“It was really kind of an organic question, does the universe want me to do this? I'm going to be open to try it out, not be afraid of failing, doing it very small, but courageously.” -Amanda Chinchelli, founder and designer at Seea (Hamburg, California) speaking about starting her women’s surf business on the Second Breakfast podcast by Surf with Amigas.

Episode: The Story of Seea: A Women's Surf Fashion and Culture Revolution

Amanda Chinchelli sews the first prototype of a surf suit in her garage in Hamburg, CA in 2011.

Photo Nick LaVecchia

Telling our Seea story and sharing the purpose behind our brand is something that Seea has always found important. When you wear Seea, you are wearing our history and the people behind our brand. We do not just make swimwear because it looks cool (which we believe ours does!), we make it because we want to create community and share the water. 

One of Seea's team riders Mele Saili in the Hermosa.

Photo by Mark Tesi

Our founder and designer Amanda Chinchelli sat down on Second Breakfast podcast with Holly Beck from Surf with Amigas to talk about just that. Who is Seea, and why do we care about all of you, the planet, and making surf wear that has a purpose. 

Amanda started Seea more than 10 years ago because just like many of you, she was in need of a swimsuit for her surf trip to Costa Rica that looked cool and performed well, and that’s exactly what she did. She made the surf suit, and Seea was born. 

Amanda surfing in California.

Photo by Connor Eck

Surfing with friends.

Photo by Filippo Maffei

In this episode on the Surf With Amigas podcast,  Amanda and Holly discuss everything from how Amanda started surfing in Italy, moving to Hamburg, the start of Seea, beauty expectations, the growth of the business while still staying true to Seea’s roots, Seea’s community, being a working mom, and sustainability. 

Jackie and Holly together in Seea. 

We are so thankful for all of you, our customers, surf sister, and friends in the line up. Community is everything, and Seea is so thankful for you support. 

“I think it's a gift. I can create something that's a passion for me, so I'm going to do something that I love.” -Amanda Chinchelli

Surfing with the Seea team in California.

By Connor Eck 

Mele Saili surfing.

Photo by Filippo Maffei

Hello Brother and Sisters of our sea,

After just few days here we are with the second part dedicated to Amanda, Betta and Natalia. A fashion designer, a stylist, and an illustrator, each bound by the surfing sisterhood and a deep friendship.

Onde Nostre's girls shine under an Italian September sun: Three different styles, perfectly blended, traveling between waves with thoughts on friendship, freedom, and future.

RITRATTI DI SURF | GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS | part2 from BLOCK10 on Vimeo.

Thanks again to Luca Merli and the Onde Nostre crew for capturing all the love, and to Matteo Ferrari for the these behind the scenes shots. For our friendships, this trip, and our amazing experiences together, we are forever grateful.

When people talk about Italy, they might mention the art, fashion, and the wonderful food, but little do they know that the land of Pizza also has waves! They may take time and a bit of patience to find, but when you do, the waves can be sweet! Our friends of Onde Nostre have been chasing these waves for years, and recently started documenting their travels with the 2010 release of their self-titled film, Onde Nostre (Our Waves), starring upcoming Italian surf talent Alessandro Ponzenelli.

With the success of their first release, Luca Merli and Matteo Ferrarri have started work on their second full length surf flick, due out in 2013. Until then, the Onde Nostre crew is keeping busy - traveling, surfing, and filming short vignettes, loosely titled "Ritratti di Surf". These "Surf Portraits" follow the adventures of fellow Italian artists & surfers, so we were very excited to receive an invitation to film our own surf portrait in Sardinia with the Onde Nostre crew!

Can't describe the excitement of being reunited with my favorite italian Seeababes Natalia aka Gise and Betta aka Franco. We were so hyped to be together for this trip!!

It's an overnight ferry ride, but who needs a bed?? We crashed out in true surf-bum style.

Straight off the boat and right into waves, "Nelly" gets some tip time while Filipo Maffei scores some sweet water shots

Currently the head stylist at Vanity Fair Italy, the amazingly gipsy chic Elisabetta Dal Bello stops for a quick portrait in her San O suit. You can check out her beautiful line of hangbags here.

Lots of surf checks on this trip. We got waves, but not always...

Sardinian "Surf Portrait"

Photo Courtesy of Onde Nostre Tumblr

We are pleased to introduce surfer, fashion illustrator, and Seeababe: Natalia Resmini. Hailing from Ventimiglia, Italy, Natalia has been happy to be Amanda's "partner in crime". Sharing sessions together around the world, from San Onofre to her hometown beach, just twenty miles from the French-Italian border.

"I spend my time travelling and surfing, creating illustrations for the Italian and international press. My art tends to be dreamy, sexy, and colorful. When I paint or draw, I like to imagine others enjoying what I create. I’ve painted nearly everyday for almost 15 years now - It hasn't always been easy to make a career out of art, but for me painting is truly a primal need."

