Waterwear 2011 Made by Dawn: The Muse Makes Her Own
Designer Dawn Peterson knows a thing or two—or 20—about swimwear. A surfer and former model who grew up on the beaches of Hawaii, Peterson lives the lifestyle—and has the figure—most swimwear designers envision for their muse.“I love fashion and was looking for a way in. Swimwear seemed like the best way,” Peterson said. For Summer 2010, Peterson and her husband, Kirk Peterson, launched Made by Dawn, a line of bikinis designed in Santa Barbara, Calif., and made in Los Angeles.
The collection, which draws on Peterson’s love of all things beach and fashion, debuted with three bikini tops and five bottoms. “I was a fit model for Karl Lagerfeld, and I saw him sketching designs and then would put on the dresses the next day. I’ve been sketching since I was little, and I wanted to see my own sketches come to life, too,” Peterson said.
Wholesaling for upwards of $30 per piece, Made by Dawn includes a classic triangle top, a modified bandeau top with a back cutout and two side-tie bikini bottoms. Peterson, who likes a dose of practicality with her swimwear, included a “Shell Picker” bottom—a sporty little bottom that includes two tiny pockets designed as a place to stash sea shells. A matching scoop-front bikini top is designed to stay put in case of swan dives or surfing. Additional styles, including a maillot, are planned for Resort 2011.
Made by Dawn, which boasts a fit that isn’t quite a Brazilian but is skimpier than traditional American fits, targets better specialty boutiques. So far, the label has landed in retailers such as Planet Blue in Los Angeles and Angel in Montecito, Calif. For more information, call (808) 266-0449 or visit www.madebydawn.com.—Erin Barajas
