Among suns, seashells and bikinis in sunset colors, the inner world of designer Gabriela Berlingeri comes to life through her new line, D29 Swim.
This expansion into swimwear design from her jewelry brand Diciembre29 (D29), a name inspired by her date of birth, marks a milestone for the designer, who brought her online store before the public at her first pop-up shop from Sept. 12 to 14 in Santurce.
Visitors to Emilio Olabarrieta Event Atelier were able to explore the collection "Lo que esconde el sol," which includes 12 styles of bikinis and one-piece swimsuits with designs that celebrate feminine sensuality and the coastal nature Berlingeri loves.
The colors of Puerto Rico
The five colors the line offers, "Sunset Wine," "Isla Verde," "Luna Nueva" and the prints "Sol de Culebra" and "Sol de Isabela," were designed by Berlingeri using silhouettes drawn from photographs close to her heart: the eye of her dog Sansa, her best friends celebrating, the seashells she collected with her father, the outline of her hometown of Carolina, the lamp her grandmother designed and the route to her house.
"It's like a compilation of what my life in Puerto Rico has been and the people who have shaped me throughout that process," said the 31-year-old entrepreneur.
The different patterns also reflect her love of sunsets over the sea.
"She really likes autumnal tones, which have a lot to do with the transition of shades at sunset; she loves that sun," said Emilio Olabarrieta, owner of the atelier and an event designer for more than 25 years, who transformed his office space into a pop-up with a warm, refined atmosphere.
D29's jewelry complements the collection with chains, earrings and bracelets adorned with seashells, seahorses and starfish, though its standout piece is the Sontse necklace: a golden, smiling sun that adds a chic touch to any outfit.
Design as a personal language
In addition to designing jewelry and swimwear pieces using quality materials, Berlingeri affirmed her commitment to sustainability through limited production runs and the use of eco-friendly packaging.
Each garment is made individually and packaged in biodegradable boxes. Leftover accessories and materials are used to make pieces for her limited collection One of One, which she launches each December with unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.
"We create pieces by reusing all those garments or all those stones that were never used, so as not to throw them away or give them away. Simply, so that there's a piece of each little thing that was left behind," she explained about the year-end collection.
Likewise, the prints for the swimsuits were designed intentionally to avoid overproduction of fabric and to continue her commitment to sustainable merchandise.
"For us it was important to highlight that the print would be cut differently and that the same fabric would be used for a certain quantity," said the designer, who also performs on "En Casita" alongside Bad Bunny.
These practices also allow the designer and her team to meet production demand.
"A lot of people think Diciembre29 is this giant company with a giant warehouse; the reality is that it's not," Berlingeri said.
Despite being a small company, D29 joins the list of designers creating styles inspired by Puerto Rican culture, alongside other emerging designers such as Herman Nadal, known for his embroidery celebrating Puerto Rican heritage; Lizaimi Rivera, with her bold and sustainable pieces; and Yayi Pérez, who has reimagined the tradition of the linen guayabera.
These creators, like Berlingeri, have found in fashion a vehicle for affirming Puerto Rico's cultural identity, especially visible during events such as La Residencia de Bad Bunny.
"I really like the level of design happening in Puerto Rico, how it's growing, how young people are reinventing themselves," Olabarrieta reflected on the fashion scene on the Island, hopeful that the industry will continue to grow with new talents like Berlingeri.
For more information about D29's available collections, visit diciembre29.com or its social media on Instagram.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
