New swimwear line a run(a)way success

MELBOURNE: Don't let the superfluous name fool you – boutique womenswear label Runway Lovers is Aussie as.

Melbourne-based founders Emma Simpson and Merinda Jackson concocted the brand's first spring/summer collection over a beer at St Kilda Pub.

"We started by making the kinds of dresses that suited our lifestyle and what our friends wanted," Simpson said. "Before we knew it, we had a range."

The success of the pair's 2006/2007 ready-to-wear line, which currently wholesales to over 30 stockists in Australia including Sydney's Tuchuzy boutique and mycatwalk.com.au, has prompted them to venture into swimwear.

Thompson, who describes herself and Jackson as "beach babies", believes she is well equipped for the challenge.
"I did swimwear when I studied at [Melbourne University] RMIT and really enjoyed it," she said. "The collection of bikinis was inspired by cotton favourites from toddler days."

Ginghams, cotton broderie anglais, seer suckers and cotton cluny trims with satin ribbons add to the "sweetness" of the debut range, Thompson added.

"The fact they're 100% cotton, non-stretch, limited edition and all hand-made makes it different to other swimwear lines. A lot of focus was put into the fit because of the non-stretch fabric so they're great flattering shapes."
Thompson said although the swimwear collection was intended to compliment Runway Lovers' womenswear offering, it's now taking on a life of its own.

"This season was really like a test run for us but the press on [the swimwear] has been great and there's been such a good response to them on our website. Swimwear is definitely an area we will grow in."
Priced from $160 to $180, the locally manufactured line is exclusively available through soluxurious.com.au.

By Assia Benmedjdoub