Designer makes a splash in the swimwear industry
The Saltwater Collective’s Camilla James dives deep with style, eco-measures
Still searching for the perfect swimsuit this summer season? You may want to check out Canadian brand The Saltwater Collective.
Featuring stylish suits largely in monochromatic shades, the range is built on the idea that everybody — and therefore every body — deserves to find the perfect swimsuit.
Camilla James, the Torontobased brand’s founder and designer, chatted about what makes her company different and why sustainability in swimwear matters.
QWhat is The Saltwater Collective?
AThe Saltwater Collective is a sustainable women’s swimwear brand made in Canada and designed with real female figures in mind. We believe that beauty comes from confidence, and encouraging women to embrace what makes them unique is at the core of our brand.
QWho is your target customer?
AOur customers are mostly young women between the ages of 18 and 35, but we encourage everybody to get involved and try our swimwear.
QWhat makes it different from other swimwear brands?
AOur commitment to sustainability, along with the fact that all of our garments are locally produced in Toronto, definitely differentiates us from other brands. We are also determined to create a positive experience out of swimwear shopping — which can sometimes be very daunting — by encouraging our female customers to embrace what makes them unique. The way women feel about their bodies really matters to us, and our brand language is focused on encouraging customers to feel strong and confident, and to associate our swimwear with that feeling.
QWhat more can you share about the “ocean-friendly fabric” used in the line?
AThe fabrics we use are woven from Econyl yarn, regenerated from pre- and post-consumer nylon waste that would otherwise be abandoned in nature or dumped in landfills. The waste recovery happens via various projects set up around the world, including Healthy Seas, an organization in which volunteer divers recover abandoned nets; and Net-Works, which incentivizes communities in the Philippines and Cameroon to recover and sell old nets. This also has a positive impact on their local fishing industries by reducing nylon pollution.
The Econyl regeneration system is also advantageous from a climate change perspective. Raw materials are preserved in the process, which reduces the impact of nylon production on global warming by up to 80 per cent compared to materials made from oil. Needless to say, we are excited and very proud to be a part of a movement toward more sustainable fashion practices and products.
QYou feature models boasting beautifully diverse shapes and sizes — something that’s not often seen in swimwear ads. Why is this body inclusivity important to you?
AWhen developing our visual esthetic, it was a no-brainer to include as many representations of women as possible. Our goal is to celebrate real female figures and proudly convey the many shapes, sizes and shades that our bodies come in, rather than conceal our differences — as is so often seen in mainstream media. As a brand with a growing platform, it is essential for us to communicate to our audience that everyone matters and everyone is relevant.
QWhat is the price range for The Saltwater Collective swimsuits?
AOur swimsuits retail at $140 to $165 for a full swimsuit (full bikini or one-piece), but we sell our tops and bottoms separately so customers can mix and match colours, styles and sizing. Our individual pieces start at $65.
QWhere can people check them out?
AYou can shop our full collection at our online store at thesaltwatercollective.com.
QLastly, what are your ambitions for the brand?
AI want The Saltwater Collective to be the go-to swimwear label in Canada — and beyond — for women. When someone is thinking about where to buy their next swimsuit, I want us to be the first brand that pops into their head. I also want The Saltwater Collective to be known for standing behind its convictions and values.