Summer is in full swing, and the search for the perfect bikini has moved well beyond the classic string. Independent labels are delivering tankinis, swim skirts, shorts and one-pieces that actually feel new.
This Belongs To began as an underwear brand redefining what sexy meant for women, and its swim pieces carry the same hand-sewn name labels and comfort-first nostalgia, handmade in the UK.
Fruity Booty, the London label worn by Kendall Jenner and Dua Lipa, builds limited runs from deadstock and responsibly sourced fabrics, its bright color combinations and playful graphics made for Mediterranean afternoons.
Diani channels mermaid energy from Barcelona, founded by sisters Elene and Anna Diani, while Du Ciel’s Monaco swimsuit pairs a dramatic plunge with an open back for beach days and city nights alike.
What unites them is a refusal to treat swimwear as a commodity, proof that the independent swim set is where the summer’s most interesting silhouettes are being cut.
Pittanga is manufactured entirely in Rio de Janeiro, drawing on local beach culture and bossa nova, while London’s hrh mixes gymnastics and eighties beach references into separates that work from sand to club.
