Alaïa Introduces Swimwear Collection

Creative director Pieter Mulier pays homage to the brand's iconic history.

By SHELBY YING HYDE - published 14 Dec 2021

Since opening its first atelier in Paris during the late '70s, fashion brand Alaïa has been revered in the industry for designing clothes that highlight the shape of a woman's body. From the brand's use of luxe yet flexible fabrics to its figure-hugging silhouettes, very few capture curves quite like the storied maison.

Today, under the creative direction of designer Pieter Mulier, the iconic brand is lending that same iconic approach to a new collection of swimwear, the brand shares with BAZAAR exclusively. Paying homage to its roots, the Parisian house has created a nostalgic yet relevant lineup of bathing suits. Some of the collection's instantly recognizable details include studding, eyelet, zips, leather, and its signature open-knit design.

As for the product itself, fans can expect retro silhouettes like high-cut one-pieces and bolero-style "swimming" jackets, which offer a chic alternative to classic cover-ups. Other items include a two-piece bandeau bikini with open-knit cutouts and a longline midi skirt to match. Each style comes in white, sky blue, dark green, maroon, and, of course, red.

In celebration of Mulier's inaugural swimwear collection at the helm of the luxury house, the brand released a super glam campaign. Shot and directed by the famed Albert Moya, the video transports viewers to a tropical destination while subtly nodding toward the details of the collections. (The brand's all-caps logo splattered at the bottom of the pool is a nice finishing touch.) The collection will hit Net-a-Porter and Bergdorf Goodman in the coming weeks and is available now on Alaia's website.

For those who are ready to take home a piece of the collection, the full line is currently available for purchase online at maison-alaïa.com.

This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.