As the warmer months begin to descend on us it is time to get ready to hit the beach again. So, this month, it seemed apt to look at an amazing up and coming design team with some sensational swimwear for both men and women.
The dynamic team at Bond & Fredericks consists of Louise Bond and Margaret Sylvester who have collaborated to create a fresh stylish swimwear range that promises to be one of the hot looks this summer.
Everyone can get their hands on a pair of Speedos or board shorts, but to find swimwear that has a design edge that will please even the most fussy fashionista is a real talent – a talent the Bond & Fredericks girls have.
I sat down with them over coffee to find out the inside story on their move into the ever-competitive swimwear realm.
Mark Reid: Tell me about your personal background?
Lou: I was born in New Zealand and came to Perth at the age of 4. I’ve lived in Perth all my life, apart from a bit of traveling. I’m married with a 2 year old son and I live in the ‘burbs! I grew up in the eighties – some would say the ugliest decade for fashion, but I think there will always be a place for leg warmers and mullets, sometimes even on the same person.
Marg: I completed a Design Diploma in South Africa in 1987… I gained my expertise from the rich culture of my mother country.
Mark: Why did you decide to move into swimwear as your focus for the bond & Frederick’s label?
Lou: I studied design at Bentley TAFE and my first job was at Daneechi as a trainee machinist. I very quickly developed a passion for swimwear – lycra is such a forgiving fabric to work with! I started a swimwear label called Nixie and did quite well but found my workload too much as I was studying commerce at the same time.
Marg: It was a big career change from underwear and swimwear in South-Africa, to leather and other clothing in Perth and then back to lycra again… I had a swimwear label – silver star – when I met Lou at the Perth Fashion Awards. We have the same passion for lycra and love every moment of it!!!
Mark: What inspired your current collection?
Lou: Our current collection was inspired by the glamorous 1950’s. We decided to add more fabric to garments as opposed to cut outs which so many swimwear labels seem to have done for the past 8 years. Our collection includes frills, pleats and lots of bling!
Mark: Swimwear is an extremely competitive market but is crying out for new distinctive designs, which you clearly have – where do you take your point of difference in terms of design from?
Lou: We have tried to steer away from the norm. Our garments are very sophisticated and include design concepts that could be seen in evening wear. We also produce our own prints to offer a very individual look. Our garments are also very wearable – what a strange concept for swimwear!
Marg: The uniqueness is evident in each garment, emphasizing style, comfort for all body shapes from the petite to the fuller figure.
Mark: How are you getting into the market place with your swimwear and making people aware of your designs?
Lou: We intend to hold a launch and lots of parades around Perth. We will be launching our website and doing a huge mail out. We are also looking at going to Rosemount Fashion Week next year.
Mark: Where do you see WA fashion heading in the next few years?
Lou: I see Perth following in the footsteps of Auckland – and that’s not just because I was born there! NZ is putting out some fantastic designers and has been for some time now. I think the isolation factor has a huge influence on local fashion. Our designers offer such a unique style that really sets us apart from the Melbourne/Sydney fashion.
Marg: Hopefully at the high end of the fashion market like Milan. We have lots of talent that is vivid in the fashion field here in W.A.
Mark: Do you see WA being your base in the future or as you expand further will you have to base in the east to continue to grow?
Lou: I will be staying Perth! I don’t want to uproot my family to move over east. I believe Perth has the potential to support designers as they expand. We have some great support networks to help designers such as ArtsWA and WAFIA [WA Fashion Industry Association].
Mark: What trends do you see emerging in the next year in terms of swimwear?
Lou: Lots of rich colors and prints. I think the trends are moving towards more complex designs and away from the simplistic cuts that have been popular in the last few years.
Marg: Hotpants, Plunging neck lines, jewels, and lace-ups will all have a come back.
Mark: Do you think there is a distinct design influence here in WA and does this influence your work when you are putting a new collection together?
Lou: Our wonderful beach culture plays such a huge role in what we wear in Perth. This also means competing with surf brands. We try to put more of a sophisticated edge on our bathers which gives us more scope when designing our ranges.
Marg: We try to incorporate a bit of flair. You just have to try to add something new.
Mark: Anything else that you would like to share with our readers?
Lou: There is a bather out there to suit everyone – don’t be shy!