"Surfing is a dream. It's an exploration of ideal and beauty. It helps me to concentrate and to be determined. There is a link between tracing lines on paper, and on the sea. Both are amazing sources of inspiration for me."

"The Hermosa suit is my favorite suit. When I surf with it, I feel like the Queen of the peak! What other suit can make you feel this way? Amanda is one of my favorite women in the world. She is beautiful, glamorous, generous, creative and very positive. We met at the beach one summer about 9 years ago - the start of a great friendship! Since she moved to the states, I miss her a lot, so I come visit whenever I can!!"

"I love to do sketches and watercolors, with inspiration drawn from everyday life. I particularly like portraits - when the paintings come out well, I feel like a magician! It’s an “Alchemy” of sorts, a mysterious process of extracting the quintessential nature of the subject, which leaves me very connected to the both the portrait, and to the interesting people I meet."

"My home spot is amazing - the swell there is not consistent, but when we have waves, they are full of poetry. When there are no waves in sight, I like to fly to Morocco – it’s close to Italy, and the flights are cheap and fast. Arabian culture is fascinating and Morocco is truly a place of dreams. Spending time there has given me new tools to work with artistically as well, the food is amazing, and the waves, too!"

"I believe everyone is the architect of his or her own life! Mine is not yet as balanced as I would like, but I cannot complain. Travelling to less affluent countries has given me the chance to compare and understand my life. I feel very lucky and grateful for what I have been given, and for what I have chosen to build with it so far."

This week I had the pleasure of being back in my native country, Italy. Besides visiting family, eating lots of pasta, and shopping (of course!!), I finally got back to "business" this weekend, which meant hanging out with Margaret & Matt from Bing at the Single Fin Festival held at Nimbus of Marina di Pietrasanta, just a few hours away from Florence on the Tuscan coast.

Pretty cool to get the chance to hang with Margaret in my own country!!

The Bing crew graciously let me display my suits at their booth while I chased a few Mediterranean ankle slappers.

Le surfiste italiane! These girls were stoked and already knew about Seea - it made me so happy!!

Matt and Margaret check out the premier of another great episode of Onde Nostre

Luca and Giovanni from Onde Nostre screened their logo on the back of my Seea Tank. Thanks guys!

Showing off some Seea suits in the Mediterranean miniswell :)

"Work" continues this week, as it's off to Sardinia to surf and film with my lovely italian ladies and the crew from  Block10 . So excited!! Stay tuned for more trip photos and hijinx from the road. You gotta love Italy!!   XXOO SHAKAMUCHACHAS!

Thanks to Shannon at the Swim Collective for a great show, and to Laylan for the wonderful write up! Hope to see you in the water soon!!

All smiles, Amanda and Casey plan out a few "Special Projects" for the Fall...

Meanwhile, good friend & artist Colt Bowden lays out the new Thalia window display!

Opps! paints are cheap!! Colt picked up a great palate for just 50 cents each.

Sneek Peak!

Thanks again to Casey, Nick & the entire Thalia crew for the all the love & support - What a great Summer!!

Stay tuned for more Seea x Thalia goodness this fall!

Tyler Warren, all smiles. Brian Bent & his lovely wife Rivka keep cool in the shade.

Retail display meets fine art at Ron Herman

Vintage surf memorabilia fills the walls as a backdrop for the revival brand M.Nii

Scott from Generic Youth manned the grill while the Mattson 2 cranked out the tunes. With good vibes & free drinks on tap, the Parking Lot Jam was a definite good time.

Many thanks to Ron Herman for putting on a great event. Looking forward to doing it again next year!!

Dedicated to surfing and the culture of those who love it, we are particularly fond of Nalu magazine, and were humbled by the interview, and the attention afforded to our young brand. Seea would also like to thank the editors of Blue and Honey for making such wonderful, high quality magazines, and for doing so much to bring the joy of surfing to the women of Japan. 

If you are in Japan this month, you can win a pair of Seea suits, courtesy of BLUE magazine!

Seea was also featured in the premiere issue of Honey - a new magazine dedicated to fashion and beach lifestyle!

Seea babes Ashley, Amy, and Heather grace the first page opposite the inside cover!

Nalu is another awesome Japanese magazine, dedicated to the stories of surfing tastemakers across the globe.

Amanda, cruising San O in the Swami's Playsuit. Photo: Naki Sur

Double full page spreads - A nice way to introduce Seea to Japan! Thanks Nalu!!

Last month we were lucky enough to receive a visit from star fashion photographer Jana Cruder. Sent by the fashion editors at Orange Coast Magazine, Jana stopped by Seea HQ to snap a few shots of Amanda. Seeababes Meredith & Heather were on hand as well, so laughs were guaranteed and we all had a great time!

 Jana is a pretty awesome photographer, and we really enjoyed working with her this time around. The product shots were amazing, and she captured some great images of the girls in the suits.

The girls, looking good.