WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
Summer is on the horizon, which means we're looking forward to the smell of SPF, the taste of tropical flavours, the sound of waves crashing onto the shore and the feeling of sand between our toes. But, most of all, we’re anticipating striking a pose in our new beachwear, while our loved ones reluctantly take ‘candid’ snaps of us for the ’gram. Vain, we know – but, at least we own it.
This year, we plan to level-up by selecting as many ethically made pieces as possible for our summer vacay wardrobe. From Hunza G to Bondi Born, discover the best sustainable beachwear brands below – so that you too can escape to the sea with a crystal-clear conscience.
Peony
There are so many things to like about Peony: each piece is handmade in Queensland, Australia, using recycled and sustainable fabrics; the prints and colours are timeless; and all garms are designed to be mixed and matched with the rest of the season.
Named after the flower that signals the start of summer, this bohemian brand is a breath of fresh air led by former lawyer Becky Morton. Each season, Morton uses classic patterns and silhouettes – from polka dots to gingham prints – to create luxurious takes on timeless beachwear. Anyone searching for simplicity in a sea of trend-led fashion will be besotted with the brand and its collection of bikinis, blouses, bodysuits, dresses and trousers. Essentially, it’s the most elegant – and ethical – holiday capsule collection.
Hunza G
Remember that white-and-blue cutout dress worn by Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman? You know, the one with the ring detail. Well, it was made by a fashion label named Hunza: an ’80s/’90s brand founded by Peter Meadows.
In 2015, a young designer named Georgiana Huddart helped Meadows re-establish his London-based label; and to mark the new beginning, she added her first initial to form Hunza G. Now, the hard-working duo run an industry-leading, British-produced beachwear brand that’s hot on sustainability and shows no signs of slowing down.
Frankies Bikinis
Intrinsically West Coast, Frankies Bikinis is a luxe swimwear brand inspired by the beaches of Malibu and produced in the City of Angels (LA). Unsurprisingly, it’s created by California cool girl, Francesca Aiello.
The 11-year-old beachwear brand – designed to suit every woman – has been worn by the likes of Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Bella Hadid and Jennifer Lopez. Look out for their sustainable pieces created with Amni Soul Eco®: an enhanced polyamide fabric that decomposes when discarded and left in landfills.
Matteau
Aussie sisters Peta Heinsen and Ilona Hamer are committed to creating sustainable swimwear that’ll make even the shyest beach-goer feel confident. Their brand, Matteau, offers elegant maxi skirts and dresses, drawstring trousers, swimsuits and more, all of which are ethically sourced and made to last.
One of our favourite pieces from the brand’s positively conscious new-season collection is the super-chic, semi-sheer maxi dress pictured above, made from 100% silk. The toffee-caramel hue is delicious.
Jade Swim
If you’re in the market for unfussy, foolproof swimwear that will take you from the beach to wherever you want to go, Brittany Kozerski is your woman. The fashion editor-cum-designer has been creating minimalist pieces for celebrities and civilians alike since 2016, and her new collection of bikinis and bodysuits is tipped as her best yet.
Fortunately, for your purse and your conscience, each piece is created with responsibly sourced materials – all of which are either organic, regenerated or recycled – and is very well priced. So, what are you waiting for? Go and browse the soft shades of the SS21 collection right now!
Bondi Born
We're convinced that Bondi Born can do no wrong. The Australian sustainable beachwear brand – run by a predominantly female team – makes every piece by hand in Sydney. They donate 1% of their revenue to non-profit organisations concerned with the future of our planet. Plus, they’ve invented three next-gen materials – all made in Italy – that are as flattering as they are sustainable. Need more proof? We didn’t think so.
Sartorially speaking, Bondi Born eschews fad trends and focuses on block colours; in doing so, each collection is completely timeless. As you can probably tell, we’re huge fans.
Sian Swimwear
Some say that the best way to start a fashion label is to immerse yourself in the industry and look for gaps in the market; which is precisely what Sian Jones, founder of Sian Swimwear did during the 2010s.
Once a PR executive for brands including Dior and Giuseppe Zanotti, Jones – a Copenhagen-born Londoner – found herself increasingly disappointed in the swimwear offerings available. Thus, she set out to design a Scandinavian-inspired line using sustainable fabric – and Sian Swimwear was born. Since, the brand’s Econyl regenerated nylon pieces have been popular with women of all shapes and ages, and it’s easy to see why.
Lemlem
After a life-changing trip to Ethiopia, supermodel Liya Kebede decided to launch a clothing label that partnered with skilled artisans across Africa – inspired by a group of out-of-work cotton weavers she met while there – to produce pieces backed by bonafide craftsmanship. Today, Lemlem is recognised as a brand that truly epitomises ethical fashion.
From the bikinis to the mini dresses, each Lemlem piece is produced using sustainable and ethically sourced materials. One of the new-season looks we’ve got our eye on is the Teref stripe-detailing kaftan dress – it radiates pure happiness.
Fantabody
Fantabody uses 100% recycled ocean plastics to create eco swimwear that looks and feels incredible. The Milan-based label is uniquely inspired by sultry late-20th century style and modern-day sportswear – two influences that merge to create its sexy, experimental identity.
Founder Carolina Amoretti – a photographer from Liguria, Italy – started the brand in order to celebrate the female form and pay her respects to nature. Plus, she wanted to revive the aesthetic of ’80s Italian youth culture. It's safe to say she’s beautifully and successfully achieved these goals.