don't have an eye for fashion.

They only have an eye for trends and money, and you need the eye for fashion so you can know how to style everything else, you know? Yeah, 

lexy: no, completely I'll, I've, I, I'm like about to say this and I was like, I don't even think it's literally like a Chanel quote or something, but like I've always, there's like a very big difference between having fashion and having like style.

And I think that that's something that I'll see a lot with. Like the, the push for all these new trends and the rise of social media and stuff is like, a lot of people I think have, honestly, they have like [00:40:00] fashion because they have so many trends. There are so many trends nowadays. Like I remember back in the day, back in the day, um, every time I say that I have to do that, it was so dramatic.

Um. But I remember when I, like first took a class about like fashion trends. Um, I was, I was so young, I was like, like 12 maybe. Mm-hmm. And I was like learning about fashion and they were talking about trends and how trends are predicted five years in advance. Um, and how like even though you think this celebrity wore this, and because of that, she started this trend, like in reality, like there is a whole like market behind why that trend started trending.

And it was literally predicted in advance. And like trend, trend forecasters were like hired because then they could promote those, those trends and they could literally, you could literally forecast and see what was gonna come next. And while you still can like do that, I [00:41:00] just think like, we're not five years in advance in anymore.

We're like five seconds in advance. Like there's like. So many trends that I'm like, I don't even know what's trending anymore because everything's trending. Yeah. And there's my trends and we're putting bows on everything. And then all of a sudden bows are so out. No bows. No bows on anything. Um, 

yeah, 

I actually really like bows my whole Christmas tree.

Me too has bows on them. Like love a good ribbon. Um, but like that was something that we were seeing bows on everything, and then, and then we weren't, and now we're seeing polka dots on everything. And then I'm sure we won't. And then we're seeing this on everything. And it's like, it's like, again, it's just like how we incorporate these trends is what's so important.

And so I think like there's a difference between having fashion and I think that a lot of people I see on social media, which is great. You're still eating? I am. Mm-hmm. Not hating on anyone. Love it. Do you? I'm so here for it. But a lot of people see are like, their styles are so. Trend based that I don't even know what their style is.

'cause their style I feel like is [00:42:00] just like the, what's trending. Um, and I'm like, I just think of that because again, I love trends. I incorporate trends into my own, in my own style all the time. Um, but I think like, just to think about keeping up with the trends and like for your style to be what's always trending, like I just like, am like thinking about it and I'm like, so you're like constantly bringing new things into your wardrobe.

Yeah. And like how do you then fit all of those things in your wardrobe? Like then you're getting rid of all of these things and you know, nowadays with influencers and brands, like we're sending PR packages and there's so much, yeah. Again, there's just so much stuff out there and we're doing it so quickly that I'm like.

I don't know. I just loved your point about like there needs to be someone on these teams, on these brands. 

gigi: Yeah. Like where are, where's this person at? 

lexy: Where's this person at? Like, and, and I think it's great 'cause I think that with consumers pushing for more companies [00:43:00] be sustainable. We're seeing a lot of greenwashing and we're seeing a lot of companies that like are just throwing that sustainable label on there to do it.

But I love speaking with brand owners that are like, really like, no, like I want this, I care about this. This is something that's important to me. And so I am doing this because of the real, the the whole, yeah. 

gigi: It's just like you really like dive deep into our world and like right now, I mean you're probably aware that there's like the, like the microplastic floating island.

lexy: Yeah. Literally 

gigi: almost the size of Texas. 

lexy: Mm-hmm. 

gigi: In between Hawaii and California right now. And it's just like crazy to me to think that like. That's just like a little island, a little, an island of plastic, of trash floating in the ocean, let alone all across the us. There's like so much trash everywhere and in other parts of the world.

I just saw this research that recently they just discovered that there's this like, um, mushroom that grows on the ground [00:44:00] and it like eats up and it breaks down trash and stuff. So they're looking into incorporating this more into like areas that are like landfills and stuff. But then there's the problem of like, okay, like this is like a fungus and like, it, it, it's like it's spreading so they also need to like control it.

So they're trying to figure out like how they would navigate that. But normally, like clothes take like years and years and years to break down. It's just like, everything's just so bizarre to me. Like when you really dive deep into like the science behind microplastics and trash, like just trash in general, which is something that isn't taught.

Like I feel like in schools they kind of teach you how to be like an employee, right? They don't teach you how to be a boss in the education system. And I feel like there's so many things that they're leaving out and that's like environmental factors on sustainable practices and just like [00:45:00] how to be like a good consumer and then like running a basis, I could talk about this for hours, but just like a lot of basic things that I feel like we should know about our planet, we don't.

lexy: Mm-hmm. 

gigi: And we have to like, go out of our way to learn about it and it's just like insane. Like the more you dive deeper into it. Um, but I really liked how you said sustainability is hot and sexy. That part,

lexy: that part. Um, yeah, no, I could also talk about this for like ages. I think it's so interesting 'cause I'm just like, I didn't learn about the fashion industry until like, the truth behind it until I was like going to college. 

