Camilla and Marc mix business and relaxation with their latest swimwear range
A Sydney design duo have partnered with a swimwear brand for a range using a pattern only found on the label’s chic conservative corporate wear favoured by Meghan Markle. But experts are worried. TAKE OUR POLL.
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First office work wear got casual, but now stuffy business attire is bouncing back — all the way to the beach.
Shunning bright colours, Sydney sibling design duo Camilla and Marc has partnered with swimwear brand Ephemera for a range using a grey plaid-style pattern usually found on the label’s line of chic conservative corporate wear favoured by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
And experts warn it could suck the relaxation right out of an afternoon on the sand.
Psychologist Sarah McMahon said the new trend would make it more difficult for women to enjoy their down time.
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“It would be wonderful if the beach was one place where women could be ‘off duty’ however sadly these swimmers remind us that this could not be further from the truth,” she said.
Made from Italian swim Lycra, the Laced Back One Piece Swimsuit in Check retails for $300, while the bikini version of the swimsuit will set you back $315.
Ephemera designer Nicole Banning said the check print was a hit with fashionistas who liked a “refined, modern and sophisticated” look in the office, or on the beach.
“It’s an unexpected twist to put a suiting fabric on swimwear but the check print is so ironically Camilla and Marc and is having a moment in ready to wear so it made sense to translate that trend into the swimwear line,” Ms Banning said.
Ms McMahon is not convinced.
“The juxtaposition of business style fashion for the beach may appear somewhat ironic when the beach is one of the few remaining ‘work free zones’ in this digital age of hot desks and flexible working conditions,” she said.
“Ultimately the reality is that women’s bodies are still political statements and as these swimmers remind us, big business.”
However psychologist Sandy Rea said fashion should be “open and interpretative”.
“Many women may enjoy the synchrony between work and play,” she said.
Since they founded their label 15 years ago, brother and sister team Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Topper have dressed some of the world’s most famous women with Margot Robbie, the Kardashians and Meghan all wearing their pieces.
The pair enjoyed a huge boost in sales after Meghan wore one of the brand’s $699 navy blazers in April.
And not all the new swimwear is so board room inspired.
Another Ephemera design in the new collaborative swim line was worn by Jennifer Lawrence in the movie Red Sparrow, after costume designer Trish Summerville bought nine swimsuits from the Sydney designer online.
“It quickly became our bestseller,” Banning said.
Originally published as Camilla and Marc mix business and relaxation with their latest swimwear range
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