_{Crystal Jin Eley came up through the fashion industry one rung at a time, but the comprehensive experience gave her the firm ground to establish Crystal Jin, a luxury swimwear collection.}

      _{Upon moving to New York, the Minnesota native soon landed a position with Vlada, an emerging designer who operates a boutique and atelier on the Lower East Side. After attending Parsons The New School for Design, Eley made the rounds at Proenza Schouler, Catherine Malandrino and Lela Rose in the areas of design, sales and marketing. But it wasn’t until designing accessories at J.Crew that she knew it was time to launch her own line.}

      _{There are many reasons why Eley chose swimwear, but two stand out. Like many ventures, hers is based on necessity since she could never find styles, colors and fabrics that appealed to her personal taste.}

      _{The other is a result of her roots. Minnesotans take their precious summers seriously, and Eley is no exception. Her fond memories of this magical, ephemeral time when women shed their heavy, winter layers for sexy, playful and exotic swimwear inspired her designer monokinis and bikinis. The state’s famous lake communities like Minnetonka and Wayzata also played a part, as she grew up immersed in a sailing, swimming and power boating culture.}

      _{Though Eley traveled extensively from a young age for exposure to edgier culture and style, the Midwest’s fashion scene still had its limits. Having become interested in the field during her teens, she knew only New York’s energy would suffice.}

      _{The Brooklyn resident taps into the borough’s cultural diversity, art and natural beauty from sprawling parks to waterfronts. Design concepts also come from a range of sources—a shopping spree at her favorite store Barneys, painter Mark Rothko’s color palette or historic, dance costumes during a trip to Russia, to name a few. Believing this delicate balance leads to her best work, Eley thrives on variety, never monotony.}