Aussie brand Full Bums Swimwear’s cheeky bikini solution

The bikini ban debate that caused a stir across Australia could resurface after one company’s cheeky solution to the issue.

A local swimwear company is taking “full” advantage of the nationwide G-string debate which began on the Gold Coast – growing its line of bum covering cossies to international acclaim.

Gold Coast businesswoman Ashya McDonald is taking her Full Bums Swimwear line to the USA. Her international breakthrough comes in the wake of the intense debate this year regarding a controversial call for a G-string “bikini ban”.

Earlier this year celebrated charity worker Ian Grace sent a letter to Mayor Tom Tate requesting women in bikinis with “bare bums” be banned from the beach, saying they were portraying themselves as sex objects.

Ashya McDonald and her company Full Bums Swimwear is taking on the US market with her full-brief swimwear line. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Mr Tate dismissed the controversial call saying a ban on the two-piece swimsuit would be a recipe for disaster.

While Mrs McDonald embraces the G-string or a “cheeky cut”, she’s created a brand that tailors to women who want a little more coverage.

“Our brand isn’t an anti the G-string or a cheeky cut,” she said.

“There’s a place for it and women should wear what they want – but we also recognise that there’s a lot of women that don’t want to have their bottom hanging out or wear a cheekier cut and still have it covered.”

Full Bums Swimwear at Miami Swim Week. Picture: Supplied

Full Bums Swimwear, launched in September 2021, returned from Miami Swim Week in the US this month where Mrs McDonald represented the country as the only Australian out of 50 designers taking part in the event – Flying Solo Miami Swim Week.

Mrs McDonald said the demand has been overwhelming, selling out of the first collections back in 2021 within two weeks.

“The whole reason I started the business was when I moved to the Gold Coast I found it really hard to find swimwear that was still affordable, that had coverage on the bottom,” she said.

Full Bums Swimwear at Miami Swim Week. Picture: Supplied

“It started as a joke initially then I realised I was onto something and it’s been tracking really well.”

The Currumbin Waters resident said sales have doubled each year with demand for full bottom wear surging.