Kooey: From the Land Down Under
Kooey’s brightly hued swimsuits take their cue from the vibrant colors found in the Australian outback.
Joanne Pellew started designing one- and two-piece suits for her daughter and tourists out of the backyard of her house in Broome, a small town near Perth in Western Australia. In 2008, she launched her collection. Now the company is expanding to the U.S. market and California, which is considered a near twin of the land down under.
Nikki Silverthorne, who is a director in the company, and her design team draw their inspiration from the indigenous art of Australia as well as the country’s distinctive regions. The “Kimberly” collection—all bright-red suits in one-piece and two-piece silhouettes—is influenced by the Kimberly, one of nine regions in Western Australia. It is true outback territory with deep red soil that marches down to the Indian Ocean. The “Ningaloo” collection, which is more feminine and ruffly, is inspired by the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, said Kooey spokesperson Bree Jackson.
Pre-treated Lycra is used to cut down on colors washing away. Wholesale prices for tops and bottoms, which are sold separately, range from $25 to $75, and one-pieces go for about $75.
For more information, contact Alessandra Volpi of The Launch Pad Showroom in New York at (646) 290-5691 or visit www.kooey.com.—Deborah Belgum
