PrideSwim

01/05/2026

I miss our old baths. I love our new ones as well, the clean water and crispness, but I love the old ones, with the cracks, high wall, patina and fish! I want both. I want everything without ever trading one for the other. I want everything I’ve loved in other places I’ve lived, all in the place I’m now living. I want all the lives I’ve lived and will live. Is this so unreasonable?

30/04/2026

If you come to in Newcastle Mall, I can show you this stretch woven fabric, with metallic fibres in the actual weave. Other metallic finishes are printed onto knit jersey spandex, which is why they rub off. Mine also have stretch woven shape control lining with bust darts to pull tight through the sternum for superior support - don’t get me started about con-artists with their shelves and foam inserts. What has the world come to! I ask you!

15/09/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOWMuCeqGA4

My revealing bikinis are made with logos sandwiched in the lining, where you can't see them, until they get wet. That's when the ultra thin technical out fab...

07/09/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=temvMmLHd7M

A conceptual fashion collaboration with lingerie artisan, Natasha Op't landSwimsuit: https://prideswim.com.au/products/artemishttps://www.youtube.com/...

11/08/2024

If you need a swimsuit repaired or re-rubbered, I have the professional equipment to help you. I tailor bespoke swimsuits for clients around the world, but am happy to help my neighbours with low coast repairs where I can. I'm not very good with facebook so the best way to reach me will be via the contact page on my website

While we endeavour to reply to all emails as soon as they have been seen, we ask that you allow up to one Australian business day for us to write in reply.

16/07/2024

Summer before last, I rather foolishly committed to producing a small batch of these "tea towel V-neck" swimming costumes. At the time, anything I made with this fabric was selling as fast as I could sew, so I figured a small batch (2 in each size) would be a safe bet.

But fashion is fickle. Even customers of slow fashion brands are smitten by the new, and bored with fabric and cuts they have seen.

I am left with one in size 8, 10 and 14, and not enough fabric to make any more. The little I have, I'm saving for people wanting bikinis.

If you would like to pick one up, I will thank you with a $100 voucher to use before Christmas. That's hardly earth shattering news to bargain hunters among you, but then I refuse not be beaten by fast fashion on price.

16/07/2024

It's in the name: Pride. pRIDE. P-RIDE. Ride!

When I was developing my core range, I went to great trouble to ensure my swimsuits were comfortable in the saddle. The innovative crotch seam of my men's one piece is the most striking example, but the front seams of my women's maillots and briefs are a case in point too.

I could bore you with the technicalities of how I've achieved this, or simply pledge compensation for the saddle rash (that I know you won't get), from riding your bike in my swimsuit! No photographic evidence required!

The reason is there is never any parking at the beach or the pool, and even if there is, you don't want to lose the exercise benefit of riding for your swim, and even if you don't care about any of that, you would rather ride just to look cool. Case closed.

If you're in a reading mood, google "Steven Fleming, The Guardian, Velotopia" and you will find an example of the kind of thought leadership I used to provide about cycling, before I opted for a quieter life, making comfortable swimsuits for you.

14/07/2024

With my head in the clouds, I imagine the day when I will be 100% vegan.

I imagine myself, and everything I consume, having no reliance on motorised transport.

And I imagine myself being dressed, top-to-toe, in ethical and sustainable clothing.

It can seem all of our efforts are token. But are they?

It only takes 10% of us to be 100% vegan, and suddenly grocery stores have to provide vegan options. Only 10% of us need to dig our heels in about non-motorised transport, and councils have to provide bike lanes.

And just 10% of us need to go all-in with sustainable and ethical clothing, for tailors and dressmakers to return.

At the same time, if just 10% of our choices, across all aspects of life, were for the better, we would be developing a taste for a sustainable life.

Having 9 meat meals before you remember to make dahl, is 100 times better than thinking you have to have meat for each meal. Only cycling to work once a year, on ride to work day, is a thousand times better than driving as though cyclists ought to get off of the road.

And just having experienced the wait to have something made to order, means you at least know that clothing doesn't always have to be there waiting for you, the second you walk into a shop.

Unless you're reading this in the n**e, a little bit of human slavery, and wanton environmental destruction, is touching you now. Me too.

But if we just clothe ourselves with a few things made-to-order, we will be developing a taste for a more sustainable life, and giving dressmakers and tailors a foothold.

It is unlikely we'll do that with casual clothing, and why, when there is enough of that already in op shops to last until the end of the world!

We'll go to tailors and dressmakers for garments that can make or break our self-worth: wedding dresses; corporate suits... swimsuits.

I would love to take you through the steps of a sustainable and ethical swimsuit purchase. Extensive customer communication is a feature of nearly all my swimsuit making commissions.

It starts with a direct message, about your preferences, experiences with swimwear, your measurements, or just to tell me you're vegan.

Hello!

26/04/2023

How it is made

Before it is finished, a seemingly simple bikini will have passed through no less than eight separate work stations.

1. The cutting table is where pattern pieces and binding are cut with manual and motorised cutters.

2. Care labels are then applied with the heat press machine.

3. The rubberised spaghetti straps are made with a single purpose "spaghetti machine".

4. The overlocker/rubberiser is where most of the assembly takes place.

5. The zigzag machine is used to secure lining for that seamless appearance Pride swimsuits are known for.

6. Only the bottoms go to the cover stitch machine, where the rear leg seams are hemmed.

7. A single purpose binding machine makes the thick straps, into which the top edges of the bottoms, and bottom edges of the top triangles fit.

8. Finally, every last row of stitching is then locked into place with the bar tack machine that is also used to attach hardware.

Click the icon in my profile that looks like a book, to read more about my swimsuits and how they're .

24/04/2023

Lightest and Driest.

Stretch woven compression pants, made in Newcastle.
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