Mm-hmm. And I was 

like, I've been in this field, I've been having a blog and talking to people and posting and stuff for, since I was 13.

So like I was in the field and I didn't know about it. So like, obviously the education about it needs to be more prominent and I [00:46:00] think we're definitely talking about it so much more, which is great. 

Yeah. Um, 

but like every conversation I can have and slip like into about sustainability I do because I'm like.

Still, like people might not know. And that's not on them, it's on the way that these things are marketed. It's on mm-hmm. The education around it. And we need to, we need to just talk about it more, but 

gigi: Amen. Yes. I'm with it. So 

lexy: with, I mean, like that, I guess I think that the swim industry is something that, again, we might not be talking about specifically in terms of sustainability, but we really need to, I mean, you're directly going in the ocean, you, or, or just swimming.

But usually, you know, I put on a bathing suit and I go outside. Mm-hmm. And so at least I'm in, in the environment. Um, and so it's, I think it's, it's been criticized for contributing to fashion waste, especially in the fast fashion cycle. So how do you think that the industry can really tackle this issue?

Um, and what do you think that maybe your role, cheeky [00:47:00] swim's role is? Imp in, in that. 

gigi: So I don't know if you've ever like seen manufacture videos of like how they produce like swimsuits or any piece of clothing, right. Or food in general. It's these big machines and they like get the fabric and they literally slide it through and it's just automatically cuts and then all that waste, they just toss it.

Right? But one thing that people like don't realize is that every single piece of fabric matters. So whenever like let's say have like five yards of fabric, I am literally like playing a puzzle and I am fitting every single crack of any piece of pattern I can to use all of the fabric. Mm-hmm. Like by the time I'm done with this piece of fabric, like I literally have, I'll show you, lemme grab

like most of the time. The little pieces of fabric that I have left from my [00:48:00] cutouts are like, this are literally pieces that like you can't really do much with. But if you wanted to, like, I like to save these for arts and crafts because I like to scrapbook. Mm-hmm. So like, if I, like I, I like to do a, a sample book, right.

I've been kind of working on this, just saving every piece of fabric and doing like a kick out book of like all the fabrics I've used and worked with. So I'll save little scraps like this. Or even if I wanna do like little patchworks, like I could cut out a star or heart and like use up the scrapbook.

But it's just like, these are the scraps I end up with. And a lot of these companies end up with like literally like. This much of scrap, which is like a full block. Mm-hmm. Like half a yard of fabric that like you could, you could make a bikini set of that. Yeah. You could do patterns. And I think that's, that's the issue.

That's literally the issue is that like, we're not only overproducing products, but we're wasting products. Right? Mm-hmm. And I honestly think that like with cheeky, like you just know that what you are getting has been like cookie cutted. Like [00:49:00] I am using every single piece of fabric. I'm not letting any single piece to waste.

And I think that that's something that a lot of brands need to really reconsider, especially for the price of the book, because. Like I said, sustainability isn't cheap. And if you're gonna be paying that much money for fabric, you might as well use every piece of it for, to make products or whatever. And I think that's something, that's something that I've recognized and realized with a lot of these companies is like they're wasting so much fabric, let alone creating so much product.

And I think that it's just important to like, use everything that you can, you know, and just like really like use it to the most and make the most out of it. Um, but yeah, that's something that I've definitely like realized and think brands need to take a better look into is like waste, you know, like thread waste.

Like sometimes like I'll do like, uh, I'll sew and then I'll have like. Strings that I cut and I didn't use, and I'll just wrap it up on my spies. Like, I'll normally use it on my bottom bobbins, but I'll just like mm-hmm. Keep wrapping it around and I'll reuse it. So [00:50:00] you know that like, even though this thread didn't work for this piece, I'm ing it around here and reusing it.

Mm-hmm. You know, I think it's just really important to find different ways to like. Use what you have. Yeah. And keep repurposing it. You know, like I said, I think like innovation isn't everyone's cup of tea. And I think that every company needs someone that's like trying to be innovative in practicing sustainable practices.

lexy: Yeah, no, completely. I think that's great. Nothing gets wasted. Um, there's always use for, for stuff that's like my, 

gigi: everything, 

lexy: my apartment, I'm looking around and I'm like, I just keep random shit. Like someone, I was at an event yesterday and they were gonna throw out this board that we like put the charcuterie board on and, and I was like, no, I'll take that.

