With winter temperatures fading and the spring season approaching, it’s time to put your warm clothes back in your closet and choose the right outfit for the new warmer season. And as 2022 promises to be the year when restrictions against COVID-19 in public places will be buried for good, the time has come to think about how best to enjoy the coming summer on the beach, lake, and pool wearing swimwear brands of your choice.
If you are a Black woman who enjoys the summer and thinks of enjoying paradisiacal places during the hottest season of the year, it’s time to find the best swimwear brands to enjoy yourself to the fullest, whether traveling with your partner, friends or solo. Nothing is better than securing these bathing suits in Black-owned places.
Travel Noire did a search and found nine swimwear brands owned by brilliant Black women fashion designers for you to know and purchase the best suit for you on your summer vacations this year.
1. Marcia B Maxwell
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbAyZioLQ64/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Founded by Marcia Maxwell, Marcia B Maxwell, LLC, also known as MBM Swim was launched in January of 2019 and is sold in Victoria’s Secret, REVOLVE, and many others. MBM Swim has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Yahoo, Refinery29, Women’s Health, and many others.
Maxwell says that through faith and grit, she is working to grow her brand to be the biggest name in swim and resort wear.
2. Andrea Iyamah
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbBDLLBBFbl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Located in Ontario Canada and founded by Nigerian fashion designer Andrea Dumebi Iyamah in 2011, Andrea Iyamah is a Black-woman owned clothing line strongly inspired by ethnic cultures and elements of nature.
Andrea Iyamah is popularly recognized for its eccentric and unique take on swimwear, using vibrant colors and cuts inspired by an array of African cultures.
The brand also specializes in ready-to-wear and custom-made special event dresses. Strongly influenced by the brand’s African heritage, a blend of retro and various cultures inspired the colors and themes.
3. Dos Swim
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYCaSHqlE6z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Founded by Paula Hess and Shay Johnson Dos Swim is a brand that aims to be more inclusive, celebrating all types of bodies, offering sexy options for a wide variety of people. Dos Swim is a homage to Hess’ Colombian heritage.
“We wanted to create something we could really see ourselves and friends in. Finding the right fit was always so hard for our respective body shapes. Bottoms, specifically, were always a point of contention, they were either too low on the leg or too high, exposing too much or too little. We wanted to fix that. It was a personal project that grew into something more” Hess said in an interview with The Zoe Report.
4. Mint Swim
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPTvdcKlwXb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Created by actress / entrepreneur, Draya Howard in 2011, Mint Swim also focus on designing swimwear lines for all shapes and sizes. The brand targets women that want to feel sexy and confident with their curves while staying fashionable.
5. Asherah Swimwear
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXhtP38tFaM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Located in Dallas (TX), Asherah is owned by Cheryl J. The brand focuses on designing unique swimwear, the importance of being an individual and creating one own style.
Asherah is inspired by art, architecture, people, plants and animals from all around the world. The brand encourages understanding different cultures and inspires travel.
6. BFYNE
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbJEd6orCpM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
A swimwear and resort-wear brand that aims to celebrate body positivity, BFYNE was founded by Buki Ade, a Nigerian American fashion designer.
BFyne swimsuits intend to empower women, emphasizing their curves and meaning to inspire them to be more confident about their bodies through its swimwear line with a Nigerian vibe.
7. Castamira
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6RR8YDBdp4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Founded by former Wilhelmina model Chantel Davis, Castamira is influenced by the 70’s and 90’s aesthetic. The brand embraces the quaintrelle spirit of luxury and play, adventure and cherished moments of solitude.
“We also like to think that a little bit of mystery left for the imagination is an ode to the woman who revels in the idea of doing things HER way. The craftsmanship of each bathing suit enhances the beauty and sensuality of the body. Each suit is constructed to empower and inspire,” says Davis on the brand’s website.
8. Misses Brie
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZIbW2DuWhw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Founded by the international model, blogger, Social Marketing Expert and Designer Brielle Anyea, MissesBrie was created for women that strut with confidence and define their own beauty, as Anyea says.
“(MisseaBrie is) For the women that take risks and the ones that break rules made to silence them. Everything in this brand has been created with a ton of love.”
9. Koko D. Swimwear
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQRUMHRA_Hg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Koko D. was founded by Tamara Cummings in 2011. Before creating the brand, she held different positions in the fashion industry.
Influenced by her Caribbean heritage and her love for travel and different cultures, Tamara provides a line that was intended for the woman who loves life and who wanted to look awesome and empowered.
Koko D’s swimwear line offers vibrant colors and abstract designs for the glamorous and confident woman.