Melissa Papock (BSM ’96) is the founder and CEO of Cabana Life, a sun protective beachwear company.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Melissa Papock (BSM ’96)
As the founder and CEO of stylish swimwear brand Cabana Life, Melissa Papock (BSM ’96) knows that clothing acts as a vital line of defense against summertime sun exposure.
Papock was inspired to launch the sun protective beachwear company in 2005 after overcoming skin cancer.
“When I was 26, I was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma,” said Papock. “It was caught early and was removed. But at that point, I had a huge ‘aha’ moment. My eyes were open to the dangers of the sun in a way they had never been before.”
After performing surgery on her arm to remove the melanoma, Papock’s dermatologist suggested that she start wearing sun protective clothing and provided her with a catalogue of options to browse.
“The options were very medicinal looking, so I started looking into how to make protective clothing using soft, luxurious fabrics,” said Papock, who at the time was working as a merchandising expert for fashion and beauty magazines like Vogue and Vanity Fair.
“That’s where the idea for Cabana Life came from,” she said. “While some companies might produce a few sun protective pieces here and there, the entire purpose of Cabana Life is to provide stylish sun protection.”
Now, Papock’s line, which includes bathing suits, dresses, hats, cover-ups, tunics, shirts and pants, fuses fashion with function. Each piece in Cabana Life’s collections for women, kids and men blocks 98 percent of UVA/UVB rays and features a vibrant print perfect for a beach getaway.
While the swimwear line has become a leading brand at retailers like Everything But Water, it is also sold by resorts and independent boutiques nationwide. Cabana Life products have also developed a celebrity following.
“It’s always fun to wake up and see a photo of Nicole Kidman wearing one of your rash guards,” said Papock, noting that the actress was recently spotted sporting the piece while on vacation.
