Our Story

Hi, I’m Jess, founder of Cinque Tahoe — a swimwear collection inspired by the timeless beauty of Lake Tahoe and the Italian spirit of la dolce vita.

The name “Cinque Tahoe” is a nod to Cinque Terre, the centuries-old seaside villages along the Italian Riviera coastline. It’s an homage to long summer days at Lake Tahoe — slow mornings by the water, afternoons spent in the sun, and evenings shared with great friends, food, and a glass of Aperol spritz.

My love affair with Lake Tahoe began in the winter of 2021. A few friends and I stopped at the Mt. Rose scenic overlook on an especially clear day, where the lake glowed a brilliant shade of topaz beneath the mountains. In that moment, I felt I had discovered the most beautiful and aspirational place I had ever seen — nature's perfection.

Over time, I came to understand what makes Tahoe feel so extraordinary: the striking contrast between the clarity of the lake and the rugged mountain landscape surrounding it. To me, it represents a rare kind of excellence — both wild and refined at once.

Now living in Tahoe, I find myself in swimwear year-round: swimming in the lake during summer and watching snow fall from a hot tub in winter. While searching for bikinis that reflected this lifestyle, I longed for something more timeless — swimwear made with exceptional materials, classic silhouettes, and comfort that allows you to move effortlessly through the day.

So I created it myself.

Cinque Tahoe is a collection of thoughtfully designed swimwear crafted to feel elegant, enduring, and comfortable — pieces inspired by the beauty of Tahoe and the joy of living well.

No matter where we come from, there is something about Lake Tahoe that connects all of us. We come here to feel free. To slow down. To savor life more fully.

Jess Lee
Founder, Cinque Tahoe