THE SUMMER OF SWIM

Meet the Australian Duo Designing Swimwear You Can Wear Anywhere, from the Beach to a Bar

Tuyen Nguyen and Michael Lim talk about their line Her.


2. %22Courtesy of Her.%22.jpg
Courtesy of Her

Tuyen Nguyen and Michael Lim created the swimwear brand Her. in 2014 as an answer to impractical, fashionable bathing suits they saw on the market. Their goal is to offer functional, flattering, timeless swimwear to women of all ages. Naturally, they quickly earned a cult-following and are planning to launch their ready-to-wear collection later this year. Here, the Sydney-based duo open up about how their surroundings inspire them, why Romy Schneider in La Piscine is their ultimate icon, and more.

What is your favorite beach? One of our favorites is Clovelly Beach in Sydney. It’s our go-to every summer. It’s hidden in a little bay which makes it the perfect spot for swimming or snorkeling and then spreading out a towel and relaxing on the sun drenched concrete platforms that border it. Watching the subtle changes in the water, the cliff faces and the concrete platforms of Clovelly as the light rises and falls from sunrise to sunset has inspired our past collection color palettes.

Clovelly Beach gets very crowded on a hot summer day so sometimes we head over to Gordon’s Bay, a secluded spot which is a 10-minute walk south of Clovelly. Gordon’s Bay is an oasis – it’s only accessible on foot via a coastal walking trail. It’s quieter than Clovelly and there are lots of sprawling rocks that you can bask on with a book. When we give ourselves some time off from work, we love to take a drive down south and spend a weekend on some of the beaches within Booderee National Park on the coast of New South Wales. It has the whitest, most pure sand and crystal clear waters.

What is your favorite thing to do pre- and post-beach? In Sydney we’re never far from the beach, so we don’t have many rituals or make too many plans. We put on sunscreen before leaving the house, and after a swim there’s nothing better than going to a local bar or pub for a drink with friends.

Do you prefer the pool or the beach? Summer for us is all about balmy days at the beach. There’s no better way to relax than feeling the salty breeze hit your face, hearing the ocean and letting your bare feet sink into the sand.

What do you always bring to the beach? A book, sunscreen, water, a beach towel, a cotton shirt to cover up in and our film camera.

How would you style your swimsuit from the beach to a night out? All of our one pieces are designed to be layered. They create a timeless look when worn with loose, wide leg trousers, a pair of sandals and an elegant pair of gold hoop earrings. Or throw an oversized cotton shirt over one of our bikinis and pair with a long skirt and salt-slicked hair. As a natural progression of our swimwear, this year we’re introducing our first collection of resort ready-to-wear. The pieces are designed for the modern traveller’s wardrobe and are made to last from season to season.

Courtesy of Her

What is your ultimate do’s and don’ts at the beach? Growing up in Australia, we know it’s so important to use sunscreen and reapply throughout the day. Spritzing a little oil through your hair and keeping your skin moisturized will also protect you from the salty air. The beach is all about feeling free spirited, so leave your heels at home and avoid over-accessorizing. Which swimsuit reference has influenced you most? Romy Schneider’s timeless wardrobe and beauty in the film La Piscine. Her summer holiday look is sleek and feminine yet uncomplicated.

What is your favorite memory at the beach? Tuyen: When I was growing up, my family and I spent our weekends at La Perouse, just south of Sydney. We went swimming, exploring, fishing and more swimming! For dinner we cooked whatever we’d caught that day. It was the freshest seafood in Sydney. Michael: Catching my first ever wave at Maroubra Beach.

What are you reading this summer? Tuyen: I’m re-reading one of my favorites, The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. I was also recently gifted Wolfgang Tillmans’ Abstract Pictures photo book. It’s a beautifully printed book that you can get lost in. Michael: I’m making my way through The Art of War by Sun Tzu. What are three songs on your summer playlist? There are too many to choose from, but these three are on high rotation! “Junie” by Solange, “Love/Paranoia” by Tame Impala, and “Summer Madness” by Kool & The Gang.

The Ultimate Guide to Summer’s Best Swimsuits

There’s something about this bikini that just screams hot weather. Leave it to La Double J to get you excited for packing for your next beach vacation.

Buy now: La Double J printed bikini top, $120, modaoperandi.com and matching bikini bottom, $100, modaoperandi.com.

Headed to the south of France? Pack this Jacquemus bikini, as seen on the runway at his Summer 2019 show.

Buy now: Jacquemus bikini set, $240, modaoperandi.com.

Whether you’re headed to the tropics or Ibiza, a touch of crochet is always a good idea. This Anjuna bikini is reversible.

Buy now: Anjuna bikimi, $470, netaporter.com.

The Colombia-based label Verde Limon is known for its playful and tropical printed swimwear. This wrap-around bikini top and matching high rise bottom is an easy favorite.

Buy now: Verde Limon wrap-around bikini top, $190, shop.bikini.com and matching high waist bottom, $99, shop.bikini.com.

