Emerging Italian swimwear brands to try this summer

They are young, passionate, creative, independent, talented, inclusive, often sustainable and dress with style and cool in summer. Their names are Lido, Festa Foresta, Bea Studio and Mimì à la mer. They have different backgrounds and origins, but they share the same vision of swimwear that celebrates every body type while respecting the environment through the use of sustainable materials. They may not be able to count on the same resources and media exposure as the big brands, but the young Italian brands have the enthusiasm, freshness and determination on their side to try to survive and stand out in the big sea of international fashion. If you have not met them yet through word-of-mouth, read on and get ready to put their clothes on your shopping list for the summer.

Lido

Minimalist, chic. Like the famous Venice Lagoon shore where it is fully conceived, designed and manufactured, Lido combines sophistication, colour, comfort and a green soul. Indeed, each piece from the brand, founded in 2017 by Daria Stankiewicz, is made from sustainable fabrics, using regenerated nylon yarns and innovative processing techniques that have as little impact on the environment as possible. The result is bikinis and one-piece swimming costumes with a simple, almost rationalist design and effortless elegance that seem inspired by the summers of La Dolce Vita, yet are extremely contemporary.

Masarà

Masarà means "soaking wet" in Milanese dialect and is the name Francesca Fabris chose to create a brand that combines sustainability (the fabrics are made of ECONYL® and elastane), the sea and a passion for fashion. The SS23 collection is inspired by Jacques Deray's film La Piscine and picks up on its atmosphere and style through the colours and design of the swimwear, such as the new Bambi bandeau models with central seams and ruffle details and the Panama foulard top, perfect for everyday wear and not just for showing off on the beach or by the pool.

softandwet

Simple, comfortable, yet luxurious and desirable, softandwet, a Treviso-based brand founded in 2019 by Alice Bruniera, features sensual and sustainable underwear and swimwear that celebrates the body at every turn. The bras and briefs feature delicate ribbons and ruffles and come in white, pink, champagne, green, light blue and brown. All garments are made from silk or other ethically sourced fabrics.

Fantabody

Each garment from Fantabody, a brand founded in 2015 by photographer Carolina Amoretti, celebrates every body type and is based on an idea of inclusion, empowerment, joy and conscious femininity, far from a stereotypical idea of beauty. Not enough yet? The eclectic mix of swimwear, activewear and underwear, combining international aesthetics and made-in-Italy quality, makes the garments perfect to be integrated into any look, adapting to the wearer's style while always staying cool.

BEA Studio

BEA studio is fun, creative, colourful and constantly evolving. Beatrice Sammarco's project is not limited to swimwear, but also includes activewear, capsule collections and collaborations with personalities from the world of fashion, art and music. The details that captivate at first sight? The prints that are always original, imaginative and playful, providing a boost of positivity that shines brighter than the summer sun.

LATTE The Label

Sonia Benassi and Giorgia Ferrais founded LATTE The Label in 2022 with the idea of creating something that did not exist yet: sustainable, comfortable basic underwear that adapts to every body shape and type and makes the wearer feel sexy. Every piece is made from natural bamboo fibres, certified and supply chain controlled, including the pieces in the new limited edition swim collection MILKSHAKE. The bikinis and one-piece swimming costumes are made from recycled fabrics and are available in 6 colours and sizes XS-XL. The tip? Play with combining different colours and shapes to create your own style.

Astra Underwear

Astra underwear is a young, independent Milanese lingerie company that offers underwear that makes the wearer feel comfortable and sexy at all times. And all with sustainability and respect for the environment and workers in mind. The details that make the brand's garments special are statement briefs, sensual lace and romantic ruffles.

Festa Foresta

Can minimalism be magical? The Festa Foresta brand, launched in 2020 by Laura Zura-Puntaroni, is. Its special power is that it makes the wearer feel comfortable with her body, no matter what it looks like. The brand stands out not only for its inclusivity, but also for its concern for the environment. Each costume is made from recycled yarn and developed in small, family-run Italian workshops in the Marche and Lombardy regions.

Mimì à la mer

Do not let the French name fool you, Mimì à la mer is completely Made in Italy. Michela Occhetto's brand has become known in recent years for exclusive quality collections, designed and made in Italy in limited editions. The secret of its success is the style with a vintage flavour and the original, unique and absolutely charming fabric patterns. Mimì à la mer offers not only beachwear, but also resortwear and knitwear, all inspired by old films and photographs. You just have to wear them to immerse yourself in a world where you can feel like a protagonist and something special.

Ziah

Sexiness meets sustainability. Ziah, a company founded in 2015 by Erika Toscano, combines sensuality and ethics to create hybrid garments that fit perfectly between swimwear and ready-to-wear. Cut-outs, mischievous details, inverted bikinis are elements that make each garment unique and celebrate the wearer's body. The plus? The use of recycled and biodegradable fabrics like Amni Soul Eco® polyamide.

ACK

Lace, metallic embellishments, old-fashioned prints, bright colours, sexy designs and 80s nonchalance are the secrets of success of ACK, an independent and 100% Italian-made swimwear brand founded by Rebecca Larsson, an Italian-Swedish designer who used to be style director of Retrosuperfuture (together with Alessandra Scorletti). If you want to show your hot side, this is the right choice for summer 2023.