Clare Vivier launched her eponymous brand in 2006 with a single product: a leather laptop case made on her kitchen table. Twenty years later, Clare V. has grown into a Los Angeles accessory institution, known for its playful letter motifs, structured crossbodies, and a distinctly Californian ease that has attracted a loyal following across generations. This month, the brand makes its first foray into swimwear — not as a standalone category debut, but through a collaboration with Left On Friday, the activewear label founded by designer Ali Sweeney.
Swimwear is a notoriously difficult category for ready-to-wear and accessories brands — sizing is unforgiving, fit expectations are high, and the season is short. But by entering through the door of collaboration rather than solo launch, Clare V. avoids the most punishing parts of the learning curve. If the sell-through matches the early buzz — the Lucky Stripe bikini sold out in the first week — the brand may find itself with a permanent beach presence sooner than planned.
The collaboration also marks an interesting retail strategy: rather than launching a standalone swim category with its attendant inventory risk, Clare V. partners with a specialist who already understands the technical demands of the category, then layers its own design language on top. The approach mirrors a broader industry trend toward collaboration as a lower-risk, higher-creativity alternative to vertical expansion. For Left On Friday, the partnership offers access to Clare V.’s devoted customer base and a dose of downtown credibility that an activewear brand might struggle to cultivate on its own.
The construction reveals a thoughtful approach to the category: the bikinis feature adjustable straps and double-lined fabric for opacity; the one-pieces are cut with a moderate rise that flatters without requiring constant adjustment. Left On Friday’s technical expertise in stretch fabrics ensures that the pieces hold their shape through salt water and sunscreen, while Clare V.’s design eye ensures they look like something you would wear beyond the shoreline. The cover-ups — a cotton voile sarong and a linen button-front shirt — blur the line between beachwear and ready-to-wear in a way that extends the collection’s life beyond vacation week.
The 27-piece collection, which launched on June 1, represents Left On Friday’s largest partnership to date. Together, the two labels have designed a range of bikinis, one-pieces, and cover-ups that translate Clare V.’s graphic vocabulary into swimwear territory. Prints include the Lucky Stripe — a two-tone zigzag that originated on the brand’s canvas totes — and Check It, a gingham rendered in sun-faded proportions. Solid options in Cold Brew (a warm taupe) and Tropic (a saturated green) offer counterpoint for those who prefer a quieter beach silhouette.
