MAKING A SPLASH
IT ’ S B E E N A Y E A R , hasn’t it? By now, you deserve a staycation or at least some time in your home spa or hot tub. So shuck the sweatpants and hoodie and treat yourself to a chic swimsuit. You may not be renting a private island in Tahiti or dashing off to Saint-Tropez or St. Barts anytime soon because of the pandemic, but a boy and girl can dream, right? With future travel — and better days — on our mind, we rounded up 12 swimwear brands that are making a splash. Slip a chic bikini or one-piece on for size and be immediately mentally transported to your favorite tropical vacation spot. (You’ll be back there IRL one day.) In the 2020 spirit of spotlighting Black creative people, our roundup focuses on Black designers.
CASTAMIRA
Castamira’s Gia swimsuit in bleached copper ($198) is the quintessential one-piece. Its tie shoulder straps and ruffle detailing add a feminine touch to a classically flattering silhouette. Founded by Chantel Davis, Castamira is inspired by the Jamaican-born former Wilhelmina model’s experience in the fashion industry. Available at castamira.com, the brand uses eco-friendly materials for its bodycontouring designs.
DIARRABLU
Diarrablu’s figure-flattering, abstract polka-dot-print Nabu swimsuit in Kailua ($125) can also be worn as a bodysuit. Founded by Diarra Bousso, Diarrablu embraces sustainable practices while pulling design inspiration from Africa’s lush landscape. Bousso’s pieces are produced in Dakar, Senegal, where Bousso was born. Fun fact: Bousso is a creative mathematician and multidisciplinary artist. She started her professional career on Wall Street as a structured products trader and asset finance analyst but left to pursue her passion for design. Her collections are available at diarrablu .com.
KEVA J SWIMWEAR
Keva J Swimwear’s Gigi asymmetrical bikini top ($55) and bottom ($55) feature peekaboo details and an adjustable shoulder strap. Designer Keva Johnson launched her namesake label in 2007, and her designs have been worn by Ciara, Ashanti, Rita Ora and Kim Kardashian West. Other pieces can be found at kevabykevaj.com.
FE NOEL
Brooklyn, N.Y.-based designer Fe Noel’s Nutmeg swimsuit ($198) from her Daughter of the Soil collection is a one-piece that features a stunning hand-printed design. Made to order, the suit is available in two colors, Caribbean mint and beige, and can be worn as a bodysuit, paired with the brand’s wideleg pants. Fe Noel’s eponymous brand, which pulls inspiration from her Caribbean heritage, has a fan following that includes Beyoncé, former First Lady Michelle Obama and Gabrielle Union. It’s available at fenoel.com.
LEMLEM
Lemlem’s Lena bandeau top ($125) and high-waisted bottom ($125) are fashioned from Repreve, an eco-friendly fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. The swimsuit’s dark olive design features a detachable tie front detail so that the top can be worn two ways, while the bottom includes a subtle bow detail on the back. Model Liya Kebede founded the label after visiting her native Ethiopia, where she met a community of artisans. A portion of sales from lemlem. com benefits the Lemlem Foundation, which aids female artisans in Africa by connecting them with healthcare, education and career guidance.
MBM SWIM
MBM Swim’s Rebel monochromatic one-piece swimsuit ($150) is as sophisticated as it is sexy. Designed by Marcia B. Maxwell, the brand embraces timeless silhouettes — with modern twists courtesy of cutouts and sheer fabrics.
Maxwell’s collection of structured swimwear, which is available at mbmswim.com, was conceived in 2017 and officially launched in 2019.
AVID SWIM
Avid Swim’s trendy Zinae halter triangle bikini top and tie-waist bikini bottom ($119 for the set) are from the brand’s Wild Escape collection. The best part? Your significant other can coordinate with you in the label’s black-and-white Zinae Trunx ($98), fashioned from a lightweight fabric and featuring an adjustable drawstring waistband. All pieces are UPF 40+. Launched in 2010, Avid Swim is a sustainable swimwear brand based in New York. Founded by designer Gionna Nicole, the label works with manufacturers that utilize eco-friendly fabrics and low-impact dyes. The brand, available at avidswim.com, also offers accessories such as belt bags, coverups and a travel bag (for when we can travel without worry). laviebyck.com