Before a new Sienna Swim print ever makes its way onto a bikini, it begins with a drawing.
It's one of the things we've always loved about creating our collections. Every line, every color, every little detail starts with an idea that someone on our team has taken the time to bring to life. And for us, that someone is Nikki.
Over the years, Nikki's original artwork has become part of what makes Sienna Swim recognizable. You've seen it in some of our best-selling prints, on the beaches you take us to, and even in the pages of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. But what you don't always see is where those designs began, or the people and places that inspired them.
With our newest collection, Somewhere Warm, arriving October 30, we thought it was the perfect time to share a little more of that story.
It Starts with Nikki![]()
Meet Nikki Cook Gomez, the artist behind our hand-drawn prints and an important part of the Sienna Swim creative process.
An accomplished tattoo artist working between Southern California and Hawaii, Nikki has built a devoted following for her intricate, distinctive work. When she opens her appointment calendar, available sessions are often booked within hours. It's a testament to the artistry and attention to detail she brings to everything she creates, including the original prints she designs for Sienna Swim.
Every Sienna Swim print is original, created exclusively for our collections. Rather than choosing from a catalog of existing patterns, Nikki develops each design through its shapes, colors, and smallest details. It's a personal approach to print design, and one that gives our collections a look that's distinctly ours.
She's also family. Nikki is Dina's daughter-in-law and Sienna's sister-in-law, which means many of the conversations and experiences that eventually inspire a collection happen naturally, long before anyone sits down to design it.
That's something we love about working together. Nikki knows Sienna Swim from the inside, but she also brings her own eye and artistic instincts to the process. The result is artwork that feels personal to us without every print needing to look like the one before it.
From a Drawing to a Favorite
If you've been with us for a while, you'll probably recognize a few of Nikki's designs.
Fleur and Blue Stripes have become favorites over the years, and both have appeared in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. Seeing artwork that began within our small team make its way into those pages is something we'll never take for granted.
But one of our favorite things is seeing what happens to a print once it's out in the world. The same design can look completely different depending on the silhouette, the colorway, or who's wearing it. A print we first saw as artwork becomes someone's vacation bikini, the suit she packs every summer, or the one she comes back to when it returns in a new color.
It's also why we spend so much time getting the details right. A change in scale or a slightly different shade can give a familiar design an entirely new feel. Sometimes we'll revisit an idea we've loved for years; other times, we'll start with something completely new.
And sometimes, the next idea is waiting somewhere very familiar.
A Little Inspiration from Hawaii
Some of the best ideas come when you're not looking for them. For Sienna and Nikki, inspiration for our newest print came during their walks together in Hawaii, surrounded by tropical flowers and the sweet fragrance that seems to linger in the island air.
It's one of those little things that stays with you about Hawaii. The flowers growing along the roadside, the colors against the lush greenery, and a scent that can instantly take you back, no matter how far from the islands you are.
That familiar beauty became the inspiration for Palms, Nikki's newest hand-drawn print for Somewhere Warm. She took the flowers they loved and reimagined them through her artwork, creating something that carries a little of Hawaii with it without being a literal interpretation.
For this collection, Palms comes to life in two colorways: Berry, rich and vibrant, and Olive, softer and more understated. Both begin with the same original drawing, but each has its own distinct feel.
It's a beautiful example of how a shared memory can find its way into a collection, from something as simple as a walk together to a print that's entirely our own.
Somewhere Warm, Wherever You Are![]()
With Somewhere Warm, we wanted to hold on to a little of what we love about warmer days: beautiful colors, easy silhouettes, and pieces that feel just as right for a getaway as they do closer to home.
Alongside our newest hand-drawn Palms print in Berry and Olive, we're bringing back a few familiar favorites. Plaid, a print many of you loved from years ago, is making its return in a beautiful mix of soft, earthy greens. We're also welcoming back Mango, with its warm golden shimmer, and Palm, a vibrant color that has become a favorite in its own right.
There are new seasonal hues to discover, too, including soft Petal and rich Blackberry. Together, it's a collection that brings a few old favorites into the mix with something entirely new.
Somewhere Warm arrives Friday, October 30, at 9 AM PT. We can't wait for you to see it all.
With love,
The Sienna Swim Team