Innes Lauren came from a wild idea and a feeling of wanting to achieve freedom for myself. To create a life where I can be anywhere in the world and work at my own pace. I believe swimwear specifically came from my love for the ocean and my childhood. I spent more days in a swimsuit by the ocean than I did doing anything else. And now, I find myself happiest like this, barefoot by water in a swimsuit. 

As the business grows alongside myself I am learning it’s much more than my love for creating beautiful, well made swimwear, it’s also about a way of life and the persistence in which I keep on returning to myself in that moment, with honesty and integrity. This is something I am still moving more toward. 

Connection, vitality, nostalgia. Colours I see as the sun is setting, places I've traveled to. Rich culture and language. I also have many old photographs from my childhood growing up in east Bali; of my Mum in swimsuits when she was my age, to when we were a young family; photos of my Dad in silks and Batik sarongs. This time in my life was very impactful and will always be used as a source of inspiration.

Oversized button shirts, a good singlet, a pair of silk pants. I have many sarongs which I wear almost daily, I love wrapping myself in one after a shower or ocean swim. 

Tricky question for me as I don’t really have style icons, I am inspired by women and men everyday, some of them whom I pass on the street, I will stop to complement their style. My mother and father too.

Essentially, the Innes Lauren woman is me. It’s always been me.. I don't know how to design any other way but for myself. I wear everything I design - everyday, it’s that or very little at all.. I love the ocean, travel, meeting new people and exploring new places. I’m extremely curious by nature and I wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm currently working on incorporating more of this part of me in my work.

Incredibly important. My swimwear is fabric focused, I use a sustainable techno-fabric ECONYL that is made from regenerated fishing nets which turns waste problems into fashion solutions. Every piece is self-lined, with two layers of fabric instead of thinner lining, to hold structure and the longevity of the swimsuit. I try to source with as much transparency and honesty as I can

Maintaining my integrity and honesty which builds trust with my customers, they believe in my product and its longevity and quality. Being transparent and consistent with sourcing recycled materials. Committing to production onshore in Australia and supporting my community. I also wish to continue to explore and educate myself about how I can improve industry practice to create new pathways toward a more sustainable fashion industry.

Manufacturing onshore working with a locally-based small-batch production model has always been at the forefront of my mission. Supporting my local community and on a broader scale, supporting manufacturing in Australia is important to keep this industry thriving here in Australia, to give my community the opportunity to learn the craft of manufacturing. 

To live as the river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding. It’s a quote by an Irish mystic John O’Donahue that my partner sent me after we met for the first time and one that I continue to return to when I need to hear it. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT INNES LAUREN HERE.