Miami Swim Week taught us that there’s nothing that a vacation or a date with the pool can’t fix! So ladies, this summer we are getting out of our heads and into the ocean. And of course you’ll need something fabulous to wear. We have handpicked 6 banging Black-owned swim brands that will make you want to splash around this glorious season.
1. Aude Swim
Photos courtesy of Audeswim.com and @AudeSwim on Instagram
“Let Africa embrace you” is the mantra of Aude Swim, a Sunny Isles Beach-based, Black-owned swimwear brand. Kouakou Djézeahou Aude Elsis, better known as Aude Harris, created the West African-inspired swimwear brand out of admiration for her own Côte d’Ivoire and Liberian roots.
What You’ll Love About Aude Swim
Authentic craftsmanship without breaking the bank! Rather than paying 100s to get that feel over the motherland, you can get it right here in the States for a fraction of the cost, not to mention the thoughtfulness that is put in every curated piece. You can’t put a price tag on that. By embracing where she has come from, Aude influences her customers to take a bit of Africa with them everywhere they go. After all, all roads lead back to home.
Shop the Designer
Web| https://audeswim.com/
IG| @audeswim
FB| @audeswim
2. Bella Craze
Photos courtesy of Bella Craze and @bellacraze on Instagram
Chicago-based and operated brand, Bella Craze is led by Miriam Cooper, a black woman entrepreneur, jet-setter, and fashion rockstar. While Miriam’s passion expands to dresses, accessories, and vegan body oil, her swimwear line “The Nude Collection” is one of her most sought-after creations.
What You’ll Love About Bella Craze
Don’t let the name “nude collection” fool you, the swimsuit line is actually very modest and intentional. Each piece has nude swimsuits for every shade of black. Additionally, Miriam Cooper is a faith-based woman and crafts each garment as a part of her journey walking with God. After all, that’s the translation of her beloved brand, Bella (devoted to God) and Craze (ever-changing fashion).
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Web| https://www.bellacrazedesigns.com/
IG| @bellacraze
FB| @BellaCrazeDesigns
3. Joues de Swim
Photos courtesy of JDSswim.com and @JDSSwim on Instagram
Dominique Celine, a Southern California girl, visualized JDS Swim around her ideal bathing suit in her early 20s. Since then, Joues de Sable, which translates to ‘Sandy Cheeks’ in French, has expanded to become one of the most sought-after swimwear brands in the country. With placements in stores like Revolve and Bloomingdale’s, it’s not hard to see why this eco-friendly brand is so adored.
What You’ll Love About Joues de Swim
Joues de Sable checks off so many boxes. Body positive. Check. Black woman-owned. Check. Environmentally friendly. Check. But the thing about Joues de Swim that seems to be the most surprising is that nothing is accomplished at the sake of quality. Every piece is comprised of premium Italian Carvico and Indonesian Lycra fabrics and some of the classic swimsuits like the “Amanda” and “Corinne” are constructed with recycled polyamide and elastane and are UV and sunscreen-resistant, lasting longer and looking better.
4. Keva J Swimwear
Photos courtesy of kevabykevaj.com and @kevajswimwear on Instagram
Couture meets comfort in Chicago native Keva Johnson’s namesake brand, Keva J Swimwear. The story of the brand is simple. One day in 2008 Keva J went shopping for swimsuits on vacation with her friends and didn’t find anything to her personal style. Alas, Keva J was born! Along the journey of building her brand, Keva realized there was a need for curvy women to be centered in her swim line. She filled that need.
What You’ll Love About Keva J Swimwear
If you love unique swim pieces that go just beyond laying poolside or taking it to the ocean, Keva J has got your back! Literally. Only in the brand development Keva J saw that big bust and curvier women were being skimped in the swimsuit department; too many strings, too much spillage, and too cheap material – but not enough coverage. That’s the lovely thing about Keva J, there’s none of those issues.
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Web| https://kevabykevaj.com/
IG| @kevajswimwear
FB| @kevajswimwear
5. OMA swim
Photos courtesy of omaboutique.com and @shopomaboutique Instagram
Oma Boutique was founded by former model and mogul Onyekah Deborah, who launched the brand in lieu of her own international modeling adventures. Oma Boutique is for the women whose leisure is their 9-5, the traveling working woman who works hard, plays hard, and looks fab while she does it!
What You’ll Love About Oma Boutique
In a world where fast fashion has left no room for originality, it’s extra special when you find a brand that doesn’t cut corners. Oma Boutique is comprised of hand-sewn, quality swimsuits made of premium materials. Each piece is crafted to not only fall in love with the piece, but the world the piece fits within. You’ll love Oma Boutique because you’ll love the woman it becomes.
Oma Boutique rocked the runway in the Miami Afroganica swimwear show on June 1.
Shop the Brand
Web| https://omaboutique.com/
IG| @shopomaboutique
6. Tantrum Vogue
Photos courtesy of TantrumVogue.com and @tantrumvogue on Instagram
Tantrum Vogue may appear to be an everyday swimwear brand, but founder Marcia Stewart has tied every bit of herself into the very fabric of each swimsuit she crafts. A proud Miami Native and entrepreneur, Marcia built her swimwear business from sheer determination and a pointed vision of creating versatile, high-quality garments that can be dressed up or down and never lose their style!
What You’ll Love About Tantrum Vogue
The allure of Tantrum Vogue is that it maintains all of the class without being overtly sexy. Modest divas will love Tantrum Vogue because their swimsuits hug curves while keeping them on point in place.. Beyond swimwear, Tantrum Vogue is valued for its signature HBCU boxer shorts that went viral after being adorned by HBCU fashionistas at homecoming.
The brand was spotted early this year during Miami Fashion Week.
Shop the Designer
Web| https://tantrumvogue.com/
IG| @https://www.instagram.com/tantrumvogue/
FB| https://www.facebook.com/tantrumvogue/
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