For years, Catherine Huss searched for a swimsuit that was flattering, on trend and modest — one that gave her a confident feeling. Not finding what she was looking for, the Minnesotan now living in San Diego decided to design swimwear and start her own company, Siena and Co. Swimwear.
Huss said she grew up being taught that modesty is important. “But I also really love fashion and clothes,” she said. “And I didn’t feel like there were many options that I could find that … fit both of those … And so that’s kind of where the inspiration for designing modest swimwear came from.
Catherine Huss
“I have never been able to find a swimsuit that has everything I wanted — something that has more coverage that I can feel comfortable and confident in. And so, I just thought that if I am looking for this, other people must be, as well,” she said.
Huss recently joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show producer Cami Berthiaume to discuss her swimwear for an episode airing at 9 p.m. Oct. 1.
In addition to having a fashion sense, Huss’ education helped prepare her for starting a swimwear company. She studied Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul and, at the same time, apparel design at the St. Catherine University, also in St. Paul. “I loved being able to study those two at the same time, kind of learn the ins and outs of the fashion industry, how to sew, how to construct and design and … all those elements of that industry,” she said.
The biggest takeaway for her from Catholic Studies was always putting the dignity of the human person first and foremost.
Her first swimsuits are black and flattering, she said. “They don’t hide the female figure, but I think complement the way God made us.”
Clothing can’t be one size fits all, Huss said, especially with formfitting swimsuits, so she uses design elements that help fit a swimsuit to many people, such as adjustable straps.
Modesty can be subjective, Huss said. And she is not aware of any standard Church teaching on modesty. She believes “what is best” is something all of the faithful are called to discern in conversation with the Holy Spirit.
Her swimsuits provide more coverage than “the average swimsuit,” she said, but buyers can find swimsuits even more modest than hers. “You can find some suits that now cover from head to ankle and everything in between,” she said. “Everyone needs to discern what is best for themselves,” she said, and she is excited to provide more options.
To view Huss’ swimsuits, visit siena-co.com. Huss also posts on Instagram at siena_co.
To learn more about the inspiration Huss found during a trip to Siena, Italy, and its influence on naming her company — and to hear the full interview — listen to this episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show. It also airs at 1 p.m. Oct 2 and 2 p.m. Oct. 3 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Jeremy Stanbary and Jeromy Darling, who discuss “Art on Tap,” a new offering from Open Window Theatre, and Steve Grass and Bri St. Amour, who preview the upcoming Archdiocesan Youth Day.
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at:
soundcloud.com/PracticingCatholic
tinyurl.com/PracticingCatholic (Spotify)
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