This article was originally published by Jennifer Nini, editor of Eco Warrior Princess. Photography by Ben McGuire.
As temperatures begin to soar and you start to make plans to whisk away to hideaway beach houses or tropical island locations, you’ll want to bring a bikini with you that’s fit for the idyllic surroundings – and I’ve got just the sustainable swimwear brand for you.
On the surface, you wouldn’t know ISLA is an eco-conscious swimwear label because its marketing and branding doesn’t scream ‘we’re big greenies!’. Their design-first, gentle approach to sustainability is exactly what I love about this swimwear label.
Inspired by stunning locations across the world, ISLA creates swimwear for the conscious woman with a globetrotting heart and a burning desire to live in the moment. Their swimwear have daydreams and summer romance written all over it. Its first collection features feminine designs and delightful prints that oozes quiet charm and a playful innocence.
Designed and made in Australia, this swimwear label may be new to the scene, but it’s making a big statement, both in design and green principles. Its swimwear is made from ECONYL® a high-quality, sustainable fabric from Italy that is made of regenerative nylon sourced and spun from ocean and industrial plastic waste. The fabric itself is luxuriously soft and durable, developed to withstand UV rays and retain its shape; a practical and eco-friendlier fabric choice for garments exposed to serious sun, surf and sand.
The interior lining continues the brand’s sustainability ethos, made from recycled polyester yarn originally derived from plastic bottles. The material is also fast drying and hard wearing and performs in the same way as standard polyester– except its recycled and makes use of existing resources rather than wasting it.
ISLA's first range features three gorgeous collections with unique prints to cater to different tastes and preferences. All prints are designed by artists in the popular coastal town of Byron Bay, Australia, and come in vibrant colours that capture that feeling of wanderlust.
Peony
The Peony Collection, for instance, weaves in a distinctive floral print, ideal for the woman seeking understated glam whilst lounging poolside or enjoying a refreshing cocktail at a beach resort.
Siena
For a softer palette, there’s the Siena Collection, a wallpaper-like print that’s as warm as it is pretty; its muted hue springs to mind sunsets and summer breezes, for the off-duty, free-spirited wanderer.
Mia
However, the Mia Collection is my print of choice. It has a bohemian sensibility but not-in-your face hippie which is more me, and since the dominant colour is a midnight navy blue – and blue happens to be the colour I’m most infatuated with – picking this print was relatively straight-forward. Although if you find it difficult eyeballing prints online and making a decision, I encourage you to consider what’s in your summer wardrobe, what you can pair it with and knowing the colours that look good on your complexion. This just comes down to experience and wardrobe reflection. I wear many different shades of blue so I had zero doubts that the Mia print would look good on me.
I also stuck to styles that I knew would work on my petite proportions, the Mia triangle bikini top with back tie and Mia regular bikini bottoms (I’m more modest than cheeky when it comes to the derrière). All ISLA styles are classic and simple, with no frills, crazy straps and shapes, so they’re guaranteed to be ‘in’ no matter the year.
My feelings about the print and style were confirmed when I tried on the bikini; the hand drawn bohemian print looked incredible against my skin tone and the style enhanced all the right areas, from bust to bottom. The adjustable over the shoulder straps made it easy to fit the bikini top to my body and the padded cups helped enhance my A-cup boobs (if you don’t need any ‘help’ in that department, just remove them). The string ties did their job in keeping my butt tucked firmly in place.
Confident with my choice, I pranced around the Noosa North Shore holiday house to show it off. My partner Ben looks up and tells me that I’ve chosen a winner and that I look amazing. He tells me that this bikini is the best one I’ve worn to date, and he wants to see me in it lots over summer. He also tells me that his mate’s missus saw it on my Insta Stories and wants to get the same one. Awwww, love that I’m inspiring women I haven’t met (yet) towards sustainable brands.
Now nothing horrifies a non-model more than having their picture taken wearing a bikini, but thankfully the styles I selected were super flattering and the print was easy to accessorise. I had a much easier time in front of that camera.
These images of me in the bikini speak for themselves. And remember, I’m not a swimwear model ha!
So if you’re looking for a mix and match bikini top and bottom that blends romance, sustainability, fit and quality and flatters the figure, ISLA's range is as beautiful as it is empowering.
Jennifer Nini is a writer, activist and the founding editor of Eco Warrior Princess. In 2010, after studying Fashion Business, she launched Eco Warrior Princess to explore her interests in fashion, politics, social justice and sustainability.
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To find out more on our sustainable and ethical production and packaging processes, visit our page: Recycled & Sustainable Swimwear.