Melbourne menswear label Leopold is launching its first womens line this summer and star of the collection the swimwear collection Diving Belle.
Based on the colours of opals and the elegant swimwear demands of designer Boyd Parry's sister Ellenore Parry, it's an impressive foray into the world of swim by two men who are used to designing for stylish gents.
One half of Leopold, Shandor Gancs says "The whole range really came about because a lot of our female friends and Ellenore in particular wanted swimwear that wasn't just the little triangle bikini. They also told us that while they might like going to the pool or the beach, they don't necessarily always swim, so they want to look glam while they're lying around."
Ellenore insisted on pieces that could be worn straight out to lunch or a bar following a beach jaunt. In an ideal world, you'd throw on a long loose skirt or one of the Diving Belle kaftans and swan straight from your poolside cocktails to the resort seafood smorgasbord for an oyster or twenty. I can see the little red top working a treat just so.
Learning how to design for and flatter the female form was a serious learning curve for Leopold. They seem to have worked out all our bumps, curves and variations so the range features stunning ruched high-waisted pants, long singlets and supportive tops alongside skimpier pieces. Another part of their swimwear education was fabric - this range uses thick sports-grade lycra which adds much-needed supportive and control.
Gancs finds that Leopold customers are often people looking to take home a souvenir of Melbourne, even to Sydney. If only he could package up a Calipo, a pair of thongs and a Chiko roll with a Diving Bell cossie, Leopold could sell the tourists a complete Melbourne summer pack.
Prices:
Tops from $69 - $89
Pants $89 - $99
One-pieces $150
Stockist:
Leopold online
Leopold, Shop 1, City Square, 44-86 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000 +61.3.9662.9095