A sun-bronzed model in Surfer Magazine’s 2015 swimsuit issue is wearing a sexy black crochet two-piece by Vancouver designer Anna Kosturova.
The recent cover is yet another dip in the pool of the big time US magazine market for the Gastown-based designer whose hand-crocheted swimsuits, which range in price from about $150 to $220, have been featured in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit editions since 2006. Surfer Magazine is a huge thrill for Kosturova, a recreational surfer who says her delicate suits are sturdy enough to ride waves in.
“Girls surf in it,” she says about her swimwear. “I’ve surfed in it.”
Vancouver shoppers can find her feminine swimsuits and ready-to-wear pieces on her website. Locally, she does personal fittings as well, but the bulk of Kosturova’s boho-inspired swimwear and clothing business is in the United States and Europe. Harrods in the United Kingdom and Saks Fifth Avenue in New York sell her namesake designs, and she was picked up by online fashion retailer Revolve Clothing.
Another Vancouver swimwear (and sportswear) designer to watch is Beth Richards, who brings her own edgy street style to swimwear that ranges in price from $75 to $265. She is also a local designer getting editorial attention and whose work was picked up by Net-A-Porter and Gravity Pope. With flattering fits and an urban feel, her modern swimwear line includes unique two-pieces with knotted bikini tank tops. An old photo of model Christy Turlington inspired the sexy tomboyish swim top.
“I thought if we could engineer that in a way, that would be really cool – that ‘80s meets ‘90s kind of beachy vibe,” she says. “You know, every T-shirt that I ever had I always used to roll up the sleeves and sort of knot [it] at the bottom, so I just thought it would be kind of fun to bring that into swimwear.”
For a more traditional option, check out L Space by Monica Wise. The California line is carried in local boutiques, including Still Life For Him and For Her on Main Street.
Owner Kim Jensen says while her store isn’t a swimwear destination, she couldn’t resist L Space swimwear because of its contemporary styling, which appeals to women of all ages. She also appreciates that the tops and bottoms can be mixed and matched for optimum fit.
“[Swimwear] wasn’t necessarily something that was on my radar, but one thing that I found being in my early 40s now, it’s really hard to find swimwear that I feel is age-appropriate, that’s not too mature looking,” Jensen says. “I feel like the brand crosses so many generations … you can run the range from really sexy to a bit more mature if you want.”
Each of these three swimwear lines offers a unique look for the dog days of summer: Anna Kosturova on those sexy lounge days, Beth Richards for busy beach-to-bar days, and L Space for lazy poolside days.
