ASK any woman and they’ll tell you that bathers are the hardest garment to shop for.
Helping the fairer sex hit the beach with pride is Agua Bendita’s first dedicated Australian boutique nestled on leafy Princess Road, Claremont.
Translating to holy water, the glamorous Colombian swimwear brand – as much art as it is fashion with most pieces featuring hand-stitched embellishments like faux pearls and lace – is wonderfully colourful, edgy and best of all flattering, according to store owner Maria Tremlett.
“Our bathers are very becoming, especially in the back. Contrary to popular belief, a big cut in the bottom makes your derriere look bigger, so our cut proves that less is more,” she said.
“Customers have a hard time deciding which pair to choose because they give such good shape. So, it comes down to: what is your individual style? Do you want to be cute, funky or informal?”
Colombian-born Tremlett has worked with the label in Australia since 2008, helping stock the product in Brownies in Claremont and Laced Up in Cottesloe.
“The beauty of the swimwear is that it offers such individuality: what one person may like, the next won’t. That’s why we were so excited to open the store as stockists sometimes only stock what they like and then people don’t see the full range,” she said.
“Another great aspect is that each piece is made in Colombia by stay-at-home mums who can’t get jobs.
“We say: they are made for women by women with love.”
Private appointments are available in store and prices range from $200 to $280.
Colombian designers Catalina Alvarez and Mariana Hinestroza launched Agua Bendita in 2003.