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For Ebony Eagles creating pretty pieces of clothing comes easy. Crafting them out of something just plain ugly, however, takes a whole new level of commitment.
But committed to the environment and ethical practice she is, which is why Auguste – the Byron Bay-based label she founded in 2014 – just revealed its first eco-swimwear line as part of the Bask Summer 2018 collection that dropped globally today.
Each fully-lined bikini and one-piece is made from recycled plastic and fishing nets that would have ended up in a landfill at best and in our oceans as a scourge on the environment and its creatures at worst. It goes without saying the four-look set – which drops in two parts in October and November – is cute; the kind of bohemian-chic the Auguste has acquired a reputation and rapidly-growing following for.
“Being an Australian East Coast brand with a team of serious beach lovers, it only made sense that our latest swim range not only looked incredible but also cared for the health of our oceans,” mother-of-two Eagles, who told GRAZIA.
“The new Nautical and Safari swim ranges from our Bask collection were created from Econyl, a recycled nylon. This fabric is made using plastics and fishing lines that were pulled from the oceans, along with fabrics that were bound for landfill. We hope that these shapes and prints will be the go-to pieces for the season that you can feel extra good about wearing.”
GALLERY: THE STRIPED ECO-SWIM COLLECTION (AVAILABLE NOW)
As an added bonus, tests show Econyl is two times more resistant to chlorine, suntan creams, and oils than standard swimwear fabrics, meaning they last longer and are less likely to stain.
This swim line’s not the first time Eagles has inserted a social conscience into her designs. She’s committed her company to a philanthropic initiative called 1% for the Planet that sees that portion of its profits donated to environmental causes such as the Orangutan Land Trust. In 2017, the Protect Our Reef T-shirt initiative fronted by Zippora Seven raised over $50,000 for the Australian Marine Conservation Society and reached close to 10 million people on social media.
The follow-up was another range of limited edition philanthropic tees, with 100 percent of the $59 price tag going directly to UN Women, a United Nations entity responsible for promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality. Gemma Ward fronted the campaign and the hero shirts sold out in a matter of hours.
While a standout thanks to their unique materials, the swim pieces are of course just a portion of the Bask collection, which dropped globally today.
GALLERY: THE LEOPARD-PRINT ECO-SWIM COLLECTION (DROPPING NOVEMBER)
“What I love about BASK is that we’ve created pieces that feel like summer in any decade,” says Eagles.
“It’s vintage and it’s new, it’s exciting and it’s classic… This collection captures the effortlessness we’ve come to be loved for but it’s full of shapes and details that feel fresh to Auguste.
“While there’s a strong coastal influence, we’ve focused on creating pieces with a sense of elegance that moves easily from beachside to the streets of the wearer’s favourite city.”
While past campaign faces have included big-name Australia models Nicole Trunfio, Jess Hart and of course Ward, Bask sees elfin-like German model Isabell Andreeva play visual muse.
GALLERY: THE AUGUSTE ‘BASK’ SUMMER 2018 CAMPAIGN SHOT AT Gili Lankanfushi
Styled by Eagles herself, the two-part campaign was shot in Sardinia by Cameron Hammond, then on an island in the Maldives by Australian photographer Trevor King on retro-look 35mm film rather than a digital camera.
“We couldn’t have chosen a more perfect location for the Summer campaign than the plastic-free paradise of Gili Lankanfushi,” Eagles told us. “Sustainability is at the heart of [the resort]. The buildings are built using sustainably-sourced, eco-friendly materials, the island has a strict no-plastic policy and hosts an eco-centre for the recycling of glass, plastic, aluminum and food waste. The island’s alignment with our vision made it not only a beautiful setting but an ethical one too.”
Auguste’s Bask collection dropped globally today (October 4, 2018). See here for more details.
SHOP THE AUGUSTE ECO-SWIM COLLECTION
Auguste, Nautica Bonnie Bandeau Top, Black and White, $75. SHOP NOW
Auguste, Nautica Bonnie High Waisted Bottoms, Black and White, $75. SHOP NOW
Auguste, Nautica Gidget One Piece in Black and White, $165. SHOP NOW
Auguste, Safari Escape One Piece in Tan, $165. SHOP NOVEMBER 2
Auguste, Safari Bonnie Bandeau Top in Tan, $75. SHOP NOVEMBER 2
Auguste, Safari Bonnie High Waisted Bottoms in Tan, $75. SHOP NOVEMBER 2
