Our Journey Toward a Natural Fiber Future
My name is Brit and I am the founder, designer, and pattern maker of BeachCandy. I have been manifesting BeachCandy since I was 20 years old and I still can’t believe that we just finished our 12th season in business.
BeachCandy has an incredible slow fashion history that can be viewed on our TikTok account.
The BeachCandy journey began when I started taking sewing lessons at a local fabric shop in my early teens. I was fascinated and fell in love with the art form of creating garments from raw fabric and engineered patterns.
My passion never ended as I continued to learn and sharpen my skills throughout my high school years. Eager to perfect my skills, I was accepted into the Pratt Institute and pursued a bachelor of fine arts.
My Early Years as a Fashion Designer
While at Pratt I learned how to design and create a variety of high-quality garments. From hand stitched tailored sports coats to pants and evening wear, I was hungry to learn it all. But it was not until I sewed my first swimsuit one stormy day in Brooklyn that my deepest love affair with fashion was born.
In fact, I trademarked the name ‘BeachCandy’ my junior year of college. I knew I wanted to promote change in a broken lack-luster industry that did not provide women with the confidence they were starving for from swimwear.
From the very start, BeachCandy has been in the business of helping women find their highest self in a swimsuit.
After graduating with honors, I moved back to California and began to build my vision. Only 3 years later in 2011, BeachCandy Swimwear opened its doors to the world.
I have learned so much throughout this journey since our start, working with artisans in our local California area with our ethical production hub in Los Angeles. I am proud of what I have accomplished so far in the first decade or so, but I know there is so much more to come.
In a previous Wellness Wednesday blog and social campaign, we spoke up about the toxicity of fashion and how synthetic fiber is one of the top pollutants on our planet.
A New Chapter with a New Calling to 'Be The Change'
Recently, I have started going through the process of shedding needless poisonous possessions slowly, diligently, with the hope that nothing discarded ends up wasting away in a landfill. This new chapter of life has become a strong mix of designer meets monk-adjacent minimalism for a while.
As an expert pattern-maker, I have a strong tactile experience with fashion. This is the profound passion that inspired me to move across the country to New York City at 17, attend Pratt, and become a technical designer in the first place.
When you wear a BeachCandy, it grips and supports you in a way I have never experienced from another suit out there. Our precise craftsmanship ensures that every woman finds their dream swimsuit with unparalleled confidence.
BeachCandy strives for elegance, style, and sophistication through each of our swimsuits. We value quality over everything focused on forever reducing our carbon footprint.
BeachCandy has become a leader in American designer swimwear and now we are aiming to lead the way as one of the best organic clothing brands. We have been rooted in a decade of history crafting custom swimwear for women around the world.
From my lifelong experience within the fashion industry, I believe we are starved for authentic clothing. Made with natural high-quality fiber that performs, fits like a glove, and is crafted with attention to every beautiful detail.
Looking into 2023, as an Ethical Designer in Fashion...
I plan to do even better for our planet and our products as we create a masterful natural fiber collection that is unparalleled in the world today.
The Importance of Natural Fibers
As we do away with synthetic fibers, a few examples of natural fibers are wool, cotton, hemp, bamboo, and silk.
Natural organic materials are better for the environment because they are made from renewable and biodegradable materials. Additionally, natural fibers have a reduced environmental impact as they do not utilize chemicals in their production like synthetic fibers do.
Where Do Natural Fibers Originate From?
Natural fibers are made from natural raw products that can be classified according to their origin. This means that wherever the fiber is gathered from then that would be its origin. There are two main origins of natural fibers: plants and animals.
Plant-based origins include:
- Seed
- Fruit
- Bast
- Stalk
- Leaf
- Cane
- Grass
- Reed
Animal-based origins include:
- Wool
- Silk
BeachCandy Shifts Towards Organic Fashion | Video
Top 5 Reasons to Shift Your Style to Natural Fiber
Natural fibers are not only good for the environment but they are also good for you. This is because natural fibers are:
- Breathable (antimicrobial / antibacterial)
- Hypoallergenic
- Responsible choice
- Sustainable and renewable
- Heat-responsive
- Breathable
Fabrics made using natural fibers are more comfortable against the skin. These fabrics have a high absorption quality so they will not store bacteria and fungi. This high-quality absorption allows for ventilation through the fabric which leaves you feeling dry.
- Hypoallergenic
Natural fabrics are naturally hypoallergenic and have antibacterial properties which add another layer of protection to your skin.
Our skin absorbs everything so when we wear clothing that is made with chemicals it can lead to damage to our skin. Synthetic fabrics could cause rashes, skin irritation, disrupt hormones, and may promote disease in the body.
- Responsible Choice
Natural fibers are produced by agriculture. The production of natural fibers allows millions of people all over the world to become employed.
Natural fiber clothing is a great investment. The clothes are made with high-quality materials which will last you a lifetime. This will save you money in the long term.
Unlike synthetic fibers that trap odors and bacteria, natural fabrics require fewer washes. This will keep your clothing looking new.
- Sustainable and Renewable
Natural fabrics decompose harmlessly once they have reached the end of their life. Since these materials are naturally occurring, their production is less harmful to the environment.
The use of natural fibers reduces pollution in our oceans. When synthetic fabrics are washed, millions of plastic microfibers are released into the ocean. Since natural fibers require fewer washes this will no longer occur, especially because natural fibers do not have any plastic or chemicals in them.
- Heat-Responsive
Natural fibers have a high endurance to heat. Since synthetic fibers contain plastics and chemicals, they melt with exposure to heat. Additionally, poisonous gasses are released when synthetic fibers burn.
In order to properly make an effective segue into a cleaner and eco-friendly company, we want to rid ourselves of mainstream fashion industry norms. This way we can have a fresh new start using only the best and most natural sustainable materials that will benefit our planet.
"Let’s work together for less plastic on our beaches and bodies so we can truly shine from within as we stand for change."
Effective immediately, all styles are discontinued as we jumpstart into a whole new world. This is your last chance to own these classic BeachCandy styles including our famous Swarovski hand-beaded swimsuits. Shop now to own one of the greatest swimsuits for womankind and support this effort.
Join us from the start on a raw journey to the unknown armed with the belief that we can do better. BeachCandy will be taking the season to reshape the natural fiber (sustainable fabrics) future of BeachCandy. We invite you to follow along and learn with us as we embark on this eco earth-friendly adventure.
With deep gratitude, Brit B.,
Founder & designer, BeachCandy Swimwear