Swimwear designer Melissa Odabash knows how to make a woman feel sexy, be it in her cover-ups, bikinis, or her new favorite, one-pieces. The former model and London-based designer caught up with us on her recent trip to New York about her new exclusive capsule collection for The Outnet, launching Monday, June 27.
What was the inspiration behind this collection?
I’m really into sports—I love paddleboarding—and I think everyone’s more into fitness these days. I wore only bikinis up until two years ago, and now I’m really into one-pieces with a twist. I made a lot of pieces that I would personally wear, like a one-piece that covers your stomach but still looks like a bikini from the back if you did a sport like paddleboarding. It’s still sexy and you don’t have to put a lot of sunblock on because it has a higher cut neck. I got inspired by what I would wear for all my water sports. It’s all about sport-luxe!
You’ve done many collaborations in the past.
I’ve done tons…one with Gwyneth Paltrow for Goop, Speedo’s 75th anniversary, I just launched Target. It takes me out of my comfort zone. I always stay true to myself but I love working with creative minds. When you’re all together, you come up with some great things.
What made you stick to neutrals with this collection?
Because The Outnet is international, I wanted to stick to something that looks good on everybody from Dubai to China to America to Europe. I think there’s something so chic about white and black, especially when people are insecure when it comes to swimwear. You can look super elegant without standing out if you don’t want to. I also did my trademark lizard and added a bronze piece because when you’re tan, bronze is so sexy.
What’s trending in swim right now?
One-pieces! Bella Hadid, Natasha Oakley, and Elle Macpherson have all been wearing them. Three years ago, you’d never find 20-year-olds in one-pieces. Like, never. Now they’re doing it and they look amazing.
Do you have a muse?
Elle Macpherson has always been my muse. She’s amazing—and one of my friends—and gets it right every time, because she doesn’t over-accessorize. And she has the ultimate beach body.
You live in London, so where do you paddleboard?
I have a house in Jupiter, Florida—it’s my little retreat. I go out there and just totally chill out. I go rollerblading and jogging in the morning and bike riding. Since I live in London, where we don’t have that kind of weather, the minute it’s sunshine I am out the door and I don’t get back in until 7:30 at night. Then I’ll watch American reality shows. I love The Kardashians and cooking shows, even though I’m the worst cook in the world. That’s the ultimate vacation. No socializing.
