Black VoicesPaving The Wayswimwearswimsuit

15 Bomb-Ass Swimwear Lines Designed By Black Women

Get into this summer's hottest swimsuits.
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Black Voices Editor, HuffPost

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Fantastic news: Summer is right around the corner!

If you’re lucky, that means a slew of pool party invites, vacation plans or maybe even lazy evenings in a jacuzzi while sipping on a mojito. Perhaps, even a watergun fight, too?

Regardless of your summer agenda, you probably want to look fly and fabulous while soaking up the sun. So why not plan your slayage early and support a black-owned business at the same damn time?

We’ve rounded up nine of this summer’s most stylish swimwear lines owned by black women that will have your homegirls asking where you found your suit.

Heat things up this summer with a swimsuit from one of these bomb-ass designers.

Andrea Iyamah Swim
Andrea Iyamah Swimwear is begging for you to frolic beachside in its vibrant prints and elegant designs.

Buy it here.
GabiFresh
Blogger GabiFresh helped redefine the idea of being "bikini-ready" with this body-positive line. Ranging from sizes 12 to 24, these swimsuits are bold, sexy and fabulous.

Buy it here.
Asherah Swimwear
Created by model Cheryl Jones, Asherah Swimwear has the confident and artful pieces your vacation deserves. Become the Goddess of the Sea in one of these gorgeous suits.

Buy it here.
Olori Swim
This line creates unique, handmade swimsuits with Kente, Ankara and dashiki fabrics. Olori Swim, formerly Red Star Collection, is perfect for embracing your inner queen.

Buy it here.
Mint Swim
Created by reality star Draya Michelle, Mint Swim's sophisticated suits are modern, sexy and stylish. It's perfect for tapping into your inner-Instagram model while on vacay.

Buy it here.
Allusions by A.Lekay Swimwear
Specializing in high-waisted swimwear, Altrichia Cook created this line because she wanted to cover up her stomach after giving birth to her first child. But don't mistake this line as something that's exclusively for moms because it's for any woman looking to feel confident and empowered, Cooks told Cosmopolitan. Even Nicki Minaj sported this swimwear last year.

Buy it here.
Rue 107
Founded by New York City designer Marie Jean-Baptiste, Rue 107 creates bright, fun suits with more than enough personality to turn heads at the beach.

Buy it here.
NAKIMULI
NAKIMULI swimwear is full of spunk and attitude. The beautiful designs are guaranteed to command any pool party.

Buy it here.
Monif C
Monif C is a plus-sized shop based in New York. Its swimwear line, Sea by Monif C, comes in a variety of gorgeous one-piece and two-piece sets.

Buy it here.
BFyne Swimwear
Created by Nigerian designer Bukola Adeyer, BFyne is a head-turning swim line unique for their creatively edgy cut-outs. Confidently rock their bold swimsuits at the beach or poolside.

Buy it here.
Ashanti Swimwear
This swimwear line was created by a Ghanaian family who's youngest member, Yasmeen, noticed the African print swimsuits she saw on models weren't widely accessible. So she went into business with her older brother, Dexter, to make creative and authentic swimsuits with kente prints and African symbols that originate from the ancient royal kingdom of the Ashanti.

Buy it here.
Diarrablu Swim
Senegalese fashion Designer Diarra Bousso combined her academic background in mathematics with fashion to create her new swimwear line, Infinity. "I wanted to highlight Senegalese sartorialism through the celebration of our traditional tie-dyed fabrics, also called 'thioub' and generally worn as boubous, while still being practical and relevant for the modern consumer who wants to look regal while enjoying her day at the beach," Bousso said in a statement.

Buy it here.
Destination Swimwear
Racquel Simone founded Destination Swimwear with the wanderlusting woman in mind. Inspired by her travels, Simone's designs are customized to perfectly fit your future vacation plans.

Buy it here.
Ofuure
Founded by Tehilah Abakasanga in 2015, Ofuure celebrates Nigerian culture with bold and vibrant African prints.

Buy it here.
Avid Swim
Avid Swim, founded by Gionna Nicole, uses unique cut-outs and bold colors and prints to create some stunningly sexy pieces. The line has also appeared on the New York Fashion Week runways.

Buy it here.

