Letarte Swimwear

An exotic trip to Tahiti wasthe source of inspiration for LeTarte's Tres Sexy tees. The brand is known for using unique accessories-like real tortoise seashells-on their swim and cover-ups.

Letarte’s flagship store stands in the middle of Maui’s hip North Shore town of Pai’a. Designed on Maui, Letarte’s bohemian luxe swimwear, cover-ups, and “Petite Letarte” line fill the sun-drenched space. Celebrities, locals, and tourists alike take pleasure in the island vibe that fills the store. Fresh island flowers, whimsical accessories, and a hand-painted Letarte surfboard adorn the interior. However, little do people know that the business is run from the coastal town of Fairfield, CT.
Michele Letarte Ross, CEO of Letarte, has headed up the business side of the company since its inception in 2000. It began as a small operation in Michele’s Fairfield home. When the house started to bust at the seams with boxes of bikinis, the business was moved to a quaint office space right around the corner on Black Rock Turnpike. Surrounded by ocean blue walls and photos of bikini clad models, everything from production, sales, PR, accounting, and shipping is orchestrated from the bustling eclectic office.
The company was created when Michele’s sister, Lisa Letarte Cabrinha, a former pro windsurfer living on Maui (and wife of big-wave surfer Pete Cabrinha), longed for chic swimwear that matched her lifestyle. Michele’s experience in the garment industry in NYC made her the perfect partner to run the business side, so the sister’s teamed up and Letarte was born. Together, Lisa’s island lifestyle and Michele’s city influence blend to create the striking and unique designs that the brand is known for worldwide.

Getting ready to catch a wave on a Maui beach with a hand-painted, customizable Letarte surfboard.

In addition to the usual day-to-day tasks, the global brand focuses on giving back to the Fairfield County community. Letarte donates proceeds from trunk show sales to charities such as the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center and Surfrider Foundation. Swimwear and cover-ups are regularly donated to the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, local school and church fundraising events and silent auction charity events like Cancer Care of Connecticut’s “Girls Night Out.”

Decorated with a trademark zebra rug and fresh island flowers, celebrities, locals and tourists alike take pleasure in the island vibe that fills the Letarte flagship store.

Michele has also been involved with the intern programs at Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University for the past five years. College juniors and seniors are welcomed into the office for 10 to 12 hours a week and are exposed to the inner workings of a growing worldwide business. Towards the end of every school year, the office hosts a Fairfield Ludlowe High School senior. In place of attending class, the student works in the office and is given the responsibility of organizing every aspect of the popular Letarte warehouse sale that takes place the week of June 7th.
“It’s a privilege to run our business in the town where I live, so it’s always been a priority at Letarte to give back to the community that supports more than just our original styles,” says Michele.
Though Maui’s white sandy beaches are the inspiration for the brand and home of the flagship store, for the sisters and fans of Letarte, the 203 region is where it all happens.

Letarte is available locally at Soleil Toile in Westport & New Canaan, Darien Sport Shop, Snappy Gator in Fairfield and Tahiti Street
in Greenwich.