Castaway Reef makes waves at Ibiza Swim Week.
By Gena Aspinall-Martin
Photography by: @bysiriaferrer
Castaway Reef recently made a triumphant debut at Ibiza Swim Week. A slow-fashion lifestyle atelier, Castaway Reef is designed for escapism and with consumer behaviour in mind. High quality, bold prints and Sustainable.
Founder Rhiannon Quinche saw a significant gap in the swimwear market and strove to design a collection that addressed fit issues she found affected herself and women globally. Rhiannon loved the concept of the fleeting freedom you feel abroad. When you are in another city or country and have a newfound confidence to dress differently, as nobody knows you. That fleeting feeling of temporary rebranding. You could be anyone, and your wardrobe and confidence reflect that. Drawing on the emotions we feel when travelling or exploring a new holiday destination, Castaway Reef has been curated to be transformative. “There is something about being on holiday, the heat, the water, the colours, the freedom that allows you to dress differently and feel more confident”.
Castaway Reef at Ibiza Swim Week - Photography by @bysiriaferrer
Castaway Reef is based around echoes of memories and emotions. Designed to be practical and avocational. Rhiannon designs pieces with distinctive hardware details, flattering cuts, double lining for extra support, adjustable straps for a versatile fit and additional comfort. Her designs are elevated and distinctive. Inspired by mermaid sirens, seductive and elegant. Her collections champion women and encourage self-expression. Castaway Reef is a lifestyle brand based on feeling. Rhiannon describes the brand's identity as “magnetic, feminine and slightly wild” This is reflected in her collection, which includes swimsuits with daring cut-outs and bikinis with a fiery print. Pieces as individual as the wearer.
She designs pieces that are emotive, wanting to encapsulate the inner confidence you usually feel when you have time to self-reflect. “I love rich colour, unusual prints, gold details and silhouettes that feel sensual”. Designed to be noticed and worn repetitively. Rhiannon designs with key customer profiles in mind. She knows her customer and what will work for them. She designs for their lifestyle, not just for commercial purposes. “Castaway Reef is for the woman who wants her swimwear to feel like part of her identity, not just something practical she packed in a suitcase”.
Who is the “Castaway Reef” customer? In what ways do your pieces complement her lifestyle and values?
“The Castaway Reef woman is confident; she knows what she likes and doesn’t want to wear what everyone else is wearing. She loves travel, beautiful places and getting dressed, but she also values quality and individuality. She would rather find one incredible bikini that she feels amazing in than buy five disposable ones for one holiday. It’s an attitude. She wants to feel feminine, magnetic and a little bit different, and she wants pieces that can move with the way she actually lives; from the beach, to lunch, to a boat, to drinks later”.
With this comes versatility. Fit and style play a crucial role in swimwear functionality. Rhiannon wanted to create a capsule collection that can be worn from the beach to dinner. Versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down. She found that swimwear today doesn’t account for the complexities of the female form. The traditional body shapes are no longer linear and women’s sizes are no longer standardised.
Female bodies are a spectrum, and your designs cater perfectly to fit issues so many women face. What are some of the most common customer pain points you’ve encountered that have inspired your design process?
“One of the biggest frustrations I’ve always had with swimwear is how fixed it can be. Women’s bodies don’t work in standard proportions, yet so much swimwear is designed as though they do. A woman might need more support on top but a smaller size on the bottom, or she might want more coverage one day and less the next. Even small things like a fixed clasp can completely change how a bikini fits, which is why I’m drawn to tie-back styles, adjustable straps and pieces that can be worn in different ways. I think a lot about adjustability and versatility for that reason. Detachable chains, removable straps and multiway tops aren’t just decorative details”.
Constructed to ensure proper fit and designed to cater to numerous consumer preferences, Castaway Reef offers a multitude of styles in a small collection. Each design has been curated with her customers in mind. Alternate necklines and fits for differentiating body types and preferences. Produced in small batches, Castaway Reef’s sustainability is at the heart of their product pipeline. Designed to reject society's throwaway culture. To avoid overproduction, Rhiannon works in small quantities and ensures high quality and classic styles that can be worn each season and still feel on-trend. Her long-term goal is product longevity.
Castaway Reef is a newly founded brand that launched this summer and is already gaining significant attention for their unique designs and exceptional quality. They recently had their runway debut at Ibiza Swim Week. Europe’s premier Swimwear destination. Ibiza is a hub for emerging summer fashion brands. Electric and beautiful art, culture and music. The small Spanish island is home to world-renowned DJs, talent and bohemian influence. Therefore, it is no surprise that Ibiza hosts the most anticipated swimwear runway show there each season. This year, it was the third time Ibiza Swim Week had showcased emerging swimwear designers. From the 8th-10th June, in collaboration with Miami Swim Week, the Ibiza Town Council, and Paris Runway Official, Ibiza Swim Week returned, welcoming audiences full of intrigue.
For founder Rhiannon Quinche, this show was more than a brand launch; it was a defining moment after months of preparation and brand building. A full-circle moment in Rhiannon’s brand journey.
Castaway Reef at Ibiza Swim Week - Photography by @bysiriaferrer
You recently made your runway debut at Ibiza Swim Week. How did you feel seeing your collection on the runway?
“Honestly, it was surreal. Castaway Reef had only launched a few months earlier, so seeing the collection on a runway in Ibiza felt like such a huge moment. I had spent so long seeing every piece behind the scenes; through samples, fittings, changes and all the very unglamorous parts of building a brand. Suddenly, seeing the full collection come to life on models was quite emotional. It was probably the first moment when I was able to step outside the day-to-day running of the business and actually see what I had created.
There was also something very special about seeing different women wear the pieces with their own energy and confidence. Swimwear is so connected to how a woman feels in her body, and seeing the collection move on the runway exactly as I had imagined was a real pinch-me moment”.
Castaway Reef’s debut at Ibiza Swim Week was entirely intentional. As a lifestyle brand for women who seek adventure, Ibiza was the perfect setting. An island known for shopping, culture, beautiful beaches and parties epitomises the lifestyle of the Castaway customer.
What made you choose Ibiza Swim Week for your runway showcase?
“Ibiza felt completely aligned with the world of Castaway Reef. The brand is inspired by travel, heat, escapism and that feeling of becoming a slightly different version of yourself when you’re away. I didn’t want our first runway experience to feel too traditional or removed from the lifestyle the clothes are actually designed for. Ibiza has this incredible combination of freedom, glamour and individuality, and it felt like a natural setting for the collection”.
Castaway Reef is a brand for women who are avid travellers, who desire individuality, and who exude confidence. Rhiannon Quinche hasn’t just built a new swimwear brand; she is set to revolutionise the way we purchase luxury swimwear.
Castaway Reef at Ibiza Swim Week - Photography by @bysiriaferrer