The founder of high-profile swimwear label Caravana has resurfaced, two years after winding up the company due to a “volatile” manufacturing base.
Established in 2004 and stocked in leading department stores such as David Jones and Liberty in London, Caravana was a luxury women’s swimwear label based in Pakistan.
The Australian company had set up a network of ethical factories in the country employing local female makers, before shutting down in 2008.
Founder Kirsten Ainsworth has revealed the reason.
“The decision was a sad one and was primarily influenced by the challenge of growing the business in what was, and still is, a volatile market,” Ainsworth said.
The designer has since worked with luxury womenswear label Temperley and high street chain All Saints in the UK. She said she was inspired to launch her own men’s swimwear label after noticing a gap in the market upon her return to Sydney.
“The Rocks Push is designed for men who want to wear a stylish, functional beach short that fits in with their spontaneous summer lifestyle, perhaps going beach to bar, boat to barbecue, beach to cafe,” she said.
The summer 2010/11 collection features three styles, six colours and six sizes, with the styles named after beaches located in Sydney. The Balmoral is priced at $124.95 while the Bondi is priced at $134.95. Manufactured in China through an ISO-accredited factory, the debut range has secured 15 stockists nationwide.
The brand is named after a larrikin gang based in Sydney’s The Rocks district in the late 1800s.
Assia Benmedjdoub