Stylish 2012 Swimwear by Vancouver Designers

Credit: Beth Richards

Bardot by new Vancouver swimwear talent Beth Richards

Searching for the perfect summer swimsuit? Browse the 2012 swimwear collections from the growing pool of talented Vancouver designers

I won’t be satisfied until Vancouver boasts one swimwear designer for every beach. But the Vancouver swimwear market did get one exciting new entry this year: the sophisticated Beth Richards. More on her offerings below.

Meanwhile, Anna Kosturova – internationally recognized Sports Illustrated darling – is up to her usual skimpy, sexy, crochet bikinis. Eco-friendly Daub + Design has once again cornered the immortal boho-chic Vancouver swimwear market. Cuché Bikinis is irrepressibly cute and oh so wearable with a 2012 season packed full of vintage-inspired silhouettes.

Browse the most stylish suits by Vancouver designers below.

Beth Richards

Madge by Beth Richards
(Image: Beth Richards)

When Beth Richards moved to Vancouver from Toronto, she started spending summer days at the beach but had trouble finding swimwear that matched her style.

The resulting collection is an elegant, modern set of monochrome suits inspired by icons Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford.

The looks are as chic in the water as on dry land – they double as body suits. The Italian material protects the wearer from UV rays. I’m partial to the Bardot one-piece with flattering high-cut legs and an edgy mesh top. The Madge two-piece (above) is the little black dress of bikinis.

Net-A-Porter, the world’s premier online luxury fashion retailer, already snapped up the 2012 collection. You can also find it at Roden Gray in Gastown and Gravity Pope Tailored Goods in Kits.

Angel Frillkini by Anna Kosturova
(Image: Sports Illustrated 2012
Swimsuit Issue)

Anna Kosturova

As usual, Kosturova’s sultry crochet bikinis have made a splash in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, not to mention Elle, Spanish Vogue, People and In Style Germany. A favourite with Coachella types and those who are likely to vacation in Rio during carnival, the look is the opposite of Richards.

Sleek black is replaced with electric brights. The cuts are perfectly provocative, and pair with Kosturova’s expansive array of crochet dresses, vests and blouses.

Of the suits selected for the 2012 Sports Illustrated issue, the Angel Frillkini in cherry red (right) atands out as the wearable choice for a beach-going Vancouver woman.

Katherine Maillot by Daub + Design
(Image: Shaine Jones Photography)

Daub + Design

Gastown-based textile design studio Daub + Design has put together another easy-on-the-eyes, boho swimwear collection for the 2012 summer season.

While their hand-dyed bandeau top bikinis are as sweet as ever, the colour block one-pieces – like the Katherine Maillot in kelly green and black – take the collection to a punchy, new level.

Cuché Bikinis

Eugénie by Cuché. (Image: Cuché Bikinis)

Designed by Vancouverite Eden Rausch, Cuché draw on inspiration from vintage silhouettes without mimicking the past.

While the colour scheme is gentle, each suit holds the eye with an unexpected detail, from rouched bottoms to sculptural bust-line clips and contrasting halter straps.

This season, I’ve fallen for the Eugénie with contrasting “bra” straps and Spanish brief bottoms. Find Cuché bikinis on Shopify, Dream in Gastown or Forsya on Main.