Forever on the hunt for the perfect bikini, we were smitten when stumbling upon Faherty Brand’s gorgeous swimwear—fun prints, perfect cuts & eco-friendly production methods, doesn’t get much better than that! Putting the spotlight of the brothers behind the brand, Mike and Alex, we wanted to find out as much as we could about the emerging line—check out our interview with the Faherty boys below!
1. As men designing bikinis and beachwear for women, how/do you feel like you bring a different perspective to the swimwear game?
The beach for us is a casual, laid back place where we have our best moments. Feeling comfortable and looking good should come naturally. As guys who love the beach and love to surf, we appreciate active women who want to look great but not worry that her top will come off. One of the things we noticed in women’s swimwear is the lack of functionality– a lot out there is purely designed for aesthetics, full of uncomfortable buckles and beading. Creating a pragmatic, yet flattering, suit was important for us.Our fabric and prints are great. We spent more than two years perfecting a fabric blend that has the ideal hand feel and stretch. The result is a fabric that is lightweight and soft with great stretch retention and that dries quickly. It was also important to us that the fabric was eco-friendly, so we utilized innovative technology and derived the fabric from recycled plastic bottles. Our prints are inspired by our world travels; we’ve collected silk block prints from India, handmade Plangi fabrics from Sumatra, and Kikishibu indigo textiles from Japan. Our colors are deeply saturated, but still maintain a cool subtlety. We offer five prints and four solids ─ colors that look great on darker and lighter skin and can be seamlessly mixed and matched.
We also offer a great assortment of styles. We have the all-time Classic String Bikini top and bottom ─ an iconic style with just the right amount of coverage; the Convertible Bra Top ─ a classic, no-fuss bikini that captures the comfort and function of a bra; and the Cami Underwire top – a stylish and chic, yet functional top that provides underwire structure. The latter two have adjustable straps that convert to a cross back, halter, or strapless and have removable padding. In terms of bottoms, we designed the Signature Brief Bottom, which is very versatile and constructed to fit all body types; the Hipster Bottom, a suit created for all women, which can be worn completely up, down, rouched slightly above the hips, or worn as a skirt. Finally, we have a great vintage inspired One Piece, which is simple yet sexy.
The beauty of our swimwear is that all pieces are sold separate. We encourage women to buy different tops and bottoms and to experiment with what fits best. We also love the way you can mix and match our patterns and colors. It’s a fresh and stylish way to show up on the beach wearing contrast prints or color blocking.
2. Describe the kind of girl wearing Faherty creations:
Our girl is someone who is comfortable in her own skin. She’s Bohemian and classic. Active and sexy without trying. She values beautiful things and values the environment.
3. The prints on your suits are way cute! Where do you find inspiration for these patterns each season?
The concept for the brand is rooted in life’s great moments at the beach. These moments are filled with the bright colors of summer, from the reddish orange of sunrises and sunsets to the varying ocean blues. We identify summer with color, so summer suits should be colorful. Our prints are fun. Bold, but still understated, so each woman can keep her own personality, but not be overpowered.
We have an obsession for vintage textiles and are constantly collecting textiles at flea markets, antique fairs, and fabric markets from around the world; we’ve even ventured to rural places to work with artisans to discover new print techniques. The five prints that we designed for this first collection came from the indigenous textiles we discovered during our travels on our surf and work trips. Our initial collection has prints inspired from Silk Block prints from India, handmade Plangi fabrics from Sumatra, and Japanese Kikishibu indigo prints.
4. What made you want to incorporate an eco-friendly element into your business? Any particular environmental causes you both are dedicated to?
