4 Hot New Brands To Know Now On NET-A-PORTER

Cala de la Cruz tells a tale of life by the coast (‘cala’ translates to ‘small bay’ in Spanish) and reflects the warmth and free spirit of the brand’s Colombian origin. “It’s incredibly rich in texture and emotion,” says founder Carolina Lopez. “I wanted to create a brand with a strong sense of personality and artistry, one that offers a distinct point of view on how Latin America is represented, from the graphic language to the overall visual world,” she adds.

From bold, expressive prints and kaleidoscopic color combinations to effortless, resort-ready silhouettes, the brand’s joyous collections immediately conjure the feeling of an endless, carefree summer. Crafted by local artisans using a mix of organic and recycled materials, the pieces in NET-A-PORTER’s edit include exclusive versions of the brand’s ‘Tania’ dress, retro-inspired swimwear and matching sets – each printed with hand-drawn illustrations and bold, geometric motifs. “Print is at the heart of the brand,” says Lopez. “It’s about layering color, scale and rhythm until it feels balanced but still a bit unexpected.”

The best garments are often the ones you never knew you needed, and that’s certainly true of Rivage’s swimdress. A swimsuit, poolside cover-up and beach dress all in one, it was dreamt up by Stockholm-based founders Nadja Forsberg, Michelle Malmström and Jessica Johansson six years ago after a trip to the South of France. Their collective desire for a piece that offered true versatility on vacation led them to create a swim-meets-ready-to-wear hybrid that could be worn straight out of the water to lunch with ease.

“We often start with the silhouette, how a piece should move with the body and how it should make the wearer feel and let this drive the shape of the product line,” says Forsberg of their design process. “We use the pieces ourselves and understand it through real-life moments. The functional aspect – how it moves, adapts, and holds over time, naturally leads us toward certain textures and a considered approach to color,” she adds.

Material matters, too. All of the brand’s swimwear is crafted in Italy using high-quality stretch fabric that’s lightweight, quick-drying and resistant to pilling, plus offers complete coverage and UV protection. “Designing swimwear goes beyond aesthetics; each piece needs to withstand sun, saltwater, chlorine, machine washing, SPF and even occasional contact with makeup or self-tanner. At the same time, the fabrics must retain their elasticity, transition smoothly from wet to dry, and hold their shape and color over time,” Forsberg explains. Ticking every box, simply squeeze out excess water from your Rivage swimdress or two-piece after a dip, let it dry for a few minutes in the sun and you’re good to go.