From the moment Annette Kellerman invented the streamlined one-piece swimming costume in 1905, it became an iconic fashion piece. Then the bikini came along, as did the rush to tan and bare as much skin as possible. In a stunning return to classic summer style, and a nod to the fashion of sun safe practicality, Brisbane-based SunSoaked Swim and Resort is reviving the one-piece this season.

SunSoaked was born from founder and designer Kate Davis Steer’s own experience. When her daughter was young she went to buy a ‘rashie’ for a beach holiday and was disappointed at not being able to find anything with a hint of style. Having a background in design and fashion, Kate’s passion culminated in the creation and development of SunSoaked sun protective swimwear. Kate’s first priority was to re-invent the traditionally masculine and sporty swim shirt into something much more feminine and appealing to women.

Coining the term ‘swim top’ Kate’s design incorporated the practicalities of a sun protective garment with a fashion aesthetic. The swimwear label has now announced that after only seven weeks on the shelves of Sunburn, the one-piece range was popular enough to sell out. Initially the brand was only sold locally in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, but the heightened interest has allowed the brand to expand nationally, and internationally.

SunSoaked’s Spring Summer 2017/18 Collection – La Dolce Vita – has been created out of UPF 50+ chlorine resistant premium Italian Lycra. The line features more than 60 statement print and colour pieces across the UPF 50+ swimwear and UPF 25+ resort wear collection, with five exclusive, custom-created prints.