Aussies are quite the experts when it comes to swimwear: just ask Peta Heinsen and Ilona Hamer, co-founders of Matteau
WORDS BY ALEXANDRA RHODES
It seems logical that the best swimwear starts at the beach. In the case of Peta Heinsen and Ilona Hamer, co-founders of Matteau, it’s their childhood home: Sydney’s Bondi beach. The sisters describe their line of simple, comfortable and uncomplicated styles as ‘[the ones] you reach for to feel confident and at ease by the water.’ Intrigued? Get better acquainted here…
Describe your label’s aesthetic in 3 words…
‘Simple, comfortable, tasteful.’
Why did you decide to design swimwear?
‘The very simple answer is that we couldn’t find swimwear that we wanted to wear. It was near impossible to find pared-back, understated swimwear from a brand that we saw ourselves in.’
What are your tips for feeling more confident in a swimsuit?
‘Regular exercise and a clean, healthy diet are of course the obvious answers. But sometimes this is easier said than done. Feeling confident is more about understanding your body and what makes you feel good.’
How do you suggest keeping your swimwear in tip-top condition?
‘We recommend a light hand wash for your suit after a day in the water to prolong its life span. If you don’t have a mild soap on hand, shampoo is great at taking out traces of salt water, chlorine and sunscreen, and freshening up your suit for the next swim.’
If you could own only one piece from your upcoming collection on Farfetch, what would it be?
Ilona: ‘I have been living in our Petite Triangle Top and Petite Brief in our new Blossom print every day at the beach. The print has a nostalgic feel without being too “pretty”.’
Peta: ‘After 3 kids and not much time to exercise, I have plenty of days where I’m just not feeling up to a bikini. With the Square Maillot, I can drop my straps down and play with the kids without worrying about tan lines, but while still feeling stylish.’
Who do you follow on Instagram and why?
‘We love archival image accounts like
They curate such a gorgeous selection of images from magazines from the seventies, eighties and nineties with forgotten editorials, campaigns and style moments.’
Can you give us a hint on your next exciting project?
‘We are working on the constant evolution of the Matteau world and everything it encompasses. Integrity and slow growth is really our focus, so watch this space…’
And finally, the wildcard question… What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten?
Ilona: ‘I’m a vegetarian, so thankfully there isn’t anything too strange I can get into.’
Peta: ‘Crocodile!’
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