In a city (in)famous for its rainy weather, several swimwear designers are setting up shop and receiving national attention. What’s more, these designers are demonstrating their business savvy by creating on-trend designs inspired by or complementary to the runways worldwide.
Whether you’re planning a tropical trip, or simply looking forward to summer in Seattle, you’re going to need a bathing suit! Celebrate our local talent and meet Seattle’s up-and-coming swimwear designers.
Drifting Arrows | Leah Lawrence
Leah Lawrence is about quality and longevity. A Drifting Arrows suit is a classic for your closet rather than a trendy suit to get tossed after a season; for example, the bandeau and high-waisted top pictured above is flattering and youthful, but it’ll look just as great a year or a few from now. The Kure top even includes a removable halter top strap. Check out this list of local boutiques to find Drifting Arrows.
M&E: WHO IS THE DRIFTING ARROWS WOMAN?
Leah Lawrence: “I always keep in mind the needs of a woman on the go, what will work well with a layer over it, so she can easily transition from beach time to whatever comes next in her day. My customer is a woman that favors an effortless but eye-catching look, and prefers a quality piece that she can wear for years rather than a quick trend item.”
M&E: WHERE DO YOU FIND THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR SWIMWEAR LINE?
LL: “I lived on Maui for many years and spent most of that time in a bathing suit, so for me, swimwear is a basic part of life. I am very inspired by travel and the diversity of the planet we live on. I try to travel as much as I can possibly afford and I love reading about other cultures and places.”
M&E: WHAT’S NEXT FOR DRIFTING ARROWS?
LL: “I am just about to ship the first collection to my stockists, so the line will be in stores this month (June) …I am very excited to be working with such amazing retailers, including locally Les Amis. I am also about to launch my web store at http://driftingarrows.com. Next season (Summer 2013) look for prints and possibly a few key beach accessories.”
Teu Swimwear | Tininha Silva
Fashion often takes inspiration from artwork, but Tininha has the unique opportunity to take that artistic inspiration from her partner Sean Yearian, who has leant vibrant energy to the Teu collection, including this unique one-piece-turned-bikini, available online for $178.
M&E: WHO IS THE TEU SWIMWEAR WOMAN?
Tininha Silva: “Independent of age, a woman that will fall for Teu Swimwear designs is carefree, confident, magnetic and sensual—here, there…everywhere.”
M&E: WHERE DOES THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR SWIMWEAR LINE COME FROM?
TS: ” I love art and I am particularly drawn to non-traditional and exotic prints with themes that provoke curiosity. When one lives in a city famous for its rain it makes sense to travel to warm places as an escape. I owned a swimwear store in Seattle for 9 years (Tininha’s Boutique) before developing my own designs—our second biggest season had always been winter to the irony of many. I live in Seattle but have a Brazilian soul. I would have started this business even if I lived in Alaska.”
M&E: WHAT’S NEW WITH TEU SWIMWEAR?
TS: “Teu Swimwear Spring/Summer 2012 had a special collaboration this season with husband and artist Sean Yearian. The vision was to infuse art in fashion – fashion in art. We used original paintings by Sean Yearian to create exclusive limited edition prints for the entire collection, which also expanded to beachwear.”
Adicora | Niveen Heaton
Niveen’s super-feminine cuts and girly prints are perfect for the glamorous or girly-girl fashionista heading to the beach. Her new Tropicana Collection has something for everyone, including this on-trend animal print and green Clair bikini, available at her online shop for $125.
M&E: WHO IS THE ADICORA WOMAN?
Niveen Heaton: “Our Adicora girl feels confident with her own skin. She is a woman that loves fashion. Instead of blending in, she wants people to know who she is and what she stands for.”
M&E: WHERE DOES INSPIRATION FOR YOUR SWIMWEAR LINE COME FROM?
NH: “We find our inspiration from everything that surrounds us. We follow the latest music trends, architecture, people, and fashion. I find inspiration in everything. Our concept is designing our unique and fashion forward swimwear.. When I see a dress or a handbag or any piece that catches my eye, I try to see in what way I could do something similar in a bathing suit.”
M&E: WHAT’S NEXT FOR ADICORA?
NH: “It is a blessing to see our business grow every year. Our product is sold in several luxury boutiques in Japan, California, Miami, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,Washington and of course on our online store. Our goal this year is to expand to more retail businesses on the east and west coast, and in 2013, we are aiming to sell our product in South America.
ilha Swimwear | Shannon Moe
This is an exciting time for Shannon Moe of ilha Swimwear. Her bikinis are comfortable and secure while remaining flattering and stylish, like the blue dot bikini above, available at her online shop for $98.00.
M&E: WHO IS THE iLHA SWIMWEAR WOMAN?
Shannon Moe: “ilha is for anyone looking for something flirty and different. Our Brazilian-cut bottoms accentuate and flatter the natural curve of a woman’s body without being too racy. With ruffles, ruching, bright colors and prints, and fun twist details, ilha swimwear can be worn and loved by anyone between the ages of 15 and 45.”
M&E: WHERE DOES INSPIRATION FOR YOUR SWIMWEAR LINE COME FROM?
SM: “Inspiration for ilha swimwear seeps in from all around; traveling the world’s most beautiful beaches to a pop of color on a city street. Everything I see, whether it’s in nature or even a gorgeous accessory, translates into swimwear and how I can apply it to my designs.”
M&E: WHAT’S NEXT FOR iLHA SWIMWEAR?
SM: “We will be hitting the road for the second chapter of Pink Carpet Project, this time in Portland, Oregon. It is an awesome show put together by Cameron Levin to benefit Planned Parenthood. The last event here in Seattle was a huge success and we are so proud to be a part of such a fabulous cause! www.pinkcarpetproject.com“
Shannon Moe will also be featured in the Seattle Designer Series for the month of July at Tannya Bernadette’s studio in Ballard–read here for more details.
Agua Brava | Irina Sosa
Venezuelan native Irina Sosa has brought sunshine to Seattle with her brightly-colored swimwear, including this bold animal print bikini, available on her website for $79.99.
M&E: WHO IS THE AGUA BRAVA WOMAN?
Irina Sosa: “I design for women who care about their appearance and lifestyle, complementing the attributes of the different body types. I think the age is just a number so I try to design for women in general, always putting my special touch mixing fabrics and textures with vibrant colors to make you stand out from others.”
M&E: WHERE DOES INSPIRATION FOR YOUR SWIMWEAR LINE COME FROM?
IS: “The swimwear collection is inspired in my home Country, Venezuela, known for its year round tropical weather, beautiful beaches and gorgeous women. I want to bring this style to The United States; showcasing great color combinations that are always joyful and alive, fun details and styles that are flattering to women’s curves.”
M&E: WHAT’S NEXT FOR AGUA BRAVA?
IS: “We are happy to just recently have our first fashion show and we are very excited for this summer and the new inspiration for our next collection.”
