THE GO-TO LABELS FOR ALL-YEAR-ROUND POOLSIDE POSING

With the rise of the sunshine-any-time getaway, Kerry Potter reports on the new brands dedicated to all-year-round poolside posing

2018-04-15 - SWIMSUIT, £185

PAOLITA

LABEL LOWDOWN

‘I became obsessed with colourful swimsuits when I was growing up in Athens,’ says Anna Paola Papaconstantinou, 35, who has a Mexican-American mother and a Greek father. After cutting her teeth at McQ and Hussein Chalayan, she founded Paolita in 2010. The label offers mix-and-match bikinis, swimsuits, dresses, jumpsuits and kaftans, all

featuring the label’s trademark vibrant prints, which are also designed by Anna.

WHO WEARS IT Ellie Goulding, Halle Berry and Kourtney Kardashian.

KEY PIECES The Insta-perfect statement swimsuits, which are also cut to flatter the figure, making them ideal for selfies or swimming.

PRICE Swimsuits cost around £180, maxidresses £230. paolita.co.uk

PALOMA BLUE

LABEL LOWDOWN Co-founders Ariana Stein (above left), 27, who has worked for Ralph Lauren, and Charlotte Lewis (above right), 26, Tom Ford’s former PA, met in Ibiza, where they bonded over their love of vintage kaftans and the boho lifestyle. Spotting a gap in the market for retro-glam beachwear, they launched Paloma Blue in 2014, specialising in digitally printed silk dresses, shorts, jumpsuits and camis, and plan to add a childrenswear range. WHO WEARS IT Kendall Jenner, Millie Mackintosh and various Victoria’s Secret models. KEY PIECE The silk trousers that work on holiday with a T-shirt or at home with a jumper and trainers. PRICE From £110 for a pair of shorts. paloma-blue.com

PRISM LABEL LOWDOWN

Former model and style editor Anna Laub, 40, launched her eyewear line in 2009 (first glasses, then sunglasses) before broadening out to swimwear, cover-ups and beachwear in 2012. She won Emerging Accessory Designer at the British Fashion Awards in 2014.

WHO WEARS IT Women aged from 20 to 70 (‘my mum and her friends have my swimwear’). Kate Moss and Beyoncé like Prism sunglasses, Rihanna the swimsuits.

KEY PIECE Anna likes to experiment with unexpected fabrics, such as black velvet for bikinis (which actually dry after a dip) and silver Lurex for swimsuits.

PRICE From around £170 for a swimsuit or bikini set. prismlondon.com

KALMAR

LABEL LOWDOWN Karen Ruimy, 52, worked as a financier and a flamenco dancer before launching her brand – inspired by her 1960s childhood in Morocco – in 2016. Think vibrant silk kaftans and statement jewellery, plus there’s a beauty range – bath oils, shower gels and candles – in the pipeline. WHO WEARS IT Eva Longoria and boho jetsetters such as Karen herself, who divides her time between London and Marrakech. KEY PIECE The super-versatile kaftan, which, says Karen, appeals to all ages. ‘Young women, such as my 17-year-old daughter, wear them over a bikini top and shorts, while older women can wear them belted with jewellery.’ PRICE From £250 to £650 for a kaftan. kalmarlifestyle.com