Calling All Bikini Lovers!
Our September Picks For Sustainable Swimwear.
Correct us if we’re wrong, but there’s nothing better than finding the perfect swim suit that accentuates allll of your best assets. But, did you know that a vast majority of swimwear is primarily made out of synthetic (plastic) fibers like nylon, spandex, and polyester? And while they meet the mark on being inexpensive, stretchy and versatile – they do come with the biggest price tag, our planet. We hate to hear it, but many of our favorite swimsuits and activewear pieces are made out of material that – more often than not – is not biodegradable. These materials often break down wash after wash and end up in our landfills and oceans in the form of microplastics. Microplastics are broken down plastic waste, beads, and synthetic fibers that are proving to be a more pervasive issue than we thought possible. So, what do we do? How do we find bikinis that hug all the right places without harming the planet?
To our avail, the industry has started to become more aware of its impact -- and while there is still a long ways to go, progress is being made. Now more than ever, there are more brands adopting the idea of making ethical and sustainable swim that not only looks amazing, but feels amazing too. With the help of new technology and fabrics such as Econyl, a regenerated and recyclable nylon fabric made from waste and fishing nets, we can move closer towards a more sustainable and circular economy. And if you decide that you truly need a new bikini – we’ve curated a selection of conscious brands who are transforming the swimwear industry with their sustainably made swimsuits!
Photographer: Kiana Kanoa
Model: Tanner Bonnell
GALAMAAR - Through the use of eccentric colors and delicate designs, Galamaar has reinvented the term “timeless”. Designer and founder, Blakely Wickstrom is a California native and long-time Brooklyn resident who has gifted us with a sustainable, modern and clean take on our favorite vintage swim looks. Her latest collection of flattering pieces give us a seamless combination of west and east coast vibes that are sure to make you stand out in the best way possible.
MESSAGE FROM THE DESIGNER: Galamaar Swimwear is cut from Italian fabric that is 78% recycled nylon sourced from discarded nets pulled directly from the ocean. I love that our fabric not only offers waste-to-wear properties, but also takes something so harmful straight from the environment it’s intended for and gives it a beautiful new life. The other 22% is made from Lycra Xtra Life, a brand of spandex developed for its superior shape retention and durability. Combine that with our quality construction and timeless design and you’ve got one long-lasting suit.
Photographer: Kiana Kanoa
Model: Anela Gold
LŌLIʻI SWIMWEAR - Lōliʻi Swimwear is a collection of hand-made swimwear designed and constructed in Hawaii for women of all shapes and sizes. They create swimwear that aims to promote self-love, self-confidence, and female empowerment through the use of out-of-the-box pieces made in small batches. Owner, Designer and Native Hawaiian Remy Hirai began designing her own swimwear when she needed something that would be flattering and functional. “Nothing at the time seemed to fit my body and there weren’t any companies that catered to and represented my body type/ethnicity/size. I’m completely self-taught and have been running this business on my own since 2010.”
MESSAGE FROM THE DESIGNER: My Ready To Wear pieces are produced in very small, limited quantity batches in an effort to reduce waste and make every piece unique. I use every little scrap of fabric and spool of thread. I also use mailing and packaging materials that are made of 100% post consumer content/waste and are 100% recyclable. Fashion does not have to come at the cost of humanity and our environment. As a Native Hawaiian, my culture has always played a huge role in my life. It’s shaped me into the person I am today as well as this business that I’ve created. I’m so very fortunate to have grown up in Hawaiʻi and to have been raised in a household that always encouraged me to strive for the top and to be proud of who I am. I’m so proud to be Hawaiian and will always use my platform and my business to speak out for my people, represent my people, and help educate others about our culture and history.
22 PARADISE – Based in the Netherlands, 22Paradise is a luxury swimwear brand which offers the best simplicity has to offer. With ethereal and sharp designs, founder, Sayen Nijman has created effortlessly beautiful pieces inspired by her love for the beach and passion for sustainability.
