Meet the Designer
Hello there. I’m Angela, the designer and creator of Salinity Swimwear. It’s hard to sit down and pinpoint exactly where it all began. I honestly believe every moment of my life has led me to where I am today. Down this path of creating, exploring, questioning everything and then learning to trust the process. I’ve always been making things, reinventing myself, and chasing what lights me up. But if I had to choose a starting point… here’s where it began.

I grew up as an only child in the woods of southern Oregon. My parents divorced when I was very young, and I spent two weeks on and off with each. They were polar opposites. My mom lived off the grid without running water or electricity. We’d build fairy houses, made candles from my crayons, go fishing, hike, pan for gold, or search for rocks and minerals. My dad, a computer programmer, kept me entertained with technology. I didn’t realize it at the time, but those early days would become the foundation of my creative life.
In high school, my dad was diagnosed with brain cancer. He went in for a routine surgery and ended up in the ICU. At just 16 years old, they were asking me if I wanted to pull the plug. I shut down. He spent years in and out of hospitals, and eventually we found a way to care for him at home. Watching someone you love slowly change and disappear is something you never forget. I escaped into drawing. That’s when I knew I wanted to go into a creative field, I just always assumed I’d be a painter.

While my friends went off to college, I stayed close to home. I took painting and drawing classes at the local community college and dreamed of showing in galleries. When my dad passed, I felt like the only thing holding me in place was gone. In that emptiness, I found freedom to create a new life on my terms. I moved to San Francisco and enrolled at the Academy of Art University to pursue art full-time.
At first, I focused on painting. I wanted to learn every technique, study the masters, and become one of them. But surrounded by insanely talented artists, I started to doubt myself. Maybe I wasn’t meant to be a painter after all. I decided to experiment. I took classes in printmaking, sculpture, photography even neon. Then I discovered metal.

The moment I took my first jewelry class, I was hooked. Metal was malleable, scientific, and deeply satisfying. My analytical brain lit up with the challenge of taking an idea and turning it into a tiny, wearable piece of art. I loved playing with fire, solving problems, and holding something beautiful at the end of it all.
After earning my BFA in Jewelry and Metal Arts, I realized I didn’t want city life anymore. I discovered a magical little town called Todos Santos in Baja California Sur, Mexico. It was full of artists, entrepreneurs, surfers, expats—and tacos. I saw women running their own creative businesses by the beach and thought: Why not me? I’d always wanted to live near the ocean. I didn’t have a reason not to go, except fear. So I sold everything that didn’t fit in my car and drove down the Baja peninsula. What was supposed to be a short adventure became the life I’d been looking for.

I started selling my jewelry at the local farmers markets and slowly built a name for myself. It was my first real experience learning what it meant to build a brand. I would set up a booth, make jewelry displays, design packaging, and got my pieces into shops around the penisula. I met amazing people, found a creative community. I would spend my free time learning to surf, snorkeling remote beaches and exploring hidden coves along the Baja coastline. Life felt full of possibility.
Then the pandemic hit...
With travel paused, I decided to get scuba certified. It had been on my bucket list for over 10 years so it seemed like as good of a time as any. My very first open water dive was magic. Crystal-clear Baja waters, pelicans diving above us, sardines shimmering in the light. I was underwater and in awe. Thats when everything changed, I was hooked!
Every extra peso from jewelry sales went toward diving. I became close friends with my instructor Ellen, who introduced me to new sites, species, and amazing women in the dive world. I started traveling to places like the Socorro Islands and the Bahamas for dive trips. This was the life I wanted.

Eventually, I decided to take it further. I became a Rescue Diver, then a Divemaster, and finally a PADI Instructor. My passion was shifting. I was dreaming of the ocean more than the studio.
Being on boats every day in the blazing Baja sun, I started looking for better sun protection. But I couldn’t find anything I loved. Everything looked the same or didn’t reflect me at all. I found one $50 boring blue rash guard being sold in town and thats when I started designing my own.
Using my background in art and tech, I began creating ocean-inspired patterns. I wanted something that felt like me, something functional and beautiful. I sourced recycled fabrics made from discarded plastic bottles and focused on UPF 50+ sun protection. Just like that, Salinity Swimwear was born.
This brand is more than a clothing line. It’s a love letter to the sea. It’s gear for ocean lovers, designed by someone who lives it every day. Rash guards that protect your skin and help protect coral reefs by reducing the need for sunscreen. Designs inspired by real encounters underwater. A celebration of the vibrant, magical world beneath the surface.
“It’s interesting to note that the most kind and courageous souls you meet in life are usually those Who have faced the most cruelty and conflict. This vicious world may well sharpen us like a blade, But weather we use this power to protect others Or cause pain is always our choice to make.”
With great power • Beau Taplin

