Making a Splash

After a series of successful pop-ups across Australia and Hong Kong, eco-conscious swimwear brand Cosmo Crew Kids is coming stateside for Spring ’20. Buoyed by the growing demand for sustainable swimsuits, Australian co-founders Nicci Chalmers and Sarah Wilkinson are targeting resort areas first.

“We are strong believers in the anti-fast fashion movement, so we created a brand that gives the sustainability experience to children while protecting the environment and encouraging outside play,” Chalmers says.

With the exception of the brand’s beach shorts, which are 100-percent organic cotton, every Cosmo Crew style is made with Italian Carvico. A combination of Lycra Xtra Life and Econyl, the unique material comes from recycled fibers such as fishing nets and plastic bottles recovered from the ocean. What’s more, every garment includes UPF 50+ protection and great resistentance to chlorine, sand, sunscreen and oils.

“It’s refreshing to see more buyers asking about non-toxic dyes and where and how garments are made,” Chalmers says, adding the key to any eco-friendly brand’s success is offering superior quality at an affordable price point. “Not many brands retail between $40 and $60 and use eco-friendly fabric that lasts through kids’ outdoor adventures,” she says. “My kids are still wearing our first prototypes without any fading or changes to the shape.”

While the message about sustainable design is serious business, Cosmo Crew’s designs are all fun. For example, this season’s Deep Sea Disco collection offers an upbeat ocean theme of bright tropical colors and nautical details. “It’s a cheerful ode to keeping the oceans clean and highlighting the importance of reducing plastic in our lives,” Chalmers says. Looking ahead to Spring ’20, the Seasonal Sway collection invites kids to dance in the rain and meander through meadows with designs inspired by the magic of Mother Nature. Reflecting all four seasons, the collection comes in a wide range of winter blues to spring florals on board shorts to bikinis.   

“What’s better than having great style is the feeling you’re giving back,” Chalmers says. “We’re proud to offer parents the opportunity to purchase the summer fashion they love while contributing to the cleaner future their kids deserve.”