Kathleen Bily, unveiled her Origin of Oceans Spring/Summer 2025 Collection "Desert Oasis" at Austin Fashion Week
“Desert Oasis” by Origin of Oceans: Where Runway Meets the Wild
By Paris Runway Official | Austin Fashion Week Special Edition
On a warm, scattered rain Saturday night in Austin, beneath the shimmering lights of the LAUNCH787 showcase, a new wave of swimwear artistry made its bold entrance. Origin Of Oceans, founded by Kathleen Bily, unveiled its Spring/Summer 2025 collection—“Desert Oasis”—at Austin Fashion Week. Known for merging natural inspirations with meticulous craftsmanship, the label’s newest offering is a breathtaking reflection of nature’s contradictions: arid desert serenity and shimmering aquatic strength.
“I was inspired by the western sunset skies of the Great Basin Desert,” Bily explains. “The colors in this collection shift like the sky at dusk—moving from soft amber and coral to the black star-filled night.” With every silhouette, she channels femininity and power, wrapping her muse in beaded light and desert grace.
Photo by Julie Trinh // Fashion PR Firm // Paris Runway Official Media Team
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Each Origin Of Oceans piece is sustainably made, hand-embroidered, and hand-beaded with waterproof embellishments—ensuring every look transitions seamlessly from runway to real waves. “You can swim in these pieces—ocean, pool, or fresh water,” says Bily. “Just rinse, and you’re good to go. They're wearable art and keepsakes.” It’s no surprise that the brand has become a standout in the swimwear and resortwear scene.
Though this was Origin Of Oceans’ first Austin Fashion Week appearance, Bily is no stranger to the runway. Her pieces have graced Miami Swim Week, New York Fashion Week, Ibiza Swim Week, and Hamptons Swim Week. This summer, she’ll return to Miami Swim Week for her fourth consecutive showing, followed by Ibiza and New York Swim Week.
Photo by Julie Trinh // Fashion PR Firm // Paris Runway Official Media Team
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Bily’s journey into fashion was not accidental. A dual-degree graduate in Journalism and Fashion Design from the University of Texas at Austin, she went on to work in New York for over 14 years, designing for elite fashion houses including Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Tory Burch, and Kate Spade New York. During the pandemic, she took a leap of faith and launched her dream: a brand that reflects her love for the sun, water, and transformative design.
“I’ve always wanted to build a swimwear brand,” she shares. “My pieces are inspired by environments—from desert to celestial skies. Each color story reflects a full day cycle: dawn, midday, dusk. It’s about storytelling through textures, tones, and movement.”
Photo by Julie Trinh // Fashion PR Firm // Paris Runway Official Media Team
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As for what’s next? A global vision. “We’re often contacted for productions in Italy, Dubai, and France. My goal is to see Origin Of Oceans on the international map, not just as a brand, but as a lifestyle rooted in joy, resilience, and sustainability.”
Everything from the “Desert Oasis” collection is available now on www.originofoceans.com and in-person at the AFW Domain Pop-Up. In true see-now-buy-now spirit, the runway has never felt more immediate—or more alive.
Kathleen Bily’s Final Word:
“To my parents and my support system—thank you for believing in me. Every stitch is sewn with love, memory, and vision. And to anyone chasing a dream: the oasis you’re looking for might just be within.”
Photo by Julie Trinh // Fashion PR Firm // Paris Runway Official Media Team
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Photo by Julie Trinh // Fashion PR Firm // Paris Runway Official Media Team
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Photo by Julie Trinh // Fashion PR Firm // Paris Runway Official Media Team
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Public Relations Team:
www.fashionprfirm.com // Fashion PR Firm // Paris Runway Official
www.instagram.com/parisrunwayofficial
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Media Team:
Julie Trinh, https://julietrinhphotography.com/