I became a scuba instructor because I want to help more people fall in love with the ocean. If they do, they’ll want to protect it. I’ve already seen reefs disappear after one hot summer. How can anyone care unless they’ve seen it with their own eyes? There are no guarantees. You’ve got to get out there and live it.
Starting your own business isn’t easy. But when your soul depends on it, you find a way. I’ve always said I’d rather be broke and happy doing what I love than rich doing something I hate. Every piece I make is infused with love—and supported by those of you who believe in it.
So thank you for being here.
Life is short. Dream big. Trust yourself. Say YES. Follow your heart.
XOXO,
Angela
A few fun questions so you can get to know the salty soul behind Salinity Swimwear
💡 Quick Q&A With Angela
Favorite ocean creature?
It’s so hard to choose just one because I feel like I’ve had such good connections with many different types, but I love octopus. I find them so fascinating and smart, and they definitely feel like my spirit animal.
Your favorite place to dive?
I still feel like there are so many places I haven’t been to and want to explore. Baja is home and so beautiful, but I was lucky to go to the Socorro Islands. That’s still been one of my favorite trips to date we got 3-6 oceanic manta rays on every dive. I is hard to beat!
Most magical underwater moment you’ve had?
In the Socorro Islands, a dolphin came right up to me, super curious, and practically shoved its nose under my arm for belly scratches like a dog. I couldn’t believe it was being so friendly and interactive. It really felt like a dream come true.
Favorite ocean pattern you’ve designed?
The artist in me always thinks every design could be better. A little more dynamic, more tropical, more interesting but one I spent the most time on and still love how it turned out is the Tropical Fish pattern. Funny enough, it’s actually the least ordered one!
Most underrated marine animal, in your opinion?
There are so many interesting little creatures that get overlooked, especially all the different types of zooplankton. The other day I saw a purple sea snail for the first time, which totally blew my mind. They make mucus bubble rafts to float along the surface of the water.
Go-to post-dive snack?
Tacos. There’s nothing better than fresh-made tacos with all the toppings after a good dive and maybe a refreshing beer or margarita, too.
If you weren’t an artist or dive instructor, what would you be doing?
After starting this brand and building the website, I’ve realized I really like branding and design. I think I’d work with other people to help them start up their own joy.
Biggest lesson the ocean has taught you?
Getting tossed around in the waves has taught me to never underestimate Mother Nature. It’s made me very safety-minded and super aware of my surroundings and conditions.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be afraid to try new things & the best is yet to come. I was really shy and timid as a child, I never wanted to try things for fear of looking silly or not being good at it and i would stress about not know what i like to do.
Favorite beach or coastal town you’ve visited?
I’m biased here because Todos Santos, Mexico, where I live, is truly such a beautiful place. There is great food, great people, and such a creative community.
Artistic medium you love but don’t get to use enough?
Oil painting. I constantly think about all these ideas I want to paint and hang on my walls, but those projects tend to be the ones that stay unfinished or never even get started.
The best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Someone once told me kind of as a criticism that I waste too much time being anything other than myself. I was shy and quiet for a long time, but that really stuck with me. It took years, but I’ve finally gotten more comfortable saying what I think and being me.
Shop My Favorite Prints
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Nudibranch
Celebrate the ocean’s flamboyant diversity with our Nudibranch-inspired collection, a tribute to...
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Tropical Fish
Embrace the beauty of the ocean with our tropical fish-themed swimwear, crafted...
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Whale Shark
Inspired by the ocean's gentle giants, these pieces feature playful patterns that...

🌊 Follow the Journey
Join Angela on her ocean adventures as a scuba instructor and eco tour guide. From guiding local tours to tropical dive trips, get a personal look at life beneath the surface. Or dive into the world of Salinity Swimwear. Get the story behind the brand, a peek behind the scenes, and be the first to hear about giveaways, sales, and new product drops.
🧵 Explore Ocean Threads
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Shark Diving Safety Tips for Scuba Divers, Free...
Shark diving is one of the most exhilarating ways to experience the wonders of the ocean. Encountering majestic sharks and graceful rays up close is awe-inspiring, but it’s also an...
Shark Diving Safety Tips for Scuba Divers, Free...
Shark diving is one of the most exhilarating ways to experience the wonders of the ocean. Encountering majestic sharks and graceful rays up close is awe-inspiring, but it’s also an...
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How Lionfish Became an Invasive Problem in the ...
The lionfish is a stunning creature with its vibrant stripes, flowing fins, and dramatic spines. Beneath its beauty lies a fascinating yet destructive story. From their astonishing reproductive capabilities to...
How Lionfish Became an Invasive Problem in the ...
The lionfish is a stunning creature with its vibrant stripes, flowing fins, and dramatic spines. Beneath its beauty lies a fascinating yet destructive story. From their astonishing reproductive capabilities to...
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Women Who Make Waves: Carlee Jackson Shark Scie...
Carlee is one of those people wearing about a million hats a Jill of all trades. She’s a marine biologist specializing in the effects of tourism on sharks, an environmental...
Women Who Make Waves: Carlee Jackson Shark Scie...
Carlee is one of those people wearing about a million hats a Jill of all trades. She’s a marine biologist specializing in the effects of tourism on sharks, an environmental...