In the past few months, I have been seeing African inspired swimwear popping up on my blogroll. Most of them haven’t phased me, mainly the labels are over doing the prints with weird complicated cuts. The combination is like trying to mix oil and water.
Years ago, I worked for a top Australian women’s swimwear label and I believe that they success was partly due to their simple yet classic cuts teamed up with luxurious printed and plain fabrics. When it comes to swimwear, it needs to be simple.
A few days ago, I came across the swimwear label ÒKUN. ÒKUN is the Yoruba word for ‘ocean’, a symbol representing the brand’s vision of becoming a contemporary pan-African fashion brand. Their SS13 collection is infused with the carefree confidence of newly independent West & Central Africa of the 60s & 70s and features traditional Congolese Kuba and Ghanaian Adinkra motifs alongside contemporary Nigerian prints which beautifully offset.
ÒKUN have gone beyond the simplicity and nicely executed the detailing. For example the contrasting buttons on the plain shorts with the fabric lining on the inside. The collection ….. is SIMPLE. That’s what a men’s swimwear collection should be.
SOURCE: ÒKUN
