The Cost Of Quality

WHEN I STARTED THIS BRAND, I HAD A CHOICE.

I COULD FOLLOW THE TYPICAL FAST-FASHION PATH: FIND THE CHEAPEST MATERIALS, PRODUCE AS MANY PIECES AS POSSIBLE, AND COMPETE ON PRICE. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASIER, FASTER, AND FAR LESS EXPENSIVE.

BUT THAT’S NOT WHY I CREATED THIS BRAND.

FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, I REFUSED TO SETTLE FOR UNSUSTAINABLE, POORLY MADE SWIMWEAR.

SWIMWEAR IS ONE OF THE MOST DEMANDING GARMENTS YOU CAN WEAR. IT’S EXPOSED TO SALTWATER, CHLORINE, HEAT, SUNSCREEN, STRETCHING, AND MOVEMENT. YET SO MANY SWIMSUITS ON THE MARKET ARE MADE WITH THIN FABRICS THAT FADE, LOSE SHAPE, OR BECOME SEE-THROUGH AFTER A FEW WEARS.

I KNEW IF I WAS GOING TO CREATE SWIMWEAR, IT HAD TO BE DONE THE RIGHT WAY.

SO I CHOSE QUALITY OVER SHORTCUTS.

WHY WE USE ITALIAN RECYCLED FABRIC

ONE OF THE BIGGEST DECISIONS I MADE WAS CHOOSING THE FABRIC.

INSTEAD OF USING INEXPENSIVE SYNTHETIC MATERIALS THAT MANY BRANDS RELY ON, I CHOSE PREMIUM RECYCLED FABRIC SOURCED FROM ITALY. THESE FABRICS ARE KNOWN GLOBALLY FOR THEIR DURABILITY, SOFTNESS, AND ABILITY TO HOLD THEIR SHAPE OVER TIME.

THEY’RE ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY MORE EXPENSIVE.

BUT THEY OFFER WHAT CHEAPER MATERIALS SIMPLY CAN’T: STRUCTURE, LONGEVITY, AND COMFORT. THE FABRIC IS THICKER, SMOOTHER ON THE SKIN, AND DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THE CONDITIONS SWIMWEAR IS ACTUALLY WORN IN.

IT ALSO REFLECTS SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO ME — MAKING PIECES MORE RESPONSIBLY BY USING RECYCLED MATERIALS RATHER THAN CONTRIBUTING TO UNNECESSARY WASTE.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

ANOTHER DECISION I MADE WAS TO FOCUS ON SMALLER, MORE THOUGHTFUL PRODUCTION.

FAST FASHION THRIVES ON MASSIVE QUANTITIES AND EXTREMELY LOW COSTS. BUT THAT APPROACH OFTEN SACRIFICES CRAFTSMANSHIP AND DURABILITY.

INSTEAD OF PRODUCING THOUSANDS OF CHEAPLY MADE SWIMSUITS, I CHOSE TO CREATE FEWER PIECES WITH BETTER CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS.

THAT MEANS EVERY DETAIL MATTERS — FROM THE CUT AND FIT TO THE STITCHING AND FABRIC PERFORMANCE.

CREATING SWIMWEAR THIS WAY IS NOT THE CHEAPEST ROUTE, BUT IT ALLOWS US TO OFFER PIECES DESIGNED TO LAST FAR LONGER THAN A SINGLE SEASON.

WHAT IT ACTUALLY COSTS TO MAKE A SWIMSUIT

SOMETHING MANY PEOPLE DON’T REALIZE IS THAT THE RETAIL PRICE OF A PRODUCT DOESN’T EQUAL PROFIT.

BEHIND EVERY PIECE ARE MULTIPLE COSTS: PREMIUM FABRICS, PRODUCTION, PATTERN DEVELOPMENT, SAMPLING, MANUFACTURING, PACKAGING, SHIPPING, PHOTOGRAPHY, WEBSITE COSTS, MARKETING, AND THE MANY UNSEEN EXPENSES REQUIRED TO RUN A BRAND.

BEFORE A SWIMSUIT EVER REACHES YOU, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT HAS ALREADY BEEN INVESTED INTO CREATING IT.

WHEN YOU SUPPORT A SMALL BRAND, YOU'RE NOT JUST BUYING A PRODUCT — YOU'RE SUPPORTING THE ENTIRE PROCESS BEHIND IT.

BUILDING A BRAND THAT LASTS

PRICING OUR PIECES THE WAY WE DO ISN’T ABOUT CHARGING MORE FOR THE SAKE OF IT. IT’S ABOUT BUILDING SOMETHING SUSTAINABLE — A BRAND THAT PRIORITIZES QUALITY, THOUGHTFUL DESIGN, AND RESPONSIBLE MATERIALS.

WE BELIEVE SWIMWEAR SHOULD FEEL GOOD, LAST LONGER, AND BE SOMETHING YOU TRULY LOVE WEARING.

THAT’S THE STANDARD WE CHOSE FROM THE START, AND IT’S THE STANDARD WE’LL CONTINUE TO STAND BY.