Sustainable Swimwear in Queenstown
A swimsuit is a garment worn to protect the body while swimming, or participating in water sports. They can also be used to show off the wearer’s physical attributes, as in glamour photography and beauty contests.
Based in Martinborough, Thunderpants make ethical swimwear with a focus on transparency. They use sustainable fabrics and biodegradable packaging. They even made their business cards from t-shirt offcuts!
Bond-Eye
Branded as ‘swimwear for the confident ocean-loving wahine,’ Bond-Eye Swim is a sustainable swimwear label that creates timeless intimates. Their 2021 collection uses regenerated nylon from production by-products and dyes all their fabrics using solar energy. They also use minimal paper and recycled business cards, and recycle any offcuts from previous seasons.
They offer a range of one-pieces and bikini tops in their crinkle fabric that is ultra-flexible to fit all body shapes from XS to L. The unsized fit enables them to use considered production cuts and limit inventory holdings, which makes it easier for shoppers to find their perfect size. They’ve partnered with i=Change, donating $1 from every purchase to three charities of their choice.
Nisa
When you shop with Nisa, you’re supporting women from refugee and migrant backgrounds who are hand-crafting your intimates in their central Wellington workshop. The label also has an impressive commitment to sustainability, offering reversible swimwear and using recycled fabrics made from plastic bottles, discarded clothing and ghost fishing nets.
Founded by former lawyer Elisha Watson, the organic cotton brand is a social enterprise that employs Wellington women from refugee and migrant backgrounds. It produces size-inclusive underwear, loungewear and swimwear. They use biodegradable packaging and even make their business cards out of tee-shirt offcuts. They also provide daycare and healthcare for their staff. They are working on carbon-offsetting too.
Emroce
Emroce founder Emma Churchill has created a zero-waste swimwear brand using high quality, recycled Italian fabrics. Each piece is cut from a tessellating pattern, so no fabric waste is left behind. This is a significant change from traditional pattern making, where between 15% and 40% of the fabric is discarded.
This sustainable fashion label also offers mastectomy-friendly bikini suits. They take a holistic approach to ethical design, considering sustainability at the design stage as well as when it comes to materials. They use biodegradable mailer bags and eco-friendly tissue paper and stickers.
This NZ-made, sustainable brand uses a mix of block colours and stripes, and they’re working towards carbon offset initiatives through Auckland company Carbonclick. They also offer a range of kids’ styles, as well as non-binary and trans-inclusive suits.
Unde
Unde is a Kapiti Coast brand that started with underwear and branched out into swimwear last year. They use ECONYL fabrics and work by pre-order to avoid waste. They also have a focus on transparency and ethical working conditions, including a daycare service for their employees.
Before starting any production, it’s important to do market research. This can help you understand your customer base and what they’re expecting from a swimwear collection. You can find this information through surveys, social media, etc. If you need any assistance with this, Deepwear can provide you with industry insights and consultation.
Hakinakina
Hakinakina is a NZ based sustainable brand, created by Sara after she was diagnosed with cancer and struggled to find swimwear that offered both protection and style. They use recycled fabrics, biodegradable packaging and make their business cards out of tee shirt offcuts. They also focus on transparency and ensuring their manufacturers provide daycare and health benefits for their workers.
This funky, vibrant collection of sun tops, suits and bottoms is designed and made in New Zealand. They use a breathable, UPF 50+ UV protective fabric that’s made from recycled plastic bottles, and they think about the environment every step of the way.