CUT TO THE CHASE
Aqua Blu creative director Kristian Chase is reimagining the label’s swim and resort lines. Think designs featuring bold colours, prints and details, all with a high-fashion twist.
Summertime is a favourite season for many Australians, and those sunshiny days can last for months, especially for those now jetting off on a tropical getaway. And that means an absolute essential is a functional, fashionable swimsuit or two. Creative director of local swimwear label Aqua Blu, New York-born Kristian Chase, admits his couture background (he worked for luxury brands Dior, Hermès and Louis Vuitton) made him think designing swimwear wasn’t a natural fit – until he moved here. “The climate is delightful and I developed a love for summer fashion. I wanted to push the boundaries of what people expect of swimwear,” says Chase. “Couture is magical and its focus on artistry and craftsmanship is what truly sets it apart. I bring a lot of couture techniques to my swimwear and resort designs, which are limitedrun, elaborate and unique.”
Luxurious fabrics in vibrant prints and colours figure in the swimwear and resort ranges for summer ’18/’19. “The styles are old-Hollywood glamour with a couture element of being distinct and bold,” says Chase. And in a coup for the label, Aqua Blu will be the only Australian label to have a show at Miami Swim Week in July.
When it comes to choosing swimwear or resortwear, Chase’s tip is: “Think colour, colour, colour. Why blend in? Stand out, be noticed.”
Available from July; visit www.aquablu.com.au.