Go with the flow
Swimsuits from the sea
For former East Londoner Rosanne Clark, designing a range of swimwear made from recycled fishing nets was a natural progression from growing up on the beach and spending years working on super yachts.
Clark, 26, launched her elegant bikinis and one-pieces at a pop-up shop in Cape Town’s First Thursdays event on Thursday night.
First Thursdays is a vibey monthly inner-city event celebrating the Mother city’s art galleries, restaurants and shops which stay open into the night.
“This brand is the result of my passion for three things: summer, swimwear and sustainability,” said the Stellenbosch University marketing graduate who matriculated at Clarendon High School and followed up her university studies with a postgraduate year of fashion design at the Elizabeth Galloway Design School.
Adventurous years of working aboard super yachts followed.
“After sailing around the world and chasing the summer season from coast to coast on sail boats I wanted to create a brand that combines confidence and conservation.
“The inspiration came from the beaches of Mallorca, the surf culture in Sri Lanka and the bohemian luxe style that originated from Indonesia,” said Clark, who co-owns the January & June brand with Durban photographer Werner Stoltz, a friend from her super yacht days.
Together the duo saw the impact pollution had wrought on the world’s oceans and marine life.
Sustainabilty and the protection of natural resources is important to this beach lover. “Every bit [we do] helps.” Launched online a month ago, the eco swimwear collection was produced in Bali using Italian “econyl” which was manufactured from recycled fishing nets and other plastic.
“This swimwear line is just a tiny contribution to show that the textile industry does have an opportunity to use materials that turn waste into wear,” explained Clark.
While international beaches informed her design aesthetic of sleek, elegant beachwear, her earliest foray into bikini-making began in East London where a teenage Clark ran up bikinis at after-school sewing classes.
“From a young age I loved the idea of designing my own clothing and being able to make pieces that fit you perfectly and were custom-made designs.
“I grew up with my toes in the sand and have a huge love for the sun and the sea.
“From surfing to morning beach runs, the beach was always my happy place.
“My aesthetic now is to make women feel bold, confident and above all, beautiful.
“There is nothing more endearing to me than someone who is happy and comfortable in their own skin.
“We want to create swimwear to make women feel just like that.”
Because she knows women’s bodies do not always conform to set sizes, Clark sells her bikini bottoms and tops separately so customers can mix and match the pieces which come in classic black, white, army green and honey yellow.
And because she has tapped into the important global trend of body positivity, she aims to expand her next collection to suit all body types.
“I think it is so important, especially in an age of social media to be able to support a healthy body image and not unrealistic beauty standards.”
She named her business January & June after the summer seasons in South Africa and Europe.
“It’s the idea that it’s always summer somewhere in the world,” said the sun-chaser who is thrilled that her best friend from Clarendon days, international model Gabrielle Pollock, has done a shoot featuring her label.
Her first collection was manufactured in Bali, but Clark plans to support local now that she is back in South Africa.
“I cannot wait to work within the local community to produce our product,” said Clark.
• The January & June swimsuits are available online by visiting www.januaryandjuneswim.com