Whether you are looking for barefoot chic or superyacht glamour, luxury swimwear brand LOVE BRAND & Co. offers a diverse range of stylish holiday essentials. YACHT-A-PORTER talks swimwear and superyachts with CEO and Founder Oliver Tomalin.
Why luxury swimwear?
I remember a particular holiday at a friend’s villa in Greece and we were all discussing how someone has to start a new men’s swimwear brand. I was training to be an architect at the time. Fast forward a few years and I decided to pick up that mantle and change direction from designing buildings to designing beachwear. Also in the mix, was the notion that elephants would become extinct in my lifetime, which deeply saddened me. So in 2010 I dived straight in and dedicated a swimwear brand to helping save these magnificent creatures.
What to pack for the ultimate summer superyacht charter?
It may be no surprise that I like to pack LOVE BRAND & Co. swim shorts every time I travel. I like to have a different pair for every day. I also always pack a bunch of our linen shirts, which are so easy and cool to wear both day and night.
Beach to bar – any advice?
It is about timing your transfer well. You don’t want to be caught out by a general move towards the bar from the beach when you have just had a swim. To avoid a soggy-seat, you need quick-dry swimwear or to be dictating things, or both. Our swim shorts are fast-drying as well as extremely soft, perfect to wear in and out of the water. My current favourite design is Elephant Dance - a sophisticated print of repeated elephants in shades of blue that shimmer and dance across the shorts (pictured below).
What accessories would you take to wear during the day?
It’s nice to be able to tell when its lunch time. A good watch helps. I love the Bremont 1918 Limited Edition, which takes elements from planes and celebrates the service of the Royal Air Force. My favourite eyewear brand at the moment is Monc, handmade in Naples.
What trends should we be considering for 2018?
Look out for lots of pastels and tropical prints. We are channelling the tropics in our SS18 Collection Travels to Paradise, using travel and tropical motifs. We are also introducing lavender next Summer in our Classic Linen Shirts. A colour set to trend next year.
You have expanded successfully into the Children’s market. Are there any new areas you plan to venture into?
We love offering the matching swim shorts for boys and we produce little beach bottoms for baby girls too. For the moment we want to focus on what we do best, we want to be known for doing one thing extremely well. Who knows though, in the future we could continue exploring more products for both the beach and on board.
Absolute no no’s on board?
Don’t fall off.
Where is your favourite cruising area?
I love exploring the Greek Islands by boat. Stopping for lunches and swimming in the sea. It’s the Med at its best in my opinion. Since meeting Rose, my wife, I have also got to know the outer islands of the Bahamas, where the water is the bluest on earth.
Favourite yacht?
I remember when the magnificent sailing yacht MALTESE FALCON was first launched. I fell in love with the design and I think she is still my favourite. Here’s to one day chartering IMPROMPTU; I believe she is one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s favourites. He knows better than I?
Bucket list adventure?
David Attenborough’s encounter with mountain gorillas in 1979’s ‘Life on Earth’ is one of my television favourites and since watching it I have wanted to see the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda. Mountain gorillas are on the brink of extinction in the world and they need our support to ensure their future.
Best water toys?
For me nothing beats a good fashioned fast jet ski.
And finally, some of your lines have a nautical theme. What is your inspiration for this?
Each season we introduce new prints inspired by the natural world, the tropics and my favourite things, places and trends. Nautical is a trend that seems to come around every few years. Our timeless nautical designs are always popular. Boys love boats!
For LOVE BRAND & CO's latest collection visit www.lovebrand.com