We couldn’t call ourselves a beach lifestyle brand if we didn’t care about the health of our beaches and water. Other industries are taking initiatives to make their products more eco-friendly. Our generation is buying organic food and cleaning supplies, recycling more, and expressing concern about climate change. And yet, the fashion world still has a long way to go. It’s time for the fashion world to step up. Most bathing suits are made from polyester; ours are simply derived from recycled polyester from plastic bottles which come from the same byproduct, petroleum. The oceans of this world do not need any more plastic bottle and recycled polyester requires approximately 2/3 less energy and almost 90% less water than the production of new polyester. With these facts in mind, it was an easy decision. While the creation of our fabric is more costly, we consider it a necessary investment in the environment. We’d like to create a shift in consumer culture, where people find value in premium product that lasts for years from eco/sustainable materials, as opposed to just one season.
5. As total beach boys, what are each of your favorite seaside locales?
We’re from a small beach town in New Jersey called Spring Lake, which is an awesome laid back, sleepy town. We also love Cardiff-by-the-Sea, a surf town in Southern California. And anywhere we can catch some great waves, have a bonfire, and then get good grub and cold beers will be a home away from home.
Honestly, how beautiful are these pieces from the Dior Fall ‘13 collection? Special shout out to the Andy Warhol handbags…so special!
Introducing Delpozo, a Madrid-based label to learn—full feature here
Follow Friday—Blogger Crush of the Week:
Soraya from Soraya Bakhtiar
So first thing’s first—we TOTALLY die for Soraya’s perfect skin (like, do you have pores? Do you? Do you?)…but take a closer look and you’ll find that in addition to an impeccable complexion, she has a flawless wardrobe to match. Prone to mixing luxe textures and never skimping on layers, Soraya has a refined palette & expensive taste—one that we really, really adore.
1. The Bascis:
Soraya Bakhtiar, 23, Geneva & London
2. 5 items in your closet you couldn’t live without:
- A pair of simple black leather skinnies, they transition beautifully from day to night - so versatile!
- My black Chanel Boy bag, it simply goes with everything and it has that little rockstar edge, which I love, but of course it’s Chanel.
- One of my little bouclé jackets from IRO - a timeless piece that works throughout the seasons.
- Just got my hands on the Balenciaga cut-out boots, and I’ve been living in them since.
- A light fur coat from Isabel Marant - don’t blame me, it can get pretty cold in Switzerland.
3. Currently coveting…
I fell in love with a studded leather jacket from 3.1 Phillip Lim! Also, Celine’s latest baby the “Edge” bag in black/white and Kenzo’s tiger sweater in Navy - I can never get my hands on it, they just fly out everytime!
4. Favorite item ever featured on The ZOE Report
I’ve been a fan for a long time and I remember exactly. It was back in 2010, when Tom Ford had just launched his “Private Blend” lipstick collection, I immediately went on the hunt for the Black Orchid - a lovely dark cherry/maroon. And a few months later, I splurged on the Portofino fragrance, I love a clean scent, it reminds me of sunny happy days.
5. 5 songs you’re streaming at the moment
-“Sunset” by The XX
-“Lights” by Ellie Goulding
-“Sweet Nothing” by Calvin Harris ft. Florence Welch
-“Nobody’s Business” by Rihanna ft. Chris Brown
-“Latch” by Disclosure ft. Sam Smith
Follow her on Twitter & Facebook, and don’t forget to add Soraya Bakhitar to your blogroll!
We’ve been smitten with Makri’s designs since her collab days with The Row to the present—our current fascination is her double python ring, featured today in AccessZOEries! With a vast knowledge of all things jewels and gemstones and memories from abroad, check out our interview with the amazing Ileana below:
Though you’re vocal in your fascination with a series of motifs (evil eyes, snakes, beetles/bugs), where else do you defer to for design inspiration?
Inspiration may come from anything. A phrase, an image, a shape, a mood, a moment. I especially feel inspired when i travel. There is something so magical about discovering new places that touches me and makes me want to express that feeling. At the moment I am in India and I find myself constantly aroused and enlivened by colours, scents, music and of course a vast array of shapes and motifs.
It’s no secret that you’re a world traveler—where do you find you do your best creative thinking?
