IN CONVERSATION WITH: REBECCA KLODINSKY AