Australia has 34,218 kilometers of coastline, and more than 60% of us live on the coast, or in surrounding cities. It is inevitable, then, in our climate that at some stage during our summer we pay a visit to the beach. Which brings up the issue of this season’s swimwear.
The Australian market is infiltrated with swimwear come spring and summer, however, though the threat of international competition is constant, Australian swimwear delivers. We know our climate and how this translates to the wearer’s needs. We are not just on top of fashion trends – we ARE fashion trendsetters, creating unique garments each season that are informed by our culture and style, not that of overseas. And because of this, many of our brands have gone on to considerable international success.
Zimmermann was founded in 1991 by sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann. Their vision encompasses “sophisticated femininity, strong silhouettes, clever colour combinations and delicate original prints.” This vision stands true even to this day, nearly eighteen years on; their Summer Swim Collection 2009/10 ‘Thorn’ is a winner, with stunning colour combinations, vibrant fabrics and beautiful tailoring, including corset details, cut-outs and frills.
The bikini standouts are the ‘Thorn Corset Bikini’, featuring a cropped-corset style bustier in the most beautiful of fabrics, ‘Chelsea Frill Corset Bikini’, a similar longer-style top covered in frills in the most adorable sorbet colours, and the ‘Papillion Cut Out Neck Bikini’ a true structural standout on the beach, featuring a lattice detailed neckline in both a black and patterned rose-toned print.
image from Zimmermann AustraliaMy heart is also divided when it comes to one pieces in the 'Thorn' collection - 'Outlaw Tie Back 1pc' features a retro map print and several ties along the spine. The 'Nightshade Tea Rose Lattice Tank 1pc' is of a modest cut, but of amazing detail - with a beautiful tea rose print in peach and cream on a dark background, and lengthwise cut outs, held together by contrasting tan lattice-like stitching. The 'Venom Acid Lilly Knot 1pc' is surely the standout of the collection, featuring a fairly standard outline till one notices the midriff - the cossie is in two parts, knotted together. The fabric is also outstanding; a white with a lilac lily print. image from Zimmermann Australia
Zimmermann have showrooms in Sydney, Melbourne, London and New York, and are stocked globally.
Jets by Jessika Allen is a ‘premium luxury swimwear brand’. Nearly 30 years young, designer Jessika Allen came on board in 2001, with a design philosophy focusing on glamour, timeless and sophisticated elegance and the desire to make each woman feel beautiful.
The Jets by Jessika Allen 09/10 is indeed focused on glamour – with beautiful fabric and trims, and flattering cuts, it is designed to be worn, as opposed it wearing its owner. The designs take into account a wide range of women; there are many different cuts and shapes on offer, and some designs include bras, padding, additional straps and boning for a perfect fit.
Highlights include ‘Ethereal’, and accurately named one piece in a heavenly floral print with a plunging neck and ruffle detail,
image from Jets Australia
and also the very cute ‘Denim Anthology’, a bikini in a patchwork denim/retro print with very cute denim briefs, and the matching cut-out one piece.
image from Jets Australia
Jets is stocked worldwide in fashion boutiques and department stores, including Selfridges and Harvey Nichols in the UK, and David Jones at home, and also have a men’s range of swimwear.
The brand Tigerlily was founded by Jodhi Meares in 2000, who is inspired by “her feelings on Australian women, and those that Australia’s beautiful beaches evoke in them… health, freedom and fun.” The brand’s vision is more abstract than many other designers, describing itself as “exotic and sexy but grounded”. This ambiguity has well served Meares and Tigerlily – each collection is large, including also clothing and accessories, and features many different prints and colour stories, from the standard, bright little bikini to more vintage inspired one pieces in wonderful fabrics you would not expect from the brand.
The Summer 09/10 collection is once again a large and various one.
image from runwaygirl.com.au
The ‘Agulia’ print, seen here in ‘Agulia Teanie’ bikini, is a bright and tangy pattern, and also comes in a more generous bikini and one piece.
image from runwaygirl.com.au
The ‘Boria One Piece In Cactus Flower’ is a lilac and white striped one piece with a deep neckline and tassel detail. It also comes in a green/white variant.
Tigerlily is stocked nationally, as well as in New Zealand, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
Anna Hewett and Lill Boyd were both members of the Vogue Australia editorial team, when they decided to branch out into swimwear after noticing a lack of ‘inspiration’ on the market, thus creating Anna&Boy. Influenced themselves by “the liberated memories of childhood such as beach house wallpapers, seventies surf films and yellowed photographs that wistfully capture that time”, the design duo’s new collections for both women and men are eagerly awaited each spring. They promise “highest quality Italian fabrics, bold signature prints and unique detailing, coupled with a palette of brilliant and eye catching colours”, and consistently deliver on this promise.
image from anna&boy
Highlights of the Summer 09/10 range are the ‘Underwire Bandeau in Black Peach Pink’, a very cute (and very tiny) bikini with a strong structural colour blocked look, and the ‘U Wire One Piece in Black Peach & Pink’, a one piece sharing the same look and colour way.
image from anna&boy
Anna & Boy are stocked in Australia, and internationally, including NZ, Indonesia, USA, UK, Dubai, Mexico, Mauritius, Maldives, Greece, and Switzerland.
Hotel Bondi Swim are relative newcomers on the scene, first showing at RAFW in April 2008. Its designers are couple Fern Levack and Damion Fuller, who met at the Bondi Hotel 10 years ago and have made this meeting their namesake.
Their design philosophy is a manifesto of sorts, stating “in Bondi bikinis are a way of life”, and that “every print and every bikini that is created by ‘Hotel Bondi Swim’ is made especially to express the personality of this colourful and beautifully Australian backyard.” Their whimsical prints and bikinis have made them a new favourite with beachgoers, and their most recent ‘Peaches & Cream’ collection continues this allegiance.
The ‘Gnomes High Waist Bikini’ is a retro style cut with a navel-height waistline and generous cut briefs. The top is a wide halter neck style. Its selling point, though, by far is the fun and playful print of garden gnomes, mushrooms and plants against a black background.
image from surfstitch.com
In the ‘Patches One Piece’, the print is once again the star, this time a multicolour cubist style with a predominantly pink background. It is a flattering cut, and the sugar-sweet neckline bow and button add an even sweeter touch.
image from surfstitch.com
Hotel Bondi Swim are stocked nationally and in the US.
Finally, an even new notable presence on the scene is that of Seventh Wonderland. Sydney based Bonnie Coumbe & Carlos Aviles started the label “for those who aspire for absolute quality in unique, functional & beautifully constructed swimwear, infused with a distinct look that embodies art, lifestyle & romance.” With a background in textile design, the duo use Italian fabrics and employ techniques such as beading, smocking and pleating.
Their last two collections are structurally stunning, from ‘This Is Me’ a bandeau bikini with a fascinating wide scalloped v-neck:
image from thegrandsocial.com.au
To the elegant and unusual ‘Beau Monde’, a one piece with cut-out detail in a most delectable print.
image from thegrandsocial.com.au
Seventh Wonderland are currently only stocked in Australia.
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