Saint Holiday is a collection of travel inspired clothing and accessories, consciously made from all natural materials. The brand is a true exploration of barefoot luxury. Designed for the mindful traveler and influenced by the concept of buy less, choose betterSaint Holiday is focused on making vacation-ready pieces to be enjoyed season after season.
The brand practices slow fashion in all aspects of design and manufacturing. Creating quality pieces that last and will not go out of style is at the core of their sustainability. Inspired by classic resort silhouettes and menswear, the collection takes a modern approach to vacation style. Clean lines and tailored details are a signature of the DNA. Each season offers limited edition prints inspired by island living, featuring expressive botanicals in playful colors. Creating custom colors and prints that are reminiscent of holiday memories adds the emotional element. Original artworks are hand painted in partnership with local artists and screen printed at the mill. The highest grade fabrics and materials are selected in Europe and Japan, choosing organic and sustainable fibers whenever possible. Each style is then cut and sewn in their boutique atelier in New York City. Working with skilled artisans and family owned businesses is intergal to the process.
The wholesale strategy for Saint Holiday focuses on curated destination shops and hotel boutiques, including The Four Seasons, Montage Hotels and Curio at the Faena Hotel. The collection is also available on the brand's own website, www.saintholiday.com. This season’s range includes caftans, sarongs, swim covers, beach sets, jewelry and bags with a men's swim trunk launching soon. Retail prices are from $68 to $398.
Founding Story
Co-founders Kate Lessa and Vijay Paintal both worked in the fashion industry for many years before dreaming up Saint Holiday. Kate designed accessories for Vera Wang, DVF and J Crew before making the change towards entrepreneurship and sustainable fashion. Vijay already had experience running a business and manufacturing, he worked with his family producing apparel for top retailers. The vision for the brand began over a dinner with friends in the West Village. Their shared love of design, travel and textiles was the inspiration at the start and continues to be. Vijay resides in New York City where the brand is based and Kate splits time between NYC, Paris and Bermuda.
A long-time New Yorker now based in Bermuda and Paris, Kate Lessa is the creative behind the brand—responsible for Saint Holiday's design, images, and overall mood. A Philadelphia native and alumnus of Boston University, she started working as a stylist after graduation. This work led to a fascination with design and a move to New York City. After years of designing accessories for brands DVF, Vera Wang and J Crew, Kate teamed up with friend Vijay Paintal in 2018 and pivoted into resort wear. An avid traveler, she always shops for wearable souvenirs on her trips. Exploring markets, hotel boutiques, and artisan shops for embroidered tops, crochet dresses, and beaded jewelry, she likes to find items that conjure memories of a specific place and time. Influenced by this hobby, the duo started making vacation-ready pieces at a small factory in New York City. The first samples were inspired by a vintage tuxedo shirt bought in the South of France. Barneys picked up the launch collection and many of these original designs are still core to the brand.
