Limestone Student Selected As Swimwear Spokesperson

When Vizcaya releases its new swimwear line, there will be one model with Caitlin Russell’s name on it.

Vizcaya named a bikini in this year’s swimwear collection after the beauty queen from Limestone College. It’s one of the perks Russell earned when she was chosen in December to serve as the Miami company’s national spokesperson and represent the swimwear brand throughout 2016.

Vizcaya Swimwear was created by Lisa Opie and Franz Orban in 2013. The designs are inspired by Lisa’s world travels and handmade with environmental materials sourced from small textile manufacturers.

Russell, 20, is the cover model for the 2016 Vizcaya Swimwear calendar. She received a year’s supply of swimwear and modeling opportunities such as a photo shoot to promote the company’s new swimwear line.

She was invited to the Viscaya Swimwear competition in Miami following a photo spread for Imagine magazine. She was chosen from 20 finalists based on interviews with judges, a photo shoot and walking the runway in a fashion show.

“This was the second time I had ever been in Miami. I was in complete shock when I found out I won. It’s an honor to be their spokesperson,” Russell said. “Vizcaya Swimwear isn’t well known outside the Southeast. One of my roles will be to help promote their brand nationally. This fits in perfectly with my interest in learning more about business and marketing. I am really excited for this amazing journey ahead of me.”

Russell started modeling when she was 14. She spent most of her high school years focused on her schoolwork and pursuing a lifelong interest in dance.

The two interests would intersect with her modeling career after she graduated from Dorman High School. She attended USC-Upstate for a semester before an interest in dance and a desire for a smaller campus environment led her to transfer during her freshman year.

Russell is finishing her sophomore year at Limestone College this spring where she has been a dance team member. She was awarded a McMillan Scholarship to help offset the costs for her dual major in business and marketing.

“I have danced for 15 years. I have several good friends on the Limestone College dance team. I thought it would be a great opportunity to continue dancing in college,” Russell said. “I fell in love with the school. One of the things I like about Limestone are the small classes and the fact that the professors are able to pay more individual attention to their students. You’re just not a number here.”

Russell balances her academics with modeling work and pageant competitions on the weekends. She has done modeling for Atlanta Fashion Week, Miami Model Week, and Crown Magazine.

She was recently named Miss Greenville USA and held the title of Miss Boiling Springs USA in 2015. She competed in the Miss South Carolina Pageant last year.

The Limestone College student has received positive reviews from her friends and college classmates as her modeling career has become higher profile in recent months.

“Everybody has been very supportive,” Russell said.

After she finishes with her final exams, she will spend the summer preparing for pageants and promotional duties for Vizcaya.

She already has a favorite in the new line.

“It’s the Caitlin, of course,” Russell said.

(Article by Scott Powell, The Gaffney Ledger. Published April 22, 2016)