Natalie Lim Suarez on her Love of Vintage & her Latest Collaboration with Swim and Resort Wear brand Maiyo London
Natalie Lim Suarez of Natalie Off Duty
“Swimsuits are empowering.”
Natalie Lim Suarez of Natalie Off Duty is ready to tackle the swimwear world. Her novel swim collaboration managed to divert our thinking away from the fashion world's cookie-cutter perfectionism, and make it invigorating.
Best known for her fierce style and beyond noticeable personality, a model and creative force, Natalie draws inspiration for Maiyo from the classic All-American look, made for the true glamour girl. The collection pays close attention to details such as timeless 90’s ultra-high hip, flattering belts and opulent buttons.
How does one go about reinterpreting something that’s classic?
I wanted to bring my All-American beach style to Maiyo London's luxurious sense of style. I love ease and simplicity in my swimwear, and with Maiyo, I was able to do that but with a unique twist. I gave the Maiyo x Natalie Off Duty swim collection those classic and sporty essentials in All-American shapes like the extra high-hips and cinched waists, with Maiyo's way of embellishment like vintage-inspired buttons and glamorous belts. I wanted this collection to focus on texture. You'll find nylon pieces, crochet pieces, and even a touch of sparkle in the trimmings. Some pieces mix all the elements! I like to say it's ease, luxury, and high fashion design in one swimsuit.
How did you navigate the challenge of creating something with more universal appeal, while maintaining your own core style?
Swimsuits are empowering. I like pieces that make women feel good in their bodies. I wanted everything to have that core simplicity with a touch of glamour. Pieces that really accentuate every curve in the body. These are universal pieces that really have a little extra something special in them. We kept our color palette soft with classic neutrals that work on everyone. My style is all in the details. It's not too much, and it's not too little. It can be the puff sleeve in our crochet Ruby suit to a button accent on the shoulder like on our Jade bikini, is what makes each piece luxurious.
What has the relationship been like between you and Maiyo London? We noticed that you are hyper-selective about your style and partnerships you are choosing — why Maiyo London pique your interest?
I have been wearing Maiyo for years now. What I love is the quality in their swimwear. The elegance in their swimwear. When Roxanne, the designer, reached out about doing a design collaboration, I was ecstatic. What I learned most, especially working in fashion during a pandemic, is to focus on quality and more on the little things. Where and how products are made. Who I am working with. What the brand stands for. I love how inclusive and diverse Maiyo is. Mixing their London style with my NYC style created a dream partnership. Quality swimwear is worth the investment. Plus, swim is supposed to feel fun!
Increasingly, people are bolstering their wardrobes with vintage items. Buying something while supporting sustainability is always a plus. Your love of vintage was always there. Which periods of fashion history appeal to you and why?
Growing up in Los Angeles, my love for vintage began at estate sales. I really developed a sense of style in both home decor and the way I dress there as I browsed inside some of the most gorgeous estates. And it's all a flashback from the past. I am in love with the 80's and 90's. There's a masculine, tough-girl energy that I love in a vintage oversize suit. It was a really playful, fun, and sexy time. There is also a part of me that love the Jackie Kennedy era in NYC, the All-American elegance with a head scarf and trench coat. I have always donated to The Salvation Army, and while I am there, I like to browse the mens section and find some of my favorite outerwear. I like the unknown story behind a piece you stumble upon. I love seeing how brands are really being responsible for creating sustainable products. Paying more for a piece that will last longer, is definitely my new approach as a consumer. I like fabrics that require less washing and will be with me for years to come. With the Maiyo x Natalie Off Duty collection, there is so much cross-over in texture. Creating a collection like that requires us to be mindful in the design process. We made sure that all pieces of our quality fabrics were used and not wasted. You'll find a lot of crossover in details and trimmings throughout our collection. That was important for us. Less waste, the better.
What is your most prized find and where did you find it?
I have a classic, navy blue blazer that I got in Aspen, Colorado. It just looks so good over everything! Vintage shopping in Aspen is just something one must do!
Maiyo is a London-based lifestyle brand founded by Roxanne Namaki- Lakani. Roxanne’s love for fashion grew from a very young age and led her to explore the world, so she could appreciate different cultures, fabrics, colours and patterns. The name Maiyo originates from Roxanne's Persian background and translates to swimwear in Farsi. Her background in fashion marketing and design at fashion houses Net-A-Porter, Moschino and Harrods helped her find her target and the gap she wanted to fill. Maiyo is about making a woman feel their best whilst on a beach in their bikini, hopefully sipping rose. All Maiyo's products are handmade in Vietnam by a talented group of artisan women with fine sustainable Japanese yarn and lining keeping their shape and hold. Some pieces can take up to 60 hours to make!
MAIYO x NATALIE OFF DUTY swim collection was launched on October 30, 2020 online and can be bought at https://maiyo.co.uk
