Make a splash in some ethical goodness.
Picture this: after spending about 10 minutes reading this article, 6,000kg of fashion items would have been dumped in Australian landfill alone. Another 10 minutes goes by, and another 6,000kg is added to the pile. This is a continuous cycle within our nation’s fashion industry.
With an increasing worry about fashion waste, buying sustainably tends to not be affordable or accessible for every kind of consumer around the globe which makes it almost impossible and overwhelming to be the so-called ‘perfect’ shopper. Though, Geelong’s Ellie Wynhoven has answered our prayers and brought us the best of both worlds with her new sustainable swimwear line Swim By Elly. (Worth noting: “my name is spelt with an ‘ie’ on the end, but I decided to go with ‘y’ for the brand because it looks prettier”, she clarifies)
Currently in her final year of criminology at Deakin University, Ellie has always had a knack for creativity and sewing, so COVID-19 was the perfect outlet to finesse these skills and bring this new conscious project to life.
“The idea for Swim by Elly came from a gap in the market I could see as a consumer who is trying to make a shift to shopping more sustainably. Sustainable fashion, and particularly sustainable swimwear, is often super expensive. As a young woman trying to navigate sustainable fashion, I know that hefty price tags are discouraging and cause sustainable consumerism to be unattainable and unrealistic for many people,” says the 22-year-old.
“By starting Swim by Elly, I wanted to create a range of sustainable swimwear that is affordable and accessible for young girls and women who, like myself, have struggled to find their feet in the sustainable fashion world. Perhaps my brand can be a stepping-stone for young girls and women to start making more sustainable choices.”
Swim by Elly implements every last sustainable detail
“I cut, sew and package all of my swimwear by hand from my home in Geelong – this means every piece is ethically made with lots of love and attention to detail. My swimwear is also fully reversible and are seamless designs that are custom made to order. Made to order means every piece is purposefully made and reduces waste created by not selling stock,” shares Ellie.
Transparency is essential for brands to create trust with their audience, and Ellie gives us the confidence that with her “reduce, reuse, recycle” method, she will deliver ethical practices in all the pieces she creates.
“My swimwear is made of 100% recycled materials. I use ECONYL regenerated nylon – a swimwear material made from nylon waste from landfills and the ocean, such as discarded fishing nets from the bottom of the ocean. Amazingly, not only is my fabric made from recycled materials, but it can also be recycled and remoulded again and again! I also use eco-friendly materials in my packaging – from recycled shipping labels and a compostable mailing satchel down to biodegradable hygiene stickers!”
Fast fashion is detrimental for the future of our environment
“These days we as consumers are addicted to the instant gratification of fast fashion – however fast fashion causes so much environmental damage. Fast fashion items are made cheaply and are designed to be worn once or twice. It is crucial that we choose to shop purposefully and support businesses that are making efforts to be sustainable and reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry.”
“Shopping sustainably means you will reduce your carbon footprint, get a better-quality product that will stand the test of time, and you will be supporting businesses who hold ethical business standards. Sustainable fashion also uses less water, preserves natural resources, and supports fair and safe working conditions!”
Now you can look cute on beach days, but also know that you’re being kind to the planet. A win-win for all.
Shop Swim by Elly via their website and keep up-to-date with the latest news on their Instagram.
