Founded by Hannah Hayes, Seven Swim is a luxury swimwear brand taking a sustainable approach to crafting timeless pieces that are made by women, just for women. The range of one-piece swimsuits and bikinis are made from an eco-friendly fabric called Amni Soul-Eco, further laminating their stance on sustainability being the new sexy.
Over the past year, collections such as Fall of ’77, Summer Daze, and Seven Swim’s collaboration with Mia Khalifa have pivoted the label to ascend into popularity. The simple designs and super soft material used make the brand perfect for surfing along the beach or basking in the sun while lying poolside. “It’s chic, timeless styles that you can wear year after year,” Hayes emphasizes. Continuously striving amongst the highly-competitive market, the brand has an exciting line-up for the forthcoming year with new designs and prints.
With megastars such as Megan Thee Stallion, Kim Kardashian, and Becky G amongst countless others wearing the stylish ‘kinis, Seven Swim is here to stay. To kick off the new year, we spoke with Hannah in regards to the origins of Seven Swim, upcycling, and plans for future collections in 2022. Read below!
How did the concept of Seven Swim originally come about?
I was a sophomore in college in Florida, obsessed with going to the beach, traveling to tropical destinations, and wearing boutique swimwear from smaller brands. I read an interview with the founder of a popular swim brand of why she started her brand and was instantly inspired. She couldn’t find the bikini she wanted, so she created it. I felt the exact same way. I wanted a comfortable, cheeky, sustainable option that wouldn’t totally break the bank. but it didn’t exist. That’s where the concept was born. Though now we offer many more options than just cheeky bottoms, it was born from genuinely needing that and it not being available anywhere.
What made you decide to make sustainability a main focus of your brand?
Sustainability has been something I’ve been passionate about since high school so that felt like a very natural step for the brand. Everyone knows at this point what a huge polluter the fashion industry is, so to not take it seriously and incorporate it into your buying habits is just rude to the earth.
Can you tell us a little bit more about why the aspect of upcycling is so important in your work and your designs? How does it relate to you design-wise, and also personally?
The sustainability in our swimsuits comes from the fabric being used (Amni Soul Eco) and the way that fabric is produced (low water and energy waste). So, upcycling doesn’t play a huge role in design, however, our amazing factory in Brazil upcycles the leftover fabric into dog beds for their local humane society which is why PETA has certified our factory as PETA-approved cruelty-free and vegan.
How did you find your aesthetic when you were first creating your label and how long did it take for you to find it?
The aesthetic has developed and matured but not changed since the very beginning because it’s very closely related to my own personal aesthetic. It’s minimal cuts and styles, no-frill or ruffles. It’s chic, timeless styles that you can wear year after year (which incorporates into our sustainability as opposed to fast fashion that’s more focused on current trends rather than timeless trends). I love a monochromatic look, and even our prints are made to be highly wearable, flattering, and timeless.
For many women, shopping online is a challenge because sizing always varies. How do you combat this?
I really relate to this as someone who almost exclusively shops from small online brands. That’s why we offer free exchanges and returns for all US orders. I NEVER want someone to feel like they’re stuck with a bikini they don’t want and will never wear! Even though it affects our bottom line, I think this is super important to building trust with our customers.
What are some standout pieces for you this past year and what was the process like designing this latest capsule?
My standout piece from this past year is the Bella Top because I literally cannot keep it in stock! It was my first time using underwire and doing anything structured which really scared me. For a long time, I was against underwire because I always found it uncomfortable, but as I’m trying to design for more body types, I realized it was a necessity for some people. I’m so glad I took the chance though because it’s by far been our best-selling style this year. This latest capsule was the “Fall of ’77” Collection, which was inspired by the iconic prints and styles of the 70s. That’s when bra tops like the Bella really came into fashion.
Being a young designer, what’s the biggest challenge that you face in starting your own label and making a name for yourself in the swimwear industry? Do you have any advice for other young designers that are looking to follow a similar path?
My biggest challenge is just getting the word out there. The boutique swim industry is very oversaturated right now; however, I know I have a product that’s completely unique so it’s just a matter of showing new people our amazing quality. My advice would simply be to persevere. There have been a million moments just this year that I’ve wanted to give it all up, but I won’t because I believe in this brand more than anything I’ve ever done or worked on. It’s that certainty that will make it succeed.
From working with Mia Khalifa to building a loyal community base, what is in store for Seven Swim in 2022?
Working with Mia was a dream come true and definitely a major brand highlight for 2021. In 2022, we have some truly gorgeous collections in the works, including some items not just limited to swimwear come Fall!! Every collection in 2022 will have more intentionality and theme behind it. I love creating an entire world for each collection, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do in 2022. Also, this January 30th we are hosting a lounge and pop-up shop in Miami Beach at the iconic Circa39 hotel. Everyone is welcome, so come out Miami!
