Katelyn Hill is the designer behind NÜERA, she grew up on the coast of Southern California and has been surfing since age 8. She started the brand in an attempt to bring the best of high fashion and high function together in swimwear and surf wear designs that celebrate the female figure.
Katelyn decided to make her own line because she felt that there hadn’t been enough innovation since 1946 when the first bikini was designed:
“I have never been able to find a swimsuit that I absolutely love so I started making them myself : )”
Rita Hayworth in a swimsuit, 1946
The NÜERA suits are handmade in Encinitas, California by Katelyn and one other seamstress using the highest quality of neoprene. The material used is actually a variation of neoprene called neospan, which is an extra elastic kind of neoprene sheet with a very soft feel.
We wanted to know more about how Katelyn got started and she answered some questions for us, here is the full interview:
What kind of woman do you design for?
I created my collection of six different styles to offer something to every type of woman and make them feel beautiful, the athlete, the fashionista, the surfer bum, the trendy mommy, and women who are looking for extra coverage and support.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
I find inspiration from the past and the future. The new era is the perfect balance between retro styles and innovative styles giving it a very contemporary, new age look. I am inspired by the golden era of swimwear in the 40’s and 50’s along with what is happening in the high fashion world and applying it to swimwear. I am inspired by the actual act of swimming since I test out every style I design to make sure that it is compatible with the water. I only sell a suit if it can withstand surfing, diving and intensive swimming without slipping off causing a nip-slip or unwanted mooning!
Were you always interested in fashion or was it the need for better clothes what got you into it?
I have ALWAYS been interested in fashion. What I wore was very important to me starting at a very young age. I remember being 5 years old and wearing waste belts over my dresses to change the silhouette of my look. I originally wanted to go to fashion design school, but it didn’t feel right to me at the time I was moving on to college. I wound up getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Art Center College of Design and starting my swimwear company while still in school, using my fine arts and illustration background to create my brand.
What do you look for when choosing fabrics?
I first look for the feel. I only chose fabrics that will feel wonderful on your body so fabrics that are extremely soft and offer a lot of stretch. I use neoprene because it is extremely soft, stretchy, comfortable, and super supportive without needing additional materials like underwire or padding. I also look for materials that will be durable and last long. I have spent way too much money on bikinis that fall apart before the summer is over so I make sure that my suits will last a long time.
What is your favorite thing about surfing?
My favorite thing about surfing is connecting with the natural rhythms of the ocean. It’s the most refreshing and rejuvenating activity that I have ever done so to be able to feel that feeling daily is amazing.
Tell us something interesting about yourself
I first started using neoprene when I was 18 and I decided to make myself a mermaid tail. Growing up in the water every day I have always been obsessed with the idea of being a mermaid so I finally handmade a fully functional tail for myself. I still have the tail and I swim with it occasionally! : )
Katelyn Hill is a real life Mermaid
This is our favorite piece from the collection.
But we love this one too ♥
There is an open discussion on the environmental effects of Neoprene and wetsuits materials. The truth is that there is not a 100% green solution and, as Patagoina explains in a 2012 report, there is still a lot of work to do in order to develop a material that does not have the environmentally undesirably consequences of neoprene.
There are two main kinds of neoprene: oil-based and limestone. Some say that the latter is preferable, but the truth is that both of them have similar effects in the environment.
Like oil, limestone is a limited, nonrenewable resource that is mined from the earth with cranes, backhoes and dump trucks the size of houses. The crushed limestone is fed into a furnace and heated to extremely high temperatures (over 3,600º F) in an energy-intensive process (Patagonia, 2012, p.1).
Ultimately, the reason why we like this brand, aside from being beautifully made and handcrafted in the USA, is because of its durability. At Fashionhedge, we advocate for the strategy of “less is more”, when it comes to clothes, that also means that we prefer high quality garments that will truly withstand the elements. We have not yet found a product in the market that has similar qualities and that’s why we believe this is special. Like many independent designers, Katelyn had an idea and was courageous enough to make it happen, creating a great product and taking action to fill a void in the fashion marketplace, efforts that should be applauded and encouraged.
Neoprene can be upcycled in a variety of ways, this article offers 5 exciting ways in which neoprene can be used for something fun proving it doesn’t have to end up in a landfill. There are several companies making bracelets, laptop cases and new wetsuits out of old neoprene based items.
Nüera swim is on Instagram and Twitter.
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