The island of Patmos is one of my favorite places in the world. Though I am a very optimistic and joyful person, I like to flirt with melancholy. Patmos has a deep feeling of melancholy due to its profound spiritual history but at the same time it resonates a sense of calm because of it. This is a combination that suits my personality.
Besides those of your own creation, which pieces of jewelry are your most treasured possessions? Any that carry a particularly special story?
During the big snowstorm in NY back in the 70’s, I came across a small antique jewelry store somewhere in midtown, (probably the only store in NY that was open that day.) I bought a magnificent set of mosaic jewelry consisting of a necklace, earrings and four pins, that depict the history of Rome. These are still my most treasured jewelry pieces.
You’re very well-versed in gemstones—if you had to pick a favorite, which would it be and why?
Though I find that all gemstones carry they’re own magic, the stone that has had the biggest impact on me when I came across it, and left me breathless, was a cushion-shaped blue diamond.
You recently launched a contemporary jewelry line “IaM”—besides the price point, how do these designs differ from your other creations?
I feel that today more than ever, because it is such a strong transitional period, there is an intense feeling of nostalgia for things and times that are either transforming or drifting apart. The “IaM” line is a reflection of this time of transformation as it challenged me to create something beautiful and precious with a value that is not necessarily monetary.
Follow Friday—Blogger Crush of the Week:
Olivia from Lust For Life
Tell us you’ve seen someone rock black and white in such trend-focused, forward-thinking ways and we’ll call your bluff—Olivia takes the cake! Her sartorial sensibilities are 100% on point, and the way she mixes a bevy of neutrals is something out of a dream! But warning: she owns many a covet-worthy designer piece so try not to get jealous…we certainly are!
1. The Basics:
Olivia, 20, Los Angeles
2. 5 items in your closet you couldn’t live without:
- Isabel Marant Rio Sandals
- Miu Miu Noir Sunnies
- Equipment Blouse
- J Brand Jeans
- Unif Moto Jacket
3. Currently coveting…
Love these pieces! Stone Cold Fox Modest Dress, Christian Louboutin Pigalle Pumps, and these Alexander Wang brogues.
4. Favorite item ever featured on The ZOE Report
The Charlotte Olympia for Linda Farrow sunglasses. My favorite shoe designer and sunglass brand = dream team.
5. 5 songs you’re streaming at the moment:
-“The Way I Feel Inside” by The Zombies
-“That Look You Give That Guy” by Eels
-“White Nights (Skeet Skeet Remix)” by Oh Land
-“Genesis” by Grimes
-“Far Nearer” by Jamie XX
Find her on Twitter & Facebook, and don’t forget to add Lust For Life to your blogroll!
Sophia Webster is our latest shoe designer du jour—her designs are girly, fun & definitely not your run-of-the-mill pumps and platforms. In our haste to learn as much as we could about this British babe, we flagged her down to ask a few important questions:
1. Describe your aesthetic in three words:
Playful, colourful and feminine.
2. You were Nicholas Kirkwood’s assistant for quite some time—how have you been influenced by that period in your career?
I think he has influenced my attitude towards designing shoes. If Nicholas has an idea for a shoe and suppliers or manufacturers tell him it’s not possible, he will exhaust the possibilities until he can prove them wrong. If he believes something is possible then he always finds a way to make it happen.
3. Your shoes are insanely detailed and intricate —where do you derive such creative inspiration for these unique designs?!
Some designs come from research imagery some pop straight out of my head. There’s no real method to the madness.
4. Where do you envision the Sophia Webster girl wearing your footwear?
Wherever she wants I guess, wherever her shoes take her. It would be as rewarding for me to see a celebrity wearing them on the red carpet as it would to see a woman wearing them down the fruit and veg aisle at the supermarket. As long as they enjoy them and feel confident in their heels I’m happy.
5. Do you have a particular favorite shoe from your collection (if you HAD to pick!)
I love Rio Sunset. They make me smile. I designed them in Brazil, relaxing on Ipanema beach and sipping on a coconut.
