Marysia Dobrzanska Reeves is the founder of Marysia, a high fashion swimwear, bikini and resort wear brand for women and children. She was born in Poland, grew up as a ballerina and a long time surfer before then turning to the leotards and swimsuits which have made the American swimwear brand so successful and hip. We take a look into how the company was developed, and how it came to be and why it’s just so cool.
Brand History
Despite New York being the fashion capital of America being, Marysia first studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles before moving to the Big Apple for an internship with Milly. Moving around America, she ventured to South Carolina to launch her namesake brand. After a few years, the company relocated to New York to grow the business but they have always had seaside locations firmly in their heart. Marysia won Charleston Fashion Week’s Emerging Designer Competition in 2009 and was selected among the CFDA Fashion Fund’s top 20 in 2015. Despite being such a young and fresh designer, the fashion industry has welcomed and rewarded her for her designs.
Why We Love Marysia
While many swimwear brands come and go, what we really love about Marysia is the quality. All her swimwear is made from premium Italian fabrics, handmade and hand sewn in a couture factory – this is the extra special treatment one needs to really treat their body on holiday. Marysia has many admirers and fans, like Oscar-winning actresses Lupita Nyong’o and Gwyneth Paltrow, who have been known to endorse the brand, along with the likes of Lauren Santo Domingo, Leandra Medine and Evangeline Smyrniotaki. The key feature that everyone agrees is the most charming aspect of the brand is, of course, the signature scallop hem that Marysia has become known for. This signature feature adds a playful touch of elegance to the most classic designs and is a trim which flatters all body types.
Our Favorite Pieces
For the Resort 19 collection, which marks the ten year anniversary of the brand’s birth, designer Marysia found inspiration in the canyons and deserts of the American Southwest after touring the deserts and landscapes of Utah and Arizona. You can see how the landscape has inspired the season’s new prints with a warm color palette and Western-inspired silhouettes. One our favorites this season has to be the dress (featured above). The silky material and dreamy pattern embody all the romance and mystery of the ocean while the straps add a sophisticated touch – you could easily take the piece from day to night. Of course, the scalloped hemmed bikinis are a long time love, this season coming in tones of dusty nudes and musky pinks of Arizona. It makes us want to drop everything and take a trip to one of the beaches in Zhuhai or Coloane in our latest piece from them.
Marysia Available online from Net-a-Porter and retailers in Hong Kong like Lane Crawford
Follow on Instagram: @marysia Twitter: @MarysiaSwim
