Thursday, December 5, 2019

New local swimwear brands heating up summer

Summer has well and truly arrived in Western Australia, and we’re all looking for a place to relax and cool off.

One item you’ll need for the season is swimwear, and finding the right piece or pieces to flatter your body and suit your personality is a non-negotiable. Lucky for us, there is a new breed of designers in Western Australia who are getting a lot of attention for their great quality materials, stunning colours and prints, and styles to cater for all shapes and sizes.

We spoke to three swimwear company owner/operators; all young women from Western Australia.

Jess Williamson of Ete Swimwear

Pretty pastels, handsome stripes of blue and white reminiscent of the Greek Islands, bows and delicate frills – this feminine swimwear will make you want to run away to a seaside paradise.

Ete Swimwear by Jess Williamson.

What are some standout Ete pieces?

“All the pieces with blush embroidery are really popular. I love pink, so that’s my favourite too. Also, the Olympia one-piece swimsuit which comes in lilac or black.”

Tell us a little about starting your own business

“I’ve always wanted to work in the fashion industry. I love the beach, summer and travelling, so swimwear was a good fit.

“When I hit 22, I decided to just go for it. I started thinking, ‘how do I manufacture swimwear?’ So I went straight overseas; I contacted over a hundred different factories, and got lots of samples. It took seven months and I launched in February 2016 – I do things fast!”

Have there been any defining moments for you?

“I was invited to New York Fashion Week one week after I launched. It was an Australian showcase with amazing brands that I’ve looked up to for a long time. And being featured in Forbes on the back of that was pretty cool.

“We also did a major collection with Matilda Djerf. She’s a major fashion influencer from Sweden and she came all the way over for the shoot.”

A little extra fact

“We often do white. People worry it might be see-through, but we make sure it’s not. We use three layers of fabric, and really good quality fabric.”

Where to buy

For Australian shoppers, purchase is online only.

Check it out online

Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube

Ambra Fossati of Ambra Maddalena

These pieces have a touch of boho coupled with fresh, sleek lines for the modern woman.

Ambra Maddalena by Ambra Fossati.

What are some standout Ambra Maddalena pieces?

“People really love the Becca set because it’s quite versatile and suits both bigger and smaller busts. And also last season’s Fleur Blanche – that silhouette is my favourite.

“I try to make my swimwear adjustable at lots of different points, so it fits all different shapes and sizes. We’re very body-inclusive and get lots of good feedback about that.”

Tell us a little about starting your own business

“I grew up in Dunsborough and I moved to Milan when I was 20 to study fashion styling. I always loved fashion and beautiful things.

“I started the brand in 2016 and it took two years to get ready to launch because I had to find the right manufacturer and right fabrics. I held this really cool launch party, and I emailed the editors of STM. I’m not afraid to ask or apply. Then Swim and Resorts Series contacted me and asked me to participate before I’d even launched.”

Have there been any defining moments for you?

“Mimi Cuttrell, who is Gigi Hadid’s and Kendall Jenner’s stylist, emailed me for swimwear for Priyanka Chopra’s [Nick Jonas’ now-wife] honeymoon.”

Ambra Maddalena by Ambra Fossati.

A little extra fact

The swimwear is made with 100 per cent recycled ocean plastic.

Where to buy

Online, as well as stores in Australia – including Bathing Beauty in Dunsborough and Isla Samsara in Margaret River – and select locations around the world.

Check it out online

Website, Instagram, Facebook

Meg Charnaud of XCharnaud

Island prints, vintage burgundies, striking black and white, high-waisted electric colours, one shoulder pieces – you name it, there’s something for everyone. But what they have in common, is that they’re all bold.

What are some standout XCharnaud pieces?

“The biggest seller is the Hvar bikini. It’s a signature shape that I’ve altered over four years to get it perfect. It’s a good piece to have and it suits most shapes. That’s my favourite.”

Hvar Bikini by XCharnaud

Tell us a little about starting your own business

“It started when I went backpacking with a friend. We’d be wearing bikinis all day because we didn’t know when we’d go for a swim but they’d be uncomfortable. I just thought it’s a bit unfair that you have to be uncomfortable while you’re trying to relax. I just decided to make some. They’d be fully seamless, no tight elastics, and no scratchy fabrics. I mocked up some designs while I was still on holiday.”

Have there been any defining moments for you?

“The most rewarding thing is seeing and hearing about people feeling good and excited to go to the beach. I get messages from people saying, ‘these made me feel really confident’, or ‘I usually struggled to find things that suit’. That’s when it’s all worthwhile.”