I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35, when my eldest son had just turned 2 and my younger son was 5 months old. We felt the lump in the hospital right after I gave birth to my youngest, but we just assumed it was a clogged milk duct. Ultimately, that small lump grew until it was poking out of my skin and the day before my two year old’s birthday party, I learned I had cancer.
I underwent chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, immunotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, and breast reconstruction. After my breast reconstruction that following summer, I was so excited to put on my swimwear and get back to the water where I have always felt my best. However, I struggled to connect with my new body, especially when it came to being carefree at the beach and pool. I became self-conscious in swimwear and couldn’t find the kind of elevated, modern and youthful swimwear made for women like me. So I decided to make my own! After numerous iterations, invaluable input and countless (and I mean countless!) try-on sessions with many women, resme was born.
In addition to a higher neckline, extended underarm coverage, and UPF50+ fabric, our swimwear has a unique padded top that smooths, compresses, and conceals any areas of asymmetry.
Resme is named after the initials of my family, my reason for everything I do: my two young sons, Ronen, Eli, my husband and better half, Saul, and Me. (And after starting Resme, our miracle baby was born, and we named her Mara Resme).
If you’re in a swimsuit, something is going right in life – whether it’s just for those 20 minutes, that day or even that week. The last thing you should be doing is fidgeting with your swimsuit, when you really just want to be enjoying the moment. I created Resme with one simple goal: to make high-quality, beautiful, small-batch swimwear that offers us sophisticated yet subtle coverage, so we can focus on the fun and not the suit.
We proudly donate 5% of our proceeds to cancer charities.
To place an order or learn more about the brand, please visit our website @ www.resmeswim.com.
Photo Credit: Sydney Sheehan
Some more with Julia…
How old are your kids and how long have you lived in the area? I live in Weston with my husband and our 3 kids, two boys ages 7 and 5 and our baby girl who’s 6 months old. We’ve lived in Weston for about 8 years, and I also grew up here as well.
How did you end up where you are now or doing whatever passion project it is you might be doing? I started creating
resme swim a few years ago, right after I finished active treatment and reconstructive surgery from breast cancer. I couldn’t find elevated youthful swimwear that worked for my new body, so I decided to make my own!
What are two things still on your bucket list? Learn to surf with my boys and go skiing in Europe
What is one food you could not live without? Dried mango
What is one product you could not live without? It’s a tie between Aquaphor and Kari Gran face balm.
What is your greatest indulgence? Chocolate chip cookie batter
What’s a cause or purpose you deeply believe in? Health equity + cancer research.
What is your favorite family tradition? Game night with our kids before bedtime. That and Sunday morning hikes.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? My friends and family always tease me about my repetitive words and phrases, they stick in my head for weeks. Lately, my word is ‘bizarre’ and my 6 year old can’t stand it when I say it so of course I try to use it as often as I can 😉
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what might your career path might have been? Before starting
resme swim, I practiced law for a number of years. I’d probably still be doing that!
If you could travel to one place this next year, where would it be and why? Beautiful St. John in the USVI, my husband and I love it there and haven’t been back since our honeymoon. I still dream of the beaches there.
Are you a morning person, or a night owl? How does sleep fit into your life? Morning person for sure! I love waking up before anyone else in my family and watching the sunrise from my studio while working out or stretching.
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? Popcorn
Cook or order in? Cook
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee? Iced
Beach or Mountains? BEACH
Glass Half Full or Half Empty? Just right.
Sauce on the Side or Sauce on Top? On the side!
Crunchy or Smooth Peanut Butter? Crunchy
Guacamole or Salsa? Guac
Attend a Party or Host a Party? Attend
Call a friend or text a friend? Call
Vacation or staycation? Vacation
Before bed: Social media or book/TV? IG and book
Watch or play sports? Play
Stay in or go out? Stay in
Comedy or Drama? Drama
