tastemaker series
NICOLE HANRioT
founder of beach riot
Do you remember the moment the idea for Beach Riot first came to you? What sparked the desire to build your own brand?
I came up with the idea for Beach Riot after spending three years in the industry styling, designing, and really paying attention to what women were looking for. I saw a void in the swim market for pieces that weren’t just for the beach, but could be styled and outfitted like ready-to-wear. At the time, swim was mostly sold as sets, and I noticed so many women needed different sizing for tops and bottoms. I wanted to create a brand that embraced bodies, allowed for mix-and-match styling, and brought a fashion forward point of view to swimwear. That was the spark that inspired me to build my own brand.
"When it comes to hosting dinner parties, every gathering has its own theme or personality, but my SFERRA pieces are always the foundation. I use their linens as my base layers and build around them with textures, colors, florals, and seasonal details."
– Nicole Hanriot
Your collections embody confidence and joy. How do you bring those qualities into your everyday life, both as a founder and at home?
As a founder, confidence comes from trusting my instincts and staying connected to my community. I design from vintage inspiration, joy, nostalgia, fun and I try to bring that same spirit into how I lead my team.
At home, joy is in the small moments: my kids running around, music on, dinner with friends, weekends in Napa. I try to create spaces that feel warm and lived in so that confidence isn’t something I “put on” it’s something I live in every day.
Where do you look for inspiration beyond the fashion world—art, travel, architecture, interiors? Are there sources that consistently spark your creativity?
Travel is my biggest inspiration. Every destination has its own color palette and energy. Cabo, Napa, Florence, Palm Springs (Paris is next!!) They all influence different moments in my collections. Vintage fashion inspires me in a huge way too: shapes, textures, unexpected color pairings.
What textures, colors, or small luxuries make your home feel most like you?
Soft, buttery textiles; warm neutrals mixed, stripes; vintage-inspired pieces; and subtle pops of color especially greens, browns, and earthy tones.
Fresh flowers, beautiful linens, plush throws, and candles are my daily luxuries. They make the house feel calm, cozy, and personal. Our home in Napa especially reflects who I am: historic charm layered with approachable, modern comfort.
How do you incorporate pieces like linens, decorative accents, and dinnerware to make your home feel warm and welcoming, especially when you’re hosting?
For me, hosting is all about creating a mood that feels warm, inviting, and effortless. When we have friends up to our home in Napa, I love prepping their rooms with luxurious linens, soft pillows, and fresh flowers by the bedside. Those small touches instantly make guests feel cared for and give the space that calm, elevated feeling we love up there.
When it comes to hosting dinner parties, every gathering has its own theme or personality, but my SFERRA pieces are always the foundation. I use their linens as my base layers and build around them with textures, colors, florals, and seasonal details. I mix and match the same way I design, balanced and intentional.
Good lighting, great music, candles, and a beautifully layered table always set the tone. At the end of the day, it’s those thoughtful little moments whether it’s a perfectly made bed or a table that feels curated with love that make a home feel truly welcoming.
