Hakea was born in response to the lack of stylish, sustainable and functional surf wear on the market. Since she launched her swim label three years ago, business has been growing steadily for Casey Eastwell.

In that time she’s developed her own signature mix of clean silhouettes that fill the gap in women’s surf wear for pieces that are both flattering, functional and versatile; an antidote to the products which have come from a heavily male-dominated industry.

Even the first bikini was designed by a man, French designer Louis Reard, made out of a scant 30 inches of fabric of which he declared a two-piece suit wasn’t a genuine bikini ‘unless it could be pulled through a wedding ring.'

Designed by women for women, Hakea is both elegant and practical, whether you surf or not.

In lieu of neon colours and barely-there bikinis are timeless pieces which transition effortlessly from water to land. Think clean lines that compliment curves (or accentuate where required), one-pieces to pair with pants and skirts, supportive tops that won’t stretch thin with wear, and earthy colours which suit all skin shades.

Hugging in all the right places, the fits are thoughtfully designed to support the diversity of the female form.

Hakea pieces are made from ECONYL regenerated nylon and are upf 50+, taking into consideration the ever-growing fast fashion market which puts a huge strain on the environment.

“We wanted our most recent shoot in Byron Bay to show how the pieces can be styled and to open up the conversation around creating a curated sustainable wardrobe. We’re encouraging women to buy less and invest in quality pieces that are easy to wear, because something you feel good in is likely a piece you will wear for more than one season,” founder Casey Eastwell said.

Recently partnering with 1% for the planet, Casey has identified a connection between creating swimwear that makes women feel good and sustainability.

“If you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing, you’re going to spend more time in the surf or by the water and care more for that environment.”

Surfers are some of the most passionate groups protecting the ocean.

Environmentalists like David Attenborough also acknowledge this connection with spending time in nature and caring for it, stating, “No one will protect what they don’t care about and no one will care about what they’ve never experienced.”

Casey is cultivating that connection through comfortable, functional pieces; “If you’re worried about falling out of your bikini on a wave” she says, “you’re less likely to get out and surf.”

Rejecting the status quo of transient trends and fitting into the four collections a year model, Hakea’s styles are trans-seasonal — modified only to improve and expand on styles.

Casey is currently working on a range of Yulex wetsuits, an eco-friendly plant based alternative to neoprene, transferring the same aesthetics and functionality as her swimwear. Due to launch next year.

Hakea pieces are coveted by mothers, daughters and grandmothers.