In the vibrant world of swimwear fashion, few individuals stand out in our Paradise Coast as prominently as Julia Grace. Julia is a dynamic force in both fashion and community service. Hailing originally from Kyiv, Ukraine and having relocated to the US in 2015, Julia is now rooted in Naples and combines coastal charm with fashion-forward energy. Since then, she has made significant strides in the fashion industry where she founded and owns Julia Grace Couture and currently serves as the Regional Sales Director – Florida (Swimwear/Fashion) for Smart Swimsuits, which was named the World’s Most Innovative & Sustainable Swimwear Brand of 2023/2024.
Diverse Professional and International Experience
Her professional journey has been anything but linear, beginning her career with academic foundations in both fashion and law, and cultivating it with a unique blend of creative vision and business acumen. By blending her legal and fashion education, she excels at contract negotiation, sales strategy, brand development, and intellectual property—essential tools for success in both couture and swimwear commerce.
With extensive experience as an international fashion director too, Julia has launched multiple couture collections that have graced the runways of prestigious cities like Dubai, New York, Milan, Paris, Miami, and more. Her designs are renowned for their storytelling, elegance, and empowering presence, leaving a lasting impression on the world’s most esteemed fashion stages.
As Regional Sales Director for Florida at Smart Swimsuits, Julia takes charge of a key market filled with high-end resorts, fashion-forward buyers, and vibrant retail opportunities. Her title reflects the trust placed in her to champion the brand across the Sunshine State: developing strategies, spearheading sales initiatives, training teams, and forging connections with boutiques, showrooms, and events.
Her presence isn’t just limited to boardrooms and buyer meetings at Smart Swimsuits. Most recently, Julia showcased Smart Swimsuits Kids’ 2025 collection at the Florida Fashion Shows Kids Runway—an event that drew attention from families and industry insiders alike. Presenting a children’s swimwear line demonstrates her versatility: balancing fashion sensibility with practical consumer demand. Beyond aesthetics, the kids’ collection reflects Julia’s understanding of comfort, fit, and quality—key factors for both parents and retailers.
Personal Life and Broader Community Impact
Her professional understanding of children's swimwear is somewhat supported by her personal life. Beyond her professional achievements, Julia’s most cherished title is “Mom” to her daughter Valeria Jacobson. Valeria is an 11-year-old international model with an impressive resume of her own; a multi-pageant winner, and seasoned runway talent, Valeria is following in her mother’s footsteps while confidently charting her own unique path.
Julia's influence extends far beyond fashion and sales too. As a Casting Director with Miss Earth USA and its affiliates, she contributes to empower women through pageantry—a role that reinforces her commitment to confidence, presence, and purposeful influence. This is aligned with The Miss Earth USA pageant emphasizing education and environmental awareness, providing young women with a platform to develop leadership skills and make a positive global impact.
This overlap of roles—from couture creation to strategic sales to pageant casting—speaks to her deep engagement with personal branding, representation, and transformational growth. Her journey—from couture label founder to SmartSwimsuits’ key regional director—embodies a blend of creativity, commerce, and community. She inspires through design, leads through strategy, and uplifts through mentorship.
Watch for Julia’s upcoming collections and runway appearances in Florida’s fashion calendar and her Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/julia_grace_couture. Her story remains a vivid example of how passion and professionalism can create waves—both on the beach and in the boardroom.
Beyond professional achievements, Julia’s most cherished title is “Mom” to her daughter Valeria, an international model with an impressive resume.
To stay updated on Julia Grace’s upcoming collections, exclusive castings, inspiring events, and all the magic that awaits, follow her on Instagram at @julia_grace_couture( (https://www.instagram.com/julia_grace_couture).