Kore: Fashion and Sport

The co-owners of Kore, sisters Jessica and Nicole Tracy, admitted there are some beautiful swimsuits out there in the world—the kind that “look amazing by the pool”—but they couldn’t find any that fit their discerning taste for both high-end, artistic design and sporty activities.

“You can be playing volleyball and look amazing or you can be paddle-boarding and look great, and it’s still functional. You’re not popping out of your swimsuit,” said Jessica Tracy, who previously designed women’s apparel for a boutique in New York.

The two sisters were living on opposite coasts during the time they hatched the idea for Kore, so they reconnected in San Francisco, where Nicole was working for Google. They launched Kore’s first season to deliver for Spring 2012.

In its sophomore season, Kore hits a stride with its one-pieces, which are stunningly pretty and flattering on the body. Jessica, a fine-arts graduate from Rhode Island School of Design, was inspired by architectural lines—skyscrapers, art deco, Rem Koolhaas buildings and hourglass structures.

“We love the clean look. We love having the basic blacks and neutral colors. … I love designing one-pieces more than bikinis. It’s like wearable art.”

Wholesale price points range from $42 to $58 for separate tops and bottoms, $106 to $120 for one-pieces and $54 to $102 for coverups. Most of the nylon/spandex fabric used is sourced in Southern California, and some are from Italy. Jessica said the fabric is thicker than standard and double-lined so that a suit “really holds you in” and is durable to withstand exposure to chlorine and saltwater and being tossed in and out of bags and suitcases. For more information, contact Zing USA at (310) 664-9464 or visit www.koreswim.com.Rhea Cortado