Meet Laura Day of Iaera Surf in San Diego

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Day.

Laura, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
While Iaera Surf is a young brand, it’s been a story in the making for over a decade.

I’ve always loved creating, and when I was a kid, my Lola (grandma) sparked my interest in sewing. I owe my passion for sewing to her.

In 2008, I moved to San Diego, to study architecture & design, and I acquired an old surfboard.

Like a true surf girl, I was enamored.

A few summers later, it became my goal to make my own clothing. Though at the time, I had no plan of what this summer project would become.

That was the summer Iaera Surf was born.

A combination of my passions for design, sewing, fashion, and surfing came together in one garment:

An orange rash guard with blue flowery sleeves, cut with a darted bust and curved hip for a feminine fit. It was a garment that would fit the shape of my body, something that so much surf wear seems to ignore.

Fast Forward to 2016…

A degree earned, a couple of years living in Australia and a handful of unforgettable adventures later, I was back in San Diego, sitting in my apartment, wondering what came next.

When the same summer creativity came back around.

I dug out my orange rash guard and began to cut and sew.

I began to build Iaera Surf.

While experimenting with fit, function, and color. I developed the paddle sleeve and a small collection of unique and colorful rash guards.

My philosophy was and is:

If I created garments that fit and functioned for the everyday woman, I could highlight the uncelebrated diversity of women within surf and beach culture.

Because while the surf industry has been busy telling us who we should want to be, they have missed out on the uniqueness and beauty of who we already are.

-Laura Day, founder

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Starting a business is never a smooth road! The biggest challenge is starting a business as a one-woman show and learning how to decide what the most important thing is to focus on and accomplish.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Iaera Surf – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Iaera Surf is a women’s surf, sun, and swimwear brand made in San Diego. We create clothing for the uniqueness and beauty of every woman, not just one industry standard. Our signature garment is the rashguard. Many surf and beach centric brands focus so closely on fitting and sizing an industry standard that they often ignore designing for women of more common shape and size. This problem is apparent in many industry rashguards that are cut too narrow for a woman’s bust and hips. We solve this problem by creating garments that fit and function for the everyday waterwoman. Our rashguards are cut to include room in the bust and the hip, while the sleeve is tapered, and double lined for paddle, surf and swim function. Our philosophy is that if we can provide garments that fit and function the everyday woman, then we can highlight the uncelebrated diversity within surf and beach culture because we don’t need an industry-standard model to make our clothing look good. We are proud to celebrate and represent the diversity of women’s surfing.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are very excited to announce that we are currently building a mobile boutique. Once complete, we’ll be hosting in-person pop-up shops at our favorite surf breaks up the coast of CA as well as inviting other local surf entrepreneurs to set up shop with us! Pop-up shops are our favorite because we get to meet women in our community while getting immediate feedback on our products.

Pricing:

• $89 – The Tani Rashguard: Crew neck rash guard, perfect for surf, sun & swim, rated UPF 50+, Made in San Diego
• $52 – The Nava Reversible Bikini bottom: Seamless, reversible, flattering and comfortable bikini bottom that doesn’t pinch or tug, UPF 50+, Made in San Diego
• $99 – The Mazu Rashguard: High neck rash guard for extra sun protection, perfect for surf, sun & swim, rated UPF 50+, Made in San Diego

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iaerasurf.com
• Phone: 619.800.2092
• Email: hello@iaerasurf.com
• Instagram: @iaerasurf
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/iaerasurf

Image Credit:
RC Dumper, Grey Lockwood, Jenn Farmer

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