MESSAGE FROM THE DESIGNER: 22 Paradise’s pieces are made of recycled plastic from the oceans and landfills. But we also think about the packaging (recycled plastic), hangtags (bamboo paper and soy inks), and other accessories. I am not claiming that we are 100% sustainable because that’s just not possible but we do try to implement sustainability in every part of our production process. It is a big part of our brand DNA. I get a lot of inspiration in nature and the different kinds of landscapes the world has to offer. There are places that can amaze me and can truly feel like magic. The ocean is always a place that makes me feel happy and serene. The sounds of the waves and the water that stretches beyond our eyes can make me feel so insignificant which I like, because it makes me relativizes my life and the pressure I put on myself.
OZERO SWIM - One of our favorites on the list is Ozero Swimwear, inspired by easy going life in the tropics -- Ozero swim is an up and coming sustainable swimwear brand that uses dazzling bold prints and rich colors to create effortlessly cool pieces for the modern woman. Born and Raised in Russia, designer and founder Elena Cheurina emphasizes that each piece is made with the use of regenerated Nylon from pre and post-consumer materials.
MESSAGE FROM THE DESIGNER: I am trying to devote my collections to certain themes every time, so there is a story behind every collection. The first collection was devoted to modern art and illustration. That’s why the colors are bright and there are some graphic elements to pieces. The inspiration behind the lookbook for that collection were the illustrations by famous Russian illustrator Vladimir Lebedev for the book “The Circus and Other Stories” written by Samuil Marshak. My new collection I devoted to Russian summer. I was born and raised in Russia, that’s why after living in tropical summer for almost 10 years I really miss subtle Russian summer with it’s beautiful awakening of nature. The colors for this collection are more muted and earthy. The lookbook was shot in the village 4-hours drive from Moscow, where nature is still intact and you cannot hear any sounds of civilization.
Photographer: Samantha Feyen
Model: Remi Bennett
SIE SWIM - Inspired by the notion of becoming our best selves, SIE Swim was made for the bikini-obsessed beach girl who loves the planet and making a statement with minimal yet unconventional pieces. Designed in Hawaii and made in LA, designer and founder Chelsie Kadota emphasized that her brand is focused giving girls timeless bikinis that can last a lifetime.
MESSAGE FROM THE DESIGNER: The fashion industry is the number two most wasteful industry, so I want to try to do everything in my power to decrease my contribution to that. I can proudly say that I have been working to source new materials and different avenues of doing things to help the cause. Of course, choosing to produce locally in LA is a huge deal, dramatically lessons our transmission footprint. But on top of that, we have found a new fabric that is made of recycled water bottles which we are going to start incorporating next season!
SUNDAZE BIKINIS - Sundaze Bikinis are made in Hawaii with an active and passionate lifestyle in mind. Founded in 2016, designer Taylor emphasizes that their bikins are made using recycled fabric made from abandoned fishnets that have been pulled from the ocean. From the paper we use to their hang tags to their shipping bags, everything is recycled. Oh, and did we mention that most of their bikinis are made in house and the fabric scraps are used to make one-of-a-kind pieces that you can only get at their our pop-up shops!
MESSAGE FROM THE DESIGNER: I was a competitive swimmer for 16 years and that definitely inspires the sporty styles as well as the minimal coverage in the bottoms. It is important for me to create styles that feel supportive, but also comfortable enough to wear all day because I grew up wearing swimsuits all day. Living in Hawaii has helped inspire the sustainability aspect as well. Here in Hawaii we see first hand how plastic can destroy nature in these beautiful islands. You can’t go to a beach anymore without seeing microplastics in the sand or go diving in the ocean without seeing plastic bags floating by. It’s heartbreaking and the plastic pollution is only going to get worse if we all don’t start making a change in our personal lives but also demanding a change world wide.
Photographer: Kiana Kanoa
Model: Anela Bech