This Brazilian swimwear brand’s fun palm prints are just what you need for your next island getaway.

Buy now: Bromeliario Swimwear maillot, $99, shop.bromeliario.com

Onia has quickly become one of the most popular swimwear labels (the brand is worn by Jonas Brothers and their significant others, and is a blogger favorite thanks to a successful collaboration with Danielle Bernstein). We love this simple summery sketch on Onia’s classic silhouette one-piece.

Buy now: Onia printed one-piece, $195, onia.com.

No matter what locale you plan to visit this summer, you can’t go wrong with packing this chic Hermès one-shoulder maillot. We love this strategically placed cut-out, too.

Buy now: Hermès one-piece swimsuit, $530, hermes.com.

We love this Cali Dreaming swimsuit’s boyish neckline, and the classic pairing of peachy nude and navy.

Buy now: Cali Dreaming maillot, $245, goop.com.

This minimalist bikini shows just the right amount of skin. Wear in the city with a high-waist pant or on a sandy beach of your choosing.

Buy now: ACK bikini, $170, [farfetch.com](https://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/ack-filo-bikini-item-13539721.aspx?storeid=9359).

A sunny marigold bathing suit is sure to get you into vacation mode. Packing this double-strap Jade Swim one-piece for your next trip to southern Italy.

Buy now: Jade one-piece swimsuit, $220, jadeswim.com.

Rochelle Sara’s minimalist-meets-sporty cuts are sure to be a winner amongst those who love to hit the waves. We especially love this suit in nude.

Buy now: Rochelle Sara bikini, $330, farfetch.com.

Matteau has become the minimalist fashion lover’s favorite swimwear label. This season our favorite silhouette is a surf-inspired cropped swim top paired with a bikini bottom.

Buy now: Matteau sleeve sun tee and bikini bottom set, $342, farfetch.com.

There is no slowing down the gingham swimwear trend, but we especially love Miu Miu’s extra-sweet take on the look.

Buy now: Miu Miu gingham bikini, $595, farfetch.com.

It feels like this burgeoning label is everywhere you turn, and you’d be right. With a charming new New York City store, LoveShackFancy is for the girl who loves Brock Collection but is a little more bohemian.

Buy now: LoveShackFancy swimsuit, $270, intermixonline.com.

Kisuii’s Liberty-esque floral prints are perfect for sunny days out east. Pair with an easy cotton dress, and you’ll be ready for a weekend out of town.

Buy now: Kisuii bikini top, $120, intermixonline.com and matching bottoms, $100, intermixonline.com.

She Made Me is known for their uber-feminine crochet swimwear, but this season, with the addition of floral swim separates, their collection is even more covetable.

Buy now: She Made Me bikini, $280, farfetch.com.

What’s sweeter than a core Marysia swim silhouette done up in gingham, with a pink flower on top? Marysia’s collection is a girly girl’s go-to, never more so than this season.

Buy now: Marysia maillot, $460, netaporter.com.

The beloved contemporary brand launched swimwear this year, complete with a jet-set trip with some of the label’s favorite influencers, like Evangelie Smyrniotaki. Each swim separate is designed to pair easily with ready-to-wear. We love a bikini top that pulls double duty.

Buy now: Self-Portrait bikini top, $235, [self-portrait-studio.com] (https://www.self-portrait-studio.com/swimwear/floral-printed-draped-bikini-top](https://www.self-portrait-studio.com/swimwear/floral-printed-draped-bikini-top) and matching bottom, $79, self-portrait-studio.com.

Not only does Eres have some of the best-fitting swim, they have some of the chicest. Wear this one during your next desert excursion.

Buy now: Eres bandeau top, $260, farfetch.com and matching Eres bottom, $215, farfetch.com.

Fans of Zimmermann’s girly frocks and swimwear need not worry that the brand is abandoning their pretty prints. But we must admit, this solid color minimal one-piece is a welcome addition to the Zimmermann offerings.

Buy now: Zimmermann strapless swimsuit, $331, farfetch.com.

Known for their sleek and clean designs, Haight bathing suits also offer such a flattering fit. Wear this one poolside or swimming in the ocean, or toss a skirt and heels and head out for seaside dinner.

Buy now: Haight one-piece maillot, $212, modaoperandi.com.

For a sporty-sleek take on swimwear, Skin’s deep red one-piece is a must-have.

Buy now: Skin one-piece bathing suit, $265, netaporter.com.

This low-cut v-neck swimsuit from Gucci is perfect for 4th of July weekend. We love the chic oversized tie at the hip.

Buy now: Gucci swimsuit, $790, farfetch.com.

Chic and sustainable, Mara Hoffman’s maillot is a classic. The sweet ties at the shoulders are just the cherry on top.

Buy now: Mara Hoffman one-piece swim, $250, goop.com.

Little hardware details are what makes this summer’s swimsuits feel so special. We especially love Lisa Marie Fernandez’s tortoise shell buttons and belt on this high-waist bikini.

Buy now: Lisa Marie Fernandez bikini, $395, fwrd.com.

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