The Thousands

Swimwear designers must be a special kind of genius. Not like, up there with Amy Poehler or Stephen Hawking obviously, but probably on a level with the street smarts of Joey Jeremiah. Because like the best dawgs on the street they work with what they’ve got: even if that is a piece of cloth roughly the size of the National Flag of Lilliput.

Sydney-based duo Carlos Aviles and Bonnie Coumbe of Seventh Wonderland would definitely be nearing the top of their kerbside class. Since Bonnie upcycled a 70s crushed black lycra number when she was 13 to the label’s 2008 debut at Miami Swim Fashion Week, the lines have been clean and strong, with whiffs of Art Deco, iconic London retailer Biba and Jerry Hall-itude. The fashun world seems to be taking note, too – the ’kinis and onesies are now sold at American Rag and Shopbop and have been featured in Harpers fricking Bazaar.

Spring Summer 11/12, ‘Serafina’, is full of cut-out details, buckles, ruching, gingham prints, contrasting ochre and pink tones, leopard print lace-ups (nice!), even some matching dresses and skirts so you can pretend you might actually one day attend a function that has a matching clothes-swimwear dress code.

Overall, a seriously smart way to cover up your funny bits.