Imagine those holidays ahead and plan them well with The Hindu Weekend’s 2022 eco-swimwear edit
After two years of beach closures and canceled vacations, we can’t wait to start planning for sunny weather. Global brands like Camilla from Australian kaftan queen or new pandemic-era finds like Seattleite Jackie Robinson’s Mamma (they claim to run ‘sleep-in-it’ tests), all promote one trait in particular: sustainability. . But our homegrown brands are looking for women who are also environmentally conscious. This is a good time to review some ‘made in India’ options with sustainable qualities, like recycled nylon and cotton or Econil (made from fishing net and carpet waste), and which are high on comfort.
Memories from Jaisalmer @ Studio Verandah
For her latest collection, Anjali Patel Mehta took inspiration from her trip to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in 2020. After visiting the desert city just before the lockdown, she says the intricately carved stone windows of Jaisalmer Fort, and the flora and fauna around it. The focal point of the new series, Jharokha. In store (Goa) and online internationally, the Resort 2022 collection includes swimwear (from ₹6,000 onwards) and resort wear (from ₹10,000 onwards) in Econeal yarn. Look for sarongs, halter tops, hand-beaded corsets, high-waisted bikini bottoms, and kimono kaftans in aqua, bougainvillea, and painterly stripes. “Parrots, marigold flowers, desert palm leaves, hardy bougainvillea flowers and intricate motifs have found a home in the new collection,” says Mehta. @studioverandah on Instagram.
Marrakech Floating @ Okioh
After a 2020 collaboration with New York-based stylist Rachel Wang featuring recycled nylon and plastic bottles, founder Vivek Agarwal launched two last year. May saw a collaboration with Lisa Seuss Gah, a California-based ‘anti-fast label’. It had three prints: Bandana (red paisley), Farmers Market (black multifruit) and Moo (green cow print). In the one-piece and two-piece silhouettes, each design was crafted using ‘100% regenerated materials – recycled fishing nets and other pre- and post-production textile waste such as fluff’, according to Agarwal. For their Summer 2021 70s inspired collection (from ₹3,700 onwards), the color palette – blue, brown, green, orange, purple and yellow – was inspired by the Jardin Majorelle, the botanical garden in Marrakech. Ookioh, which translates to ‘floating world’, designs her swimwear with fabric made from ocean waste and has been found to be a favorite among American models Gigi, Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber. ookioh.com
Millennial Pop @ Sivan & Naresh
The New Delhi-based fashion duo’s holiday collection, IconoScape, features five diverse prints: Farrago, Jaiscape, Iconomash, BotanEye and Wilding. Designed for the ‘global millennial’ and ‘enthusiast Gen Z traveller’, there are 52 ensembles for both men and women. Indigenous fabrics like julienne – made from 100% organic fibers of traditional ‘Bora’ jute that would otherwise be used as sacks for packaging and storage – get our vote. The swimwear range, made from 90% recycled ocean-waste polyester, showcases “a cut reminiscent of the eighties mixed with the bold slinkiness and sensuality of the 2000s.” Several curved lines have been added to the bikini with acrylics to highlight and accentuate the natural body silhouette, says Naresh Kukreja. Swimwear for ₹28,950 on shivanandnarresh.com
Southern Focus @ House of Three
The design fraternity has a plethora of Mughal and Rajasthani inspirations and influences, says designer Sounak Sen Barat, which is why this Bengaluru-based designer’s December launch highlighted “the sheer grandeur of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.” With Dravidian, his AW21 Diffusion collection, which includes day wear, swimwear and resort wear for men and women, Barat says, “The idea is to break the mold of a generalized ‘South India’ and create an awareness of the vastness of Dravidian culture.” Had to spread.” Apart from a jewel print created using elements of temple jewelery and coins from the Chola and Pallava dynasties, the designs also feature temple architecture, wildlife of the Kabini forests, Tholu Bommalata (Andhra leather puppets) and more. They say that the fabrics are sourced from Carvico in Italy, which is made from Iconil yarn. “It has a variety of styles for women aged 18-50, for all body types, and sarongs, kimonos and other beach dresses in light cotton Bengal mulles and jamdanis,” he says. Says further. ₹4,000- ₹9,000 for swimwear. houseofthreestudio.com
Absolutely Black @ Isha Red Swimwear
Isha Lal Swimwear
Mumbai brand swimwear is known for its bold colors and floral prints, but this season it is all about the black. Crafted from fabric sourced from Italian textile manufacturer, Carvico, the latest collection includes the ‘Epiphany’ swimsuit. “As in the monokini and bikini,” says Lal, “it has a bold gold back clasp. Another set, the Onyx, is embellished with large gold rings. The pair is eye-catching and creates the beach-to-bar look that’s known for it.” Can be worn by women of all ages.” All swimsuits come with removable cups and range from size 6 to size 14. ₹4,600 – ₹4,800. @eshalal on Instagram
Experiment with Silhouettes @ The Summer House
Shivangini Padhiar and Rekha Datla started 2021 with A Private Escape, a swimwear collection using reversible fabrics in bold shades of blue, tangerine, green and black. Last October, the duo followed it up with their second debut, an artisan-made range of tops and dresses. Padhiyar says she worked with women artisans and the swimwear she created is “designed as modern-day heirlooms that collect stories and memories over time”. The Ahmedabad-based artisan brand Okhai has motifs inspired by Raja Ravi Varma paintings by women (hand embroidery by tribal women in Tamil Nadu) as well as embroidered lotus ponds and grapes. thesummerhouse.in
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