Sunshine awaits with our next Hype Girl, Morgan Smith. Founder of luxury children's swimwear brand, minnow, Morgan is the brain behind our latest brand crush and product collaboration. On the heels over Kids' Coverup collab, we chatted with Morgan about all things minnow.
Tell us a bit about yourself: where you’re from, where you live now, your family, etc!
I’m Morgan Smith, wife and mother to three, ages 6 (Theo), 3 (Georgia), and 6 months (Julian). I created + run the children’s swim label, minnow. I am from Laguna Beach, CA yet currently enjoying the Lowcountry while living in Charleston, SC.
At Weezie, we’re (clearly) all big-time fans of your beautiful children’s swimwear line, minnow! Tell us about founding the company. How did you find yourself in this sweet niche?
I started off my career in the corporate fashion world in NY and LA, but always felt I would do my own thing one day, it was really about waiting for the right moment and authentic idea.
When my first son was 14 months old, I was consulting at the time and decided to take advantage of the flexible work scenario. We embarked on a home exchange in London. While there, we took a weekender to the Amalfi Coast. Before our travel, I searched London (a city with a large children’s clothing offering) in mid-July for boy’s swim options, yet I was disappointed with the assortment. I just wanted clean, simple with a great fit. It got me thinking about where I had found my son’s swim options back home, and how it always felt like this “find”, either I would buy the shorts way too small for him or find a vintage pair off Etsy so they would hit above his knee. Because knee dimples are meant to be seen! So when I got home from our house swap, I went to work on the first style, the minnow boardies for my little muse.
You and your family of five recently moved from California to Charleston, South Carolina. What are some of your favorite things about living in Charleston? What influence has your new hometown had on minnow?
Because my husband and I are both from Orange County in Southern California, we really wanted to expand our family’s experiences and try a new adventure. We had come to Charleston, three years prior for work and fell in love. It’s hard not to! Along with the city’s idyllic charm, incredibly kind people, and impressive food scene, the coastal beach life sealed the deal for me. I have always felt a love struggle between the west and east coast. I love the east’s appreciation for history, tradition, and charm. And I love the west coast’s fresh, and laid back feel. Both you will find in minnow’s inspiration as clean + classic, but still current.
Tell us about your perfect beach day!
I love a bike ride (or golf cart ride) to the beach, my family in tow at either Three Arch Bay in Laguna Beach, or Sullivan’s Island outside of Charleston.
We love minnow’s brand mantra - ‘sunshine awaits’! What does it mean to you and the company?
This year specifically, gosh it’s meant more than ever! We’re hopeful and positive, that the good is always waiting and that special memories are yet to be made. All my favorite family memories involve a swimsuit! As a child, or a parent watching life through your child, there is something about the excitement of summer or your family trip, that anticipation is part of the sweetness of it all.
Speaking of hashtags, how do you make sure you are enjoying your stay on the daily?
I wear my Weezie robe after every shower/bath, and get ready for the day in it! Usually involves chasing kids around to get dressed while wrestling to put on their shoes. Both my kids request wearing my robe when they get out as well, and at last, now they have their own!
Our team loved collaborating with you and the minnow team on our limited edition Kids' Beach Coverup. Tell us a bit more about the classic light blue stripe we landed on: has it always been a mainstay in the collection? Which suits will you be pairing with it?
The classic powder blue stripe is part of minnow’s signature classic collection. A timeless stripe in the perfect hue that is forever sweet for your matching moments. I love a monochromatic matching look, so I’d pair it with the minnow girl’s powder blue stripe ruffle one-piece or powder blue stripe boardies (now available in infant sizing). If wanting to complement, the navy ruffle collar one piece would be very chic!
You seem to have a handle on summer-living. What's your go-to summer recipe?
Growing up in the summer my mom would plant a “salsa garden” with all the ingredients to make the best summer salsa. Thanks to the quarantine, we planted our first garden this year and in her honor did a salsa garden. My favorite recipe below:
- 4 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium mango, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and cubed
- 3/4 cup fresh corn
- 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Current brand crush?
Oh, so many! Basically every brand we’ve collaborated with, it’s easily my favorite part of doing minnow is partnering with these incredibly talented creatives and authentic brands, like Weezie. Others include Loeffler Randall, Clare V.
Favorite Interior Designer(s) to follow?
Favorite coffee table book?
Mother and Child by Claiborne Swanson Frank
Favorite artist?
Last show you binge-watched, last book you read, or last podcast episode you really loved?
What might we find in the Smith Family Beach Bag?
- Morgan's Beach Bag: Minnow Family Tote
- Morgan's Swimsuit: Minnow Women's Red Gingham Ruffle One Piece
- Morgan's Hat: Minnow Meadow Hat
- Morgan's Sunglasses: Eldridge Honey Gold Sunglasses
- Theo's Swimsuit: Minnow Boys Navy Boardie with Side Binding
- Georgia's Swimsuit: Minnow Girls Navy Ruffle Collar One Piece
- Julian's Swimsuit: Minnow Infant Powder Blue Stripe Boardie
- Joel's Swimsuit: Saturdays NYC Ennis Board Short
- Sunscreen: Supergoop Play Sunscreen
- Beach Towels: Weezie Light Blue Striped Beach Towels
And of course, our minnow x Weezie Kids' Coverup for wrapping up post-swim.
Shop our Minnow x Weezie Limited Edition Collaboration while you can! Want to keep reading? Check out our recent interview with Interior Designer, Ariel Okin.
