David Koma Wants To Save Sharks With Sustainable Swimwear

‘Adventurous. Cinematic. Empowering’. Those are the three words David Koma would use to describe his new brand, Let’s Swim. While he’s best known for his daring evening wear, the designer isn’t afraid to show off his versatility by expanding his portfolio into the world of swimwear. Looking to redefine the category with his signature statement-making sex appeal and a commitment to marine conservation, we caught up with the designer to learn all about his new venture.

‘I’ve always been inspired by water. I love being near it, the sound, the colours, and its vastness,’ Koma tells SHOWstudio. Already a favourite for today’s biggest names in pop music, from Beyoncé to Olivia Rodrigo, Koma’s trading red carpets for sandy beaches with his direct-to-consumer brand. And while the designer’s signature sex appeal defines his sleek swimwear that takes a page from 1980s pin-ups, it’s his approach to sustainability that makes Let’s Swim a truly exciting swimwear endeavour.

‘I wanted to prioritise sustainable methods at every step; from how we design and make our products to how we package and deliver them,’ he explains. The brand uses ECONYL, a regenerated nylon created from recycled plastic waste, including fishing nets that would otherwise contribute to polluting the oceans. Along with 97% of the collection crafted from responsibly sourced materials, all the packaging promises to be recyclable.

At the core of the new brand are sharks; a secret passion of Koma’s. ‘Sharks are the rockstars of the ocean. I have always been fascinated by them. I wanted to channel my intrigue into a creative outlet, merging my work with my shark obsession’. It’s only appropriate then that Let’s Swim’s logo would be a teeth-baring shark. ‘They are powerful and graceful yet unexpected creatures. That’s the essence of the Let’s Swim brand.’

Still, it isn’t just Baywatch-inspired swimsuits on bikini models. Let’s Swim transcends swimwear with its commitment to bettering the planet. Along with taking sustainable measures in production, Koma plans to grow the label through community projects and collaborations with shark conservationists and charities.

This collaborative, community approach is something Koma was inspired by with his eponymous label. ‘I have a strong, established community through my own label, and this approach has allowed me to foster an engaged network of advocates who align with Let’s Swim values and mission,’ he says. This notion is evident in his first campaign which was shot on location in Mexico by Cameron Hammond, with top model friends Birgit Kos and Luna Bijl.