Being Brazilian is more than just genetics for Brazil native Andreia Cardoso, a designer and co-owner of swimwear brand Corpo Bonito. It's a lifestyle, a mindset and a business model for the Brazilian sports and swimwear company, whose mission is to help women embrace their curves and diverse body types and feel more comfortable about themselves at the beach.

As a child, Cardoso was fascinated with design and the beauty of the female form. She spent hours playing with Barbie dolls, designing and cutting material to create matching bathing suits, hats and sandals.

"In South America ... being an artist, you have a vision, being a designer was not a career back then. You become a doctor, lawyer ... In my traditional family that was the way I was brought up," Cardoso told Latin Post. "My mother said, 'I know you love to play with your dolls and cut material, but you're going to be somebody as an adult."

At the age of 12, Cardoso did receive recognition for designing bathing suits, and she started winning contests for her bikini designs at age 16. But her family's words of advice took precedence. She put her true passion on the back burner and continued onto medical school for four years.

Before starting the Corpo Bonito brand, Cardoso, who now lives in Florida, worked at the NICU as a respiratory therapist and volunteered as a "Cheer Mom" for her 13 year-old daughter, Luiza.

With a desire to educate American consumers about true Brazilian bikinis and introduce them to authentic Brazilian styles, Cardoso points out that a "Brazilian cut bikini is supposed to lift the butt and flatter the female shape. The Brazilian cut bikini is about elegance and confidence; it's not about being skimpy and trashy — 'dental floss' thongs are not Brazilian!'"

American Cut vs. the Brazilian Cut

While American women have a reputation for being highly critical of themselves and insecure about their bodies (whereas Brazilians are "very conscientious of their look") Cardoso points out that there has actually been an increase in American women gravitating towards the Brazilian cut.

"Lately, I am not sure if it has to do with the Internet, but Americans today are buying Brazilian cut, they are becoming more comfortable with the Brazilian cut. I am not seeing that wall," she said.

"To get technical ... American cuts have 2 1/2 inches more coverage on the back ... like low-rise hipsters. Brazilian cut is higher up, not much of the lower hips," she added. However, in Brazil, Cardoso points out that young girls also use the low-rise hipster, so there is a mix, but overall more people are going towards a smaller cut.

Plastic Surgery Trends in Brazil

Although plastic surgery is common in parts of South America, Cardoso says: "Me personally, I love being natural and embracing what God gave you," she said. "It can be dangerous ... from Botox to Brazilian butts and liposuction — they start to be obsessed."

Instead, Cardoso says every body is beautiful, hence the name of her company Corpo Bonito (Beautiful Body).

Cardoso's Spring/Summer 2014 collection is inspired by her trip to the historical Brazilian city of Buzios, which she calls "the most representative of Brazilian culture, full of different kinds of people and music. One of the biggest petroleum bases in Brazil is near Buzios, hence why there's a lot of 'petroleum blue' in the 2014 line. All of the 2014 swimsuits are named after popular genres of Brazilian music: for example, all of the SS/14 bottoms are named after popular Bossa Nova songs. The 2013 Caribbean collection is named after different beaches in Brazil."

Vibrancy and movement are common themes in Cardoso's collections. Last year's collection was inspired by the "rhythm and colors of Carnival" with bright pinks and greens.

"The exotic beaches of Rio like Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon and Leme among others; inspired me to create last year's collection," according to Cardoso. "This year, it was a beautiful paradise north of Rio de Janeiro called 'Armacao dos Buzios' or simply 'Buzios.' This worldwide tourist destination with its combination of breathtaking views, soothing tropical climate, and colors opened up my imagination."

"Walking through its famous Rua das Pedras or 'Stone Street' you get exposed to all the wonders this small town has to offer. Its people, the music, the petroleum blue from the ocean and the orange color of the corals were just the perfect place to develop my collection. It was truly an exhilarating experience that gave me the inspiration for the 2014 collection."

When people call her and say 'Can I talk to the designer of Corpo Bonito?' Cardoso said, "I feel so proud, this is something that I have wanted to do since I was six years old. I love what I do."