Inez Valentine Proves That Chic & Sustainable Swimwear Is Meant For More Than Just The Beach

Bikini tops and bathing suits may have always been a major part of our summer wardrobe, but, as the founders of Inez Valentine ask, why should we only rock them at the beach?

The chic new brand, launched this year by fashion vets Rocco Valentine and Bianca Inez Ubeda, rethinks swimwear in more ways than one. For starters, the label marks a departure from fast fashion, embracing mindful minimalism and sustainable production. Crafted from eco-friendly and recycled materials, the elevated mix-and-match pieces of Inez Valentine combine style with sustainability while effortlessly transcending any seasonal distinction. Sure, they're obviously perfect picks for summertime sunning in the sand, but Inez Valentine's designs are also meant to be paired with your everyday staples, no matter the occasion. It's everything we've been looking for in a swimwear brand and then some. 

We caught up with Rocco and Bianca to learn all about the It-Label you'll be seeing on the cool kids from the beach to the streets.

You both have careers in fashion - what was missing in the swimwear space that inspired you to come together and create Inez Valentine? How do both of your backgrounds inform the brand?
We both come from two different backgrounds within fashion, wholesale and styling. We noticed a huuuuuge gap in sustainability with the brands we were working with which inspired us to start Inez Valentine. A lot of brands have sustainable practices nowadays, but not close to where we need to be. Slow fashion is a must in the world we live in now and we'd like to change the idea of pumping out seasonal collections. With both of our experience in the fashion industry combined, Inez Valentine represents our fresh take on the fashion industry's old habits.

Sustainability is a major part of your ethos. How did you go about sourcing fabrics and manufacturers that combine sustainability with luxury? Was it challenging to meld the two?
We are proud to be handmade here in the USA. We made it a priority to find fabric that was sustainable yet luxurious and source all of our materials locally in downtown Los Angeles. We came across our current fabric and fell in love. Think of a mix between luxury swimwear fabric and athletic wear. Strong yet soft to the touch and will hug your curves beautifully - making you feel comfortable yet confident. Finding a manufacturer during the pandemic was a tough one.....but we made it happen. We had very specific needs and refused to settle. We ended up working with a woman-run sustainable development studio a few blocks from where we sourced our fabric. The gods were on our side, everything fell into place perfectly.

There's also a strong sense of community tied to the brand. Who is the Inez Valentine customer, and how do you connect with them?
We pride ourselves on being a Latina and Queer owned brand. IV is a space where everyone can come together to feel beautiful, and have a platform for conversation and expression. Our goal is to build a brand that is much more than just product. A focus on community and philanthropy is of utmost importance to us and giving back to our community has been a priority since inception. Our customer is sustainably and ethically likeminded & has been searching long and far for a swimwear brand that they can trust and share an ethos with. We love you guys!

We love the chic minimalism and versatility of each piece. What's your thought process behind the designs?
Minimal, Timeless, and versatile. These are the top three ideas we focus on when designing our pieces. Collection 01 was inspired by nature and culture. We fell in love with these neutral earth tones as they embody our romantic aesthetic. Living in NYC, we are constantly running around, leaving the house early and coming home late. Our clean lines and subtle design details embody the minimal girl on the go. They can wear each style with their favorite RTW piece from day to night.

What's one swimwear "rule" everyone should break?
That swimwear is only for the summer months. Swimsuit season has become a year-round market. Especially now that the world is opening up, slowly but surely, we are planning more getaways particularly to warmer destinations. This shift is allowing swimwear to become a seasonless category in fashion which is very exciting to think about, especially for the design process.

Besides, of course, your favorite swimwear, what's your one must-have beach day essential?
Our swim is meant to be worn back to RTW. Grab a pair of cute denim cut offs & find yourself at dinner on the beach later that day. From morning to night, IV is meant to stay on your body and be versatile with any type of RTW look. Other than that? Sunscreen.....no one wants wrinkles ;)

What's next for Inez Valentine?
RTW! We are excited to be working with Latin American artisans from a country close to Bianca's heart on a small capsule that will complement our new swim designs beautifully. Stay tuned!

Shop Inez Valentine HERE!

[Photos by Jan Carlo Cerilla, Casey Steffens, Michaela Kotob, Koming Darmawan via Inez Valentine]