One-piece swimwear is more popular than ever, and Ilhame El Moumouhi is building on the trend to boost the reputation of Nayades, the label she founded two years ago in Florence. Her challenge : redefining the swimsuit as a flexible piece that can be worn on the beach or in town, with a focus on inclusivity in both sizing and proportions.

This is your first time on the Exposed corner, what are your impressions ?

Curve Paris by Who’s Next is a beautiful international platform that offers great visibility. Entering Exposed is like being part of a special circle, with a curated selection that also gives greater credibility in the eyes of visitors. It’s a real benefit in terms of traffic.

Tell us the story of the brand.

I have a pretty unusual background since I’ve worked in finance for a long time. Two years ago, I decided to change paths and went back to studying fashion design, with the idea of creating a swimwear brand. Eco-responsibility and versatility were there from the start, but I also wanted to answer some needs that weren’t really covered by the market. I create elegant, sharp and graphic pieces that you can wear all year long, as bathing suits but also as bodysuits. I wanted the products to be inclusive in terms of sizing but also to offer various torso lengths, a very common problem that the market rarely addresses.

We don’t hear much about it when it comes to swimwear

Many women are unaware that they have a long torso, and settle for pieces that stretch uncomfortably or crush the breasts. There’s a real need for education in order to spread our message and being here on Exposed is a great means to gaining popularity with retailers, agents and also with the press.

What are your strategies and expectations for these three days ?

Having lived in Dubai, I did several pop-ups there and I was lucky enough to be quickly supported by very selective beach clubs, such as Twiggy by La Cantine and Playa Beach. We’re also distributed in several beach clubs in Italy and France. The idea is now to develop our in-store presence, to offer customers extra guidance. My challenge this weekend is to increase my visibility and to meet new, interesting partners.

Are you using this opportunity to visit Interfilière Paris and check the new fabric trends ?

It’s definitely a good occasion to go take a look! We’re on a very stimulating international platform so it’s a great opportunity to go check the new global trends. I also take the time to talk to other designers with a similar take on ethical, eco-responsible luxury. Feedback from others helps me to broaden my scope, to confirm my direction and to think about how I could expand it. These conversations are very valuable.