You might not imagine sexy, sophisticated swimwear having family roots in the Old World, but that’s the case with Katya Leoncio’s My Dolcessa line. When she was growing up in her native Bulgaria, her two grandmothers taught her to sew and knit. Her parents helped too — with a gift of two giant professional sewing machines. It wasn't long before Leoncio’s creations were catching the eye of the style-savvy

“I was making my own outfits, and people around me were asking where they could buy my designs,” she says. “That’s when I was inspired to turn my hobby into a career.” After a lot of classes — and a lot of sewing — she released her first collection in 2008.

Today, her increasingly popular luxury swimwear line (mydolcessa.com) is a bit more at home at its headquarters in Las Vegas, where Leoncio is hoping to capitalize on the city’s nightlife, glamorous image and world-class shopping that attracts globe-trotting fashionistas. Her angle: making lounging by the pool as stylish an affair as painting the town.

How? Leoncio says she designs to accentuate a lady’s best assets, with push-up or padded tops, ruched bottoms and close-fitting fabrics. Her swimwear aims to be elaborate and intricate, but functional and versatile.

“Our designs can change the way you see your body by hugging it in the right places and covering just the right amount of skin,” she says.

She must be doing something right: In 2010, her designs were featured Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition. 2013 will be her third year in the magazine. Her next move will no doubt make a splash as well: expanding into beachwear and silk dresses.

New and notable

Your next  meal is Fixt

Busy lifestyles don’t make eating healthy the easiest thing in the world, which is why Michael Buczek and Erik Herbert founded Fixt Health & Wellness. Their mission: to make healthy living simple, convenient and accessible.

Think of Fixt Health & Wellness as a personal chef — blended with the healthy mindset of a personal trainer. Fixt offers 16 fresh, reasonably sized meals to choose from — delivered to your home each day. No unidentifiable sludge or bland microwaveable entrees here. Fixt meals are created by a team of five-star chefs, registered dietitians and fitness experts. Before they start serving, though, they’ll figure out your dietary needs and fitness goals, and craft a custom menu to match. Three-meal plans start at $45 a day. Among the menu items: blueberry crepes with fresh berry compote, butternut squash ravioli and goat cheese fritter ratatouille. 900-8790, fixtfood.com