Before You Go

45 Black-Owned Etsy Stores Everyone Should Support
Li Li's Creations(01 of45)
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Li Li's Creations sells one of kind African-inspired clothing. (credit:LiLiCreations)
Peace Images Jewelry(02 of45)
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Peace Images sells cultural jewelry and art. (credit:PeaceImages)
Urban Heirlooms(03 of45)
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Urban Heirlooms makes "leather bags and accessories featuring antique keys." (credit:urbanheirlooms)
Beija-Flor Naturals(04 of45)
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Beija-Flor Naturals produces organic skin care and natural hair products. (credit:Beija-Flor)
WCArtistry(05 of45)
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WCArtistry sells "vibrant African fabrics and sustainable materials that create beautifully handcrafted jewelry." (credit:WCArtistry)
Primrose Press(06 of45)
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Primrose Press produces "eco-friendly letterpress stationery that connects sender and recipient" in a meaningful and personal way. (credit:primrosepress)
Brown Butter Beauty(07 of45)
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Brown Butter Beauty makes natural hair and body products. (credit:BrownButterBeauty)
Marcus Kwame(08 of45)
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Marcus Kwame sells unique art prints. (credit:marcuskwame)
THRONE(09 of45)
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THRONE crafts crochet scarves, hats and headbands with "bold and exuberant designs." (credit:THRONE)
By Marcus Designs(10 of45)
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ByMarcusDesigns makes custom quality bowties. (credit:By Marcus Designs)
amaniathome(11 of45)
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Amani at Home creates "pillows inspired by African cultures mixing traditional with modernism." (credit:amaniathome)
Onion(12 of45)
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Onion sells custom clothing. (credit:ovonion)
My Junky Trunk(13 of45)
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My Junky Trunk distributes original canvas paintings, prints, t-shirts and more. (credit:myjunkytrunk)
Skinfolk(14 of45)
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Skinfolk sells "Mother Nature's raw and exotic fruit body butters." (credit:Skinfolk)
Boutique De Bandeaux(15 of45)
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Boutique De Bandeaux creates "thick, curly, and natural hair accessories." (credit:BoutiqueDeBandeaux)
De-Mes'tiks New York(16 of45)
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De-Mes'tiks New York makes unique clothing and garments.
Indigofera(17 of45)
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Indigofera produces plant-based hair care products. (credit:Indigofera)
Jeanne Paul Creations(18 of45)
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Jeanne Paul Creations makes handmade crochet creations. (credit:JeannePaulCreations)
Afrique La Chic(19 of45)
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Afrique La Chic makes "Afrocentric jewelry and natural hair accessories."
Shadra Strickland Illustration(20 of45)
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Shadra Strickland Illustration creates original artwork. (credit:Shadra Strickland Illustration)
Flowers From Fatima(21 of45)
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Flowers From Fatima sells "flower hair clips and accessories for all occasions." (credit:Flowers From Fatima)
thepairabirds(22 of45)
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thepairabirds sells "amazing prints by artist Tabitha Bianca Brown." (credit:thepairabirds)
THEUNIQUEU(23 of45)
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THEUNIQUEU sells handcrafted jewelry. (credit:THEUNIQUEU)
Yes Lioness(24 of45)
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Yes Lioness produces original paintings and illustrations, t-shirts, journals, keepsake boxes and cards. (credit:Yes Lioness)
2 Chic Designs(25 of45)
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2 Chic Designs sells handbags, clutches, wristlets and accessories. (credit:2 Chic Designs)
Its Your Season(26 of45)
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Its Your Season sells handcrafted cards and gifts. (credit:ItsYourSeason)
InlVibez(27 of45)
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InlVibez creates "one of a kind crochet garments, accessories and other Africa-inspired pieces." (credit:InlVibez)
Diggs Design Studio(28 of45)
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Diggs Design Studio sells art prints, note cards and necklaces. (credit:Diggs Design Studio)
that Artista(29 of45)
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that Artista creates "original paintings, drawings and exclusive prints by Philece R." (credit:that Artista)
Three Little Birds Tees(30 of45)
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Three Little Birds Tees shares positive, fashionable and culturally aware messages with their 100 percent cotton tees. (credit:Three Little Birds Tees)
A Holey Moley Lyfe(31 of45)
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A Holey Moley Lyfe sells "stud earrings that make a statement." (credit:A Holey Moley Lyfe)
Calabash Creations(32 of45)
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Calabash Creations produces "an eclectic mix of handmade cards, art, and gift items." (credit:Calabash Creations)
EdCentriK(33 of45)
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EdCentriK sells "adornments for the urban dweller." (credit:EdCentriK)
SANKOFAFREE(34 of45)
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SANKOFAFREE creates culturally-inspired jewelry. (credit:SANKOFAFREE)
Lydias Lovely Loops(35 of45)
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Lydias Lovely Loops makes crocheted hats and scarves. (credit:LydiasLovelyLoops)
Armanis Aromas(36 of45)
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Armanis Aromas crafts "all natural, hand poured soy candles." (credit:Armanis Aromas)
influencedbycultures(37 of45)
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influencedbycultures creates custom-made waist beads. (credit:influencedbycultures)
Paws Up by Rose and Pheeb(38 of45)
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Paws Up by Rose and Pheeb sells "custom-made dog apparel and more." (credit:Stefanie Caruthers)
Dont Sleep Interiors(39 of45)
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Dont Sleep Interiors' pillows prove "there's comfort in consciousness." (credit:DontSleepInteriors)
Forever Audacious(40 of45)
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Forever Audacious sells handcrafted art and accessories. (credit:Forever Audacious)
karmasoul(41 of45)
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karmasoul makes "handmade and original works of wearable art." (credit:karmasoul)
SilkWire Jewelry(42 of45)
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SilkWire Jewelry sells "handmade jewelry art." (credit:SilkWireJewelry)
Xenobia Bailey(43 of45)
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Xenobia Bailey creates artwork and prints. (credit:Xenobia Bailey)
Tiare Smith Designs(44 of45)
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Tiare Smith Designs sells "abstract painting, mixed media paintings, original paintings and cards." (credit:Tiare Smith Designs)
Mims Essentials(45 of45)
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Mims Essentials produces "body butters, hair creams and oils made with therapeutic quality essential oils." (credit:Mims Essentials)
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