I was like, don't get rid of that. What do you mean? I'm like always like grabbing shit. I'm like nothing to be wasted. Um, yeah. So I think also when it comes to some suits, you know, we're in the sun, maybe we're in chlorine, maybe we're [00:51:00] in, um, salt water. Um, but you know, there's a lot of wear and tear with, with swimsuits.

So how do you encourage people to kind of repair, recycle, or extend the life, um, up their swimwear? 

gigi: So like, obviously with any piece of clothing there's gonna be wear and tear, you know what I mean? But one thing with cheeky that I like, have really like, kind of like instilled is like, if something were to happen to your swimsuit or damage it, like send it back.

We'll fix it for you and ship it back to you. You know, so you can always keep that suit. Like that's just kind of like. Part of it, you know? And I think that a lot of companies should have that. Mm-hmm. Kind of like incorporated in, because not only does it build like really loyal clientele, because they know that if something were to happen, that you have their back.

But also it keeps it like repurposed, like it keeps it going. But I think that's like the problem is like they want you to get a new one. They want you to spend that extra buck and do 

lexy: that, 

gigi: you know? Yeah. But that's just kind of something that like we do, I also, like, I have washing instructions, um, which I didn't know how to wash somewhere for a really long time, but you're supposed to wash it in cold water and just let it air dry.

It's [00:52:00] that simple. I used to just like put it in the washer and put it in the dryer, but putting it in the dryer with that heat is awful. And it also rips your strings. Like it burns it. Like I've had that happen to me so many times and I didn't really know what was going on. And then I was like, wait a minute.

It's my washing process. I'm doing something wrong here. 

lexy: Yeah. I've 

gigi: that happen. Yeah. And it's just like, it's, it's something simple like that that really brings the life of the swimsuit and it keeps it going longer, you know? 

lexy: Yeah. I think that's so, such an important point to bring up is like, first of all, the amount that we wash things, we just don't need to wash them as often as we think we do.

Like if you literally just look up like a, like a washing chart, like there are things that it'll say like, how often to wash your sweaters, how often to wash your, wash, your denim, um, even your workout clothes, like if you didn't sweat that much in it, I respectfully don't think it needs to be washed. Like, 

yeah, 

that might sound gross, but genuinely, like the item is not dirty.

Um, and I think that that's something that I've encouraged a lot of people to look into when it comes to sustainability. Um, and something that I've been doing a lot more research on because. [00:53:00] I feel like I'm constantly doing laundry. Um mm-hmm. It's like the bane of my existence, and so whatever I can do to do less of it mm-hmm.

While also then essentially extending the life of my garments, um, I sign me up for, yeah. Um, but I always like to end my podcast asking. I think we covered a lot of them, but what, what tips would you give to someone who is just starting their sustainable journey? 

gigi: I think that it's really important to dive deep on like your practices, like see like what in your life are you doing that?

Like if you were to take an outsider perspective, an expert sustainable er, like what area would you change? And then like do your research on it. Because in our day to day, there are so many things that we can like change. Like for example, water waste, like that's one thing. And then also just like recycling something that simple, like your tans and stuff.

And then also like how you're shopping, what you're shopping. Also the products you're shopping. Like a lot of times, like the [00:54:00] food we eat and the clothes we wear, we don't know what's being put into it. And I think it's really important to do your research so you know what you're paying for and what you're getting.

Um, and I think that's honestly like the best thing that you can do. Like give yourself some grace. Like it is hard, like really like locking in into sustainable practices just with our world. Like it's ever changing and ever evolving, and there's just so much coming in and coming out. So give yourself some grace, but really make sure that, you know, when you start, you can do something each day because it does make an impact.

Like mm-hmm. A lot of times people are like, oh, like there's billions of people on this planet. Like, just because I'm doing it, like no, it's gonna go unnoticed. It's not like it, it's not gonna go unnoticed. And it'll spread to your friends, to your family, to the people around you and look up to you. Like we have so many silent lovers out there and people that like.

Look up to us. I think it's really important that like everything that we do, we not only do it [00:55:00] for ourselves, but also do it for the benefit and, and like best interest for everyone else. Mm-hmm. 

lexy: Yeah. No, completely. I think those are great tips. I think that every little small thing, no matter how small you think it is, like it has a ripple effect.

Like even I was, had my family over for Thanksgiving and I was talking to my brother about some of the like sustainable things I do. I think what really gets people's attention is that I don't have paper towels. Mm-hmm. I only have like rags. Mm-hmm. And that always seems to be like a topic of discussion when people come over to my house.

'cause they're like, where do, where are the paper towels? And I'm like, oh no. Like, use the rag. Yeah. And, and then it, it, it like. Starts a, a conversation where then I was, he was like, wait, that's really interesting. Um, and then he like asked me questions and I was like, yeah, I, I literally just. Wash them and then I roll them back up.

Um, and there you 

gigi: go. It's ever evolving. [00:56:00] It's, and not only 

lexy: is it am I like getting more use out of it or like using the same thing over and over again, but I'm saving money like paper towels. The added cost towels, it's sensitive though, are so expensive. The more and more I do it, it's like that, that thing where it's like if you spend $7 on a coffee every single day, that doesn't seem like that much money.

$7 might be a lot. I don't know if that was ridiculous. $7 is like a coffee in Los Angeles. I'm like coffee. Yeah. 

gigi: Yeah. It's like a matcha with no added things. No oil, no oatmeal, 

lexy: milk, no flavor, anything. So I'm like, it might seem like it's just $7, but if you got that every single day, like those $7 adds up and that's how I see like the paper towel costs where I'm just like, yeah, it might be $15 or something.

Which that seems cheap on my end as well. But, um. That might not seem like a lot, but $15, like every two weeks is a lot of money. And then I started talking about like my composters and like how I keep every jar and [00:57:00] there's like a million wine bottles around my mm-hmm. 

Mm-hmm. 

Okay. A million's excessive, I don't drink that much.

There's like 10 wine bottles around my apartment that I repurposed into other things. And so it's just, it like started this conversation of sustainability and not throwing things out. Um, and it was like, I was like, if I could have the conversation that I was having with my brother, with every single human being on the planet, like I genuinely think it would make such an impact, but I'm just gonna start with my brother and then I'm gonna have, and then he thought it was really interesting.

And so then I, he was like, wait, send this to my girlfriend. She's gonna love that. And so then I sent it to her, and then maybe people go to house and it's that ripple effect. Yeah. And it's like, it might seem stupid, it might seem silly, but it really does have an impact. 

gigi: It does. Like for, this is so funny with the wine bottles, but I save my wine bottles and I use it as, um, bracelet holders.

I do too. It's so cute. It's so cute. It's so cute. Or I'll use it and like, I'll like fill it up with some water and put like some flowers in it or whatever. Yeah. [00:58:00] And like, I love wine. Like I, I drink a lot of wine, so I have, 

lexy: I just feel a good amount of lash 

gigi: on my kitchen. Like, I don't know, like I just keep it.

'cause it's also like the bottles are cute. They're not ugly. Exactly. And like, you can repurpose it. And there's just so many different ways. Like I just, I love just being creative and I think like that's, that's the thing is like everything's becoming so modern and like people are really losing a sense of like creativity and color and life.

And I think that's why there needs to be people like you and I who are like instilling these like lights in people so that they like, can like be like, oh, let me try this. Let me do this. You know? 

lexy: Exactly. Yeah. Well if you like the wine bottles, I follow this creator. I can send it. Send her Instagram to you, but she, I got really into keeping all my wine bottles.

And so then she posts like all these different ways that you can repurpose wine bottles. And so I got this glass cutter off of eBay. Mm-hmm. And you can like, very easily apparently cut glass 'cause you just barely cut it or whatever. And then you pour [00:59:00] hot water on it and it like Yeah. And it just breaks apart.

Yeah. Yeah. Um, and so. I have, I haven't tried it yet, but I got a glass cutter and I am gonna like, make some planters out of my wine bottles, some cups. Mm-hmm. Out of them. So I'm really excited. Um, but that's another way that I plan on like reuse, repurposing and like you said, it's just about getting creative.

And I, I do love, 'cause I feel like I'm seeing this a lot on social media, but like people are getting a lot more crafty than we once were, and I think we're mm-hmm. We're all finding our whimsy. Um, and I think that that's great. Um, but then instead of buying necessarily new craft materials, like just look around at what you have and see what you can repurpose together into other things like you do with keeping every thread and keeping every little thing of, I've been playing with like this little scrap ribbon this entire time.

It's so cute. And I'm like, I keep, like all, everything is kept for the most part as much as I can. Um, and so I think that like the more people we can get to just keep shit the better. Yeah. But where can people find you on social [01:00:00] media if they wanna learn more, maybe buy some Cheeky Swim. 

gigi: So I have a website, it's www.cheekyswim.com, and it's cheeky with an I.

And then I also have an Instagram and it's at the Cheeky Swimwear. Um, and then I have my personal Instagram, and that's Gigi Chobi. Um, that's G-I-G-I-S-C-H-O-L-B-I. Um, but yeah. And then we also have a TikTok, which is the same as the Instagram. And then we also have. I have my personal TikTok too, which is the same as my name.

But yeah, Instagram and TikTok, and then the cheeky website. 

lexy: Amazing. Well everyone go check out Cheeky Swim. Go check out Gigi. And thank you so much for coming on and chatting with me. This was so much fun. While you're at it, you can follow me on my socials, my Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, or all my name at Lexi Silverstein. That's LEY silver like the color, S-T-E-I-N.

And remember to live a good life and look fucking good doing it.