Aqua Sphere has unveiled its new swimwear collection for 2017. Continuing its dedication to fit, function and fashion, the new swimwear line integrates exciting advanced fabric technologies, including the exclusive chlorine resistant and eco-friendly Repreve fabric, and its ‘French design team has packed the women’s and men’s collections with fresh fashion-forward detailing.’
In addition to enticing styling, the need for quality, durable fabric in a swimwear collection is critical. Whether the fitness swimmer is in a pool or open-water, the suit faces a harsh environment that can include chlorine, salt, sand and sun. In terms of eco-friendly performance, Aqua Sphere already offers a Vita collection which provides chlorine-resistance, UV protection and shape retention.
Now for 2017 the team is adding an entire new eco-friendly collection – available across a variety of styles and colours for women, men, and children – which is made from the innovative recycled and exclusive fibre – Repreve.
Repreve is made from recycled plastic bottles. Plastic bottles labeled with #1 on the bottom have the same chemistry make-up as polyester known as PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Repreve’s proprietary process, pioneered in 2009, allows it to transform PET bottle flakes into Repreve fibre.
Plastic bottles are collected, chopped, ground, then melted and reformulated into Repreve ‘chips’, which are then extruded into Repreve recycled fibres that are then used in thousands of different fabrics and products available globally.
Aqua Sphere’s textile team has partnered with Repreve to go one step further – to create a Repreve recycled fabric that is chlorine resistant as well. Combining Repreve with chlorine-resistant fabric has resulted in an innovative, exclusive fabric from Aqua Sphere… ‘which is a totally unique offering to the fitness swimmer and an industry first: swimwear which delivers both chlorine durability and is eco-friendly.’
“We’re very pleased to be able to incorporate this amazing Repreve recycled textile into our swimwear and we know our consumers will be very excited about it as well,” said Todd Mitchell, Business Line Manager at Aqua Sphere. “Since Repreve was introduced, over four billion recycled plastic bottles have been used in making quality garments. Aqua Sphere is proud to launch this technology in the swimwear market.”
Aqua Sphere classifies women fitness swimmers into three segments – Lap Swimmers, Water Exercisers and Outdoor Adventure Swimmers. All of Aqua Sphere’s swimsuits are designed for durability, comfort and style, but then specific fit and function elements are integrated into each category e.g. special thermo-bonded shoulder and bra strap systems appear in selected suits to give enhanced comfort and quick and easy adjustment and fastening.
Aqua Sphere notes that the Lap Swimmer demands light shaping, open backs and shelf bras. The Water Exerciser wants more coverage and shaping, with higher backs, lower legs, more substantial bust support and tummy control, and the Outdoor Adventure Swimmer wants even more coverage for warmth and protection from the sun and chafing.
“The Aqua Sphere woman wants to look and feel good and she uses water as a means of maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” said Lindsey Taylor, Aqua Sphere’s Swimwear Product Manager. “She wants to be stylish when she exercises and doesn’t want to compromise fashion for function.”
The 2017 collection boasts an extensive colour palette – from deep, calm botanic greens and oceanic blues, bright vibrant purples and pinks to elegant, edgy metallics. Aqua Sphere’s team of designers are keen to incorporate the very latest fashion trends into suit detailing, textures, patterns and colour palettes, bringing a level of styling to the collection which they argue isn’t found across other fitness swimwear.
“This year we decided to include some new details coming from the red carpet,” said Luca Armillotta, Swimwear Designer. “We added a type of heathered fabric-style called chinè and we used it in two different styles. One is made to have a sporty look with matte colour and the second is a little bit more glamorous, with silver and gold flashy details on a black glossy fabric.”
In addition to the unique material applications, other fashion trend details include mesh inserts, piping and stitch details combined with colour inserts, and binding and tapes, all of which serve to define the silhouette and ‘add distinctive flair to suits that stand out in a crowd.’
These style trends have been pulled into the new men’s line as well. “For the men’s collection, we extrapolated some of the new fashion concepts and added them into the men’s suits, so we have subtle sparkling details on belts or piping to create something that gives a little bit more of a flashy effect,” said Luca Armillotta.
In addition to the more sophisticated styles, the new men’s line also offers more length options for the 2017 collection.
