Our Story

Hi I’m Jess, and I’m proud to share my beautiful collection of swimsuits designed and made in Lake Tahoe. Cinque Tahoe was born from a deep love of Lake Tahoe and the Italian spirit of la dolce vita.

The name ‘Cinque Tahoe’ is a riff on Cinque Terre, centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. It’s an homage to the timeless beauty of summertime at Lake Tahoe, great to indulge alone for yourself and even better to share with a company of great friends and food (and perhaps a glass of aperol spritz or a spoonful of tiramisu!).

My love affair with Lake Tahoe began in the winter of 2021. A few of my friends and I ended up at Mt. Rose scenic viewpoint, looking out into the beautiful topaz colored Lake Tahoe on a particularly sunny day. It was then I knew I had found what I had been looking for my whole life – the most pure, beautiful, and aspirational place in the entire world, a little “city” in the sky.

I asked myself this question a hundred times: “why is this place so special?” After a few years of reflection, I believe it’s the clarity of the lake that showcases the secret life of giant boulders underneath the water, that leads our eyes up all the way to Mt. Tallac, whose sharp defined ridges, especially with snowfall, can only be described as the visual representation of the highest excellence.

Now living in Tahoe, I find myself in bikinis year-round, swimming in the lake in summer and watching snow fall in the hot tub during the winter. Browsing through an endless selection of bikinis online, I found myself desiring swimwear made of quality material, classic high couture design to be wearable for decades, comfortable for running carefree at the beach, and with an attainable price tag. So I decided to make it myself. And now I am sharing it with you-- a collection of swimwear that I hope is as special as you are.

No matter where you come from, there is something that connects all of us when we spend time in Lake Tahoe. We’re here to experience the sense of freedom only this place can give. To make our days count. To make the best use of the time we have on earth. To love living life.

Jess Lee
Founder, Cinque Tahoe