Bodies change. Any parent is reminded of this every day, witnessing their children grow at a rapid pace. And yet, along the way to adulthood, we become more aware of our body and other bodies, compared to our own. Once you understand your body can change and morph through lifestyle and dietary choices, your relationship with your body becomes more nuanced.
Through fearful memories of my body widening in adolescence to pride in my height and gratitude for my long legs, nothing made me more body-aware than how my body changed after having children.
“I always say: your body is your story, it deserves to be celebrated, not hidden,” mother and Colombian designer Maygel Coronel offers me. “Your body has carried you through life’s chapters, it’s evolved, and that evolution is beautiful. There’s elegance in every curve, every line, every change.”
Maygel opened her first American store at The Post, Montecito’s newest shopping and culinary destination. Her designs aren’t breezy California clothes—they’re body-conscious. They’re bold, yet feminine. Elegant, yet sensual. They’re created using OEKO-TEX certified Lycra with muscle memory designed to complement curves, not constrict, through inclusive sizing: One Size, Petite, and Extended.
“Our designs are meant to embrace and enhance your natural shape, offering support and confidence,” says Maygel.
Maygel comes from the Caribbean to California with a fresh aesthetic and perspective. She grew up in the seaside town of Cartagena, where, like carefree hours spent at the beach, swimwear and daywear meld together. She watched her mother sew clothes and began making her own at a young age. After meeting Lucio, her husband and now business partner, she moved to Italy, where she studied fashion in Naples.
With her seaside spirit guiding her, Maygel began creating swimwear in 2017, when she sought sophisticated suits that could be worn from the beach into town. Her business expanded into separates inspired by swimwear, from elegant gowns to versatile bodysuits. Maygel’s home store in Cartagena is “a minimal, contemporary sanctuary within a city full of vibrant colors and energy,” says Maygel.
There’s a likeness between Cartagena and Montecito, which is what drew Maygel to open her second store here. “We saw an opportunity to create something intimate and intentional, a space where clients can fully experience the essence of our brand.”
Entering the store, colorful racks of clothes hang among wooden furniture and modern art. Eclectic jewelry and homewares find balance between organic and defined tones. Her store is a coastal respite, a breath of salt air. Slip into one of Maygel’s designs, and see yourself differently in the mirror. You have permission to be every inch of you. It clicks. Maygel wants you to feel like a woman; the woman you were, the woman you are, the woman you want to be.
Maygel brings that nurturing energy to every touchpoint of her business, from sustainability to sourcing. “Our entire production is in-house in Colombia, allowing us to ensure quality and care in every piece we create,” she says. “We’re proud to provide meaningful employment, with fair wages and a supportive environment. The majority of our team is comprised of women, and we strive to create opportunities for them to grow and thrive. Our community is at the heart of everything we do.”
Maygel credits balancing work and home life to her close-knit family. “I’m grateful that my office is close to home, so my family is often part of my day—my daughter visits the atelier, my mom stops by, and my husband, Lucio, is my business partner. When we need to reset, we travel to Italy. Italy feels like a second home. Being there fills me with creativity and calm.”
Creativity and calm are something many of us seek, and yet, clothing can create the opposite. Maygel tries to remedy that. “For women who feel self-conscious, start with a piece that feels like a second skin, soft and sculpting.” And for busy moms who keep reaching for the same things, she recommends, “minimal one-pieces like the Guayacán or Agapi—effortless, elegant, and designed for practicality. They’re versatile enough to take you from beach to brunch.”
And there’s more beauty in the details. Decorative ruffles, hand-twisted rosettes, ruching, Maygel celebrates femininity in all its forms. “I tell my daughter that femininity lives in strength and softness, in grace and boldness. It’s about feeling confident in your skin, loving your body at every stage, and nurturing your dreams and your heart.”
maygelcoronel.com