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Swimsuit season is right around the corner, so I’m sure you’ve seen tons of new, trendy bikini styles. There’s one bikini, in particular, that’s circulating all over Instagram and people have been wondering where exactly they can find it. These beautiful, jewel-colored crushed velvet bikinis are by ChicCartel, “a collective of ethical women-owned fashion brands that exists to help women grow their small fashion businesses and to help spread the word about the importance of sustainability.” ChicCartel’s swimsuit line launched on February 19, featuring the velvet bikinis you’ve been seeing all over Instagram and a bandage one-piece that has graced the covers of GQ South Africa, Maxim USA, and UMM Canada.
The collection aims to help women find swimsuits that are anything but ordinary! “As a stylist and a model, our designers spent years working with swimwear,” says co-founder Victoria Nelson in a press release. “They know exactly how hard it is to find a unique swimwear piece.” Well, the search is over–this is definitely the swimsuit you’re going to want to snag for the summer!
The crushed velvet bikinis come in four colors, wine, navy, emerald green, and silver, and feature a standard bikini cut. ChicCartel also offers an advanced support bikini top that has a wider under bra belt for women with bigger boobs. The bikini top has a corset-like back tie and the bottoms feature double stripes for a sexy, unique look.
I know you’re wondering: Is velvet even waterproof? Yes! “Velvet swim is made of stretch velvet that is a blend of nylon and lycra, the same composition as regular swim fabric,” says co-founder Olga Gomonova. “It looks beautiful when wet, dries back in no time and makes your skin feel great under the suit. On top of it, velvet keeps its shape, doesn’t fade and looks shiny. All this not even mentioning that you will be the biggest hit on any beach.”
Not feeling velvet? ChicCartel has also designed a super sexy black bandage one-piece. The one-piece features stretchy wide elastic straps that holds everything in while accentuating your finest assets and a deep V back design with a supportive waist.
Now you’re probably wondering: So, how do I get my hands on these fabulous swimsuits? ChicCartel has created a project backed via Kickstarter that allows you to make a monetary pledge in lieu of a swimsuit! The bikini pledges start at just $99, and one-piece pledges start at $139. Your pledge also helps ChicCartel’s swimsuit designers Lilya and Sayla, who also work in fashion as stylists, expand their production. “This is what ChicCartel is all about,” Nelson and Gomonova say, “grooming the next generation of female designers who choose to produce responsibly.”
Head over to ChicCartel’s Kickstarter now to order a velvet crushed bikini or a bandage one-piece today!
Also, check out 8 plus-size bathing suits everyone will be wearing this summer at SheFinds.com!
