A seashell story brought to life on fins
For artist Daniella Manini, the ocean has always been home. Born and raised in Lima — the only oceanfront capital in South America — her earliest memories are of being in the water. She started swimming at the age of three, spending countless hours in the sea with her mom. Even before she ever picked up a surfboard, the ocean was where she found calm, grounding, and connection. That bond never left her, and today it continues to guide her life and her art from her home near the California coast.
Seashells have always been a part of that story. As a child, Daniella collected shells and built a little shrine in her bedroom, captivated by their colors, textures, and the faint echo of the ocean hidden inside. For her, shells are more than beautiful objects — they carry a sense of nostalgia, wonder, and belonging. They are a reminder that no matter where she is in the world, she is connected to the sea and to a wider community of ocean lovers who find joy in collecting them.
The design for this collaboration started in the pages of a sketchbook. Originally drawn in colored pencils and crayons for an art show, the sketch sat tucked away until Daniella rediscovered it while flipping through old work. With fresh eyes, she transformed it into a repeating pattern, and the seashell motif immediately felt alive, playful, and full of the same joy she feels when combing the shore.
Bringing that pattern onto fins felt natural. For Daniella, it’s a way of carrying her love for shells into the lineup — adding not just beauty to a board, but also a sense of personal energy and story. “Holding my love for shells on my board brings me joy while paddling out,” she explains. “It makes my board cuter and adds a sense of personalized energy — for all of us shell lovers.”
Partnering with Mid Fin Co. felt aligned from the start. Daniella was drawn to the brand’s mellow nature and deep connection to the sea, and together, the collaboration became a way to merge her art with surfing culture in a functional, meaningful form.
This collection is more than just fins — it’s an invitation to bring a little seashell magic with you into the waves. To celebrate the ocean, to connect with its beauty, and to carry a piece of Daniella’s story wherever you surf.
The Daniella Manini x Mid Fin Co collection. A small piece of art and love — riding the waves with you.
