Cosima Swayze

We were so lucky to be able to ask Cosima Swayze a few questions about the development of and inspiration behind her brand and were very excited to talk to her about her relationship with Lotty and Mustique too!

📸 Lotty B: A young Cosima modelling original hand painted Lotty B sarongs on Mustique

PH: Firstly, we have some fabulous photographs of you wearing Lotty B when you were a child - what do you remember of childhood holidays on Mustique? 

CS: I spent a huge amount of my childhood on Mustique and consider it a home away from home. I remember the absolute thrill of diving into the warm, salty sea at Macaroni Beach during school holidays - it was pure joy. Because we spent nearly every break there, we became especially close to our cousins who grew up on the island, and I adored modeling my Aunt Lotty’s beautiful designs for the Pink House. Every time I return, I’m instantly transported back to those magical days - the scent of the Caribbean air, sandy feet, and a rum punch at Basil’s to watch the sunset.

📸 Sophie Fauchier: A Mustique picnic, featuring some of Lotty's designs - Cosima wearing a Ray print silk kaftan

📸 Lotty B: Cosima and Eleanor modelling Lotty B's stunning hand painted silk sarongs at Lagoon Bay on Mustique

PH: We imagine that growing up surrounded by talented, creative people must have been a huge source of inspiration. At what point did your love for interior design emerge and who is your biggest inspiration? 

CS: I think I have always loved beautiful design - whether in a home, art, jewelry or fashion. Travel has also played a huge role in shaping my eye. From a young age, I was lucky to visit incredible homes around the world, each with its own distinct style. I’d leave each place filled with ideas and curiosity - always drawn more to the little details than the grand gestures. I remember constantly turning over plates and glasses to see where and by whom they were made. That fascination with craftsmanship and the stories objects hold is what ultimately led me to design pieces around table setting. My biggest inspiration would have to be my mother, Eleanor Cardozo. Her strength, grace, and dedication to her passion for art - building an incredible career while raising her family, three children under the age of three - has always amazed me. Because of her, I grew up surrounded by beautiful objects and spaces, and she instilled in me a deep appreciation for exploring and cherishing beauty in everyday life.

📸 Lotty B: Cosima wearing a Leaves print silk sarong by Lotty B

PH: What and where was your first commission/favourite commission? 

CS: My first commission was for a beautiful home overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland, where I curated all the tabletop pieces and accessories. It holds such a special place in my heart - not only because it was my first project, but because I still visit the house whenever I’m in Switzerland and get to see those pieces enjoyed and loved all these years later.

PH: From where do you draw inspiration? 

CS: I find most of my inspiration when I’m traveling and away from the rhythm of everyday life. Paris and Milan during design week are always highlights. There’s such an energy to those cities and an endless array of fascinating objects and ideas on display. I also love traveling alone; some of my best ideas come to me mid-flight, when there are no distractions and my mind has space to wander.

📸 BTS: Cosima at a studio shoot, wearing Passionfruit silk chiffon Ellie kaftan

PH: What is it like being part of such a big family?

CS: I come from a large and deeply creative family. My mother is one of ten children, and six of them are artists, as were both my grandmothers. So creativity is a part of daily life drawing, painting, sculpting, and making things by hand. We were rarely allowed to watch TV and were instead encouraged to create or play the piano. There is never a dull moment when we are all together!

📸 Lotty B: Cosima in the Mustique shallows, wearing a Shell print silk kaftan

PH: How often do you visit Mustique?

CS: We used to visit every year when I was growing up, and now that I live in Los Angeles and have a family of my own, I hope to give my son the same magical experiences I was lucky enough to have on the island.

📸 Lotty B: Cosima wearing a Lotty B silk chiffon sarong in Bicycle print

PH: We’d like to congratulate you on the birth of your beautiful son a couple of years ago. We’re curious to know if motherhood has had an impact on your designs and how you manage to juggle everything?

CS: Motherhood has definitely influenced my work. With my time now more limited, I’ve become far more intentional and focused when I’m on a project - I’ve learned not to waste a single moment and to make every decision count.

📸 Lotty B: BTS with Cosima at Gelliceaux Beach with photographer Kate Martin, wearing a silk chiffon "Ellie" kaftan, Ray print by Lotty B

PH: What’s your favourite PH and PHM piece?

CS: It’s impossible to choose! I’ve been collecting PHM since I was a child, and the pieces are almost the only things I take with me on a beach holiday. I especially love the Cosima & Ellie kaftans (named after my mother and I) in chiffon. They’re effortless to wear, beautifully colorful and detailed, and take up almost no room in my luggage, leaving plenty of space for shopping! For the homeware collection, I adore the new Sage Green Palms fine bone china. I can’t wait to host with it in LA - it’s the perfect harmony of color, design, and exceptional quality. Clever Lotty!

PH: Finally, is there something in the pipeline that you can tell us about?

CS: I’ve just launched my online store, Cosima (www.shopcosima.com), where I’ll be releasing limited drops of designs created in collaboration with master craftsmen from around the world. My first drop is my ‘Wave’ glass, mouth-blown in Murano, with an organic and sensual movement to its form. I’ve been using these glasses in my own home and including them in my projects for the past couple of years, and after many friends kept asking to buy them, I decided it was time to make them available online!

We are very grateful to Cosima for taking the time out of her very busy schedule to take part in this interview! We loved her interesting story and are very excited to see how she is using the Pink House Home Palms dinner service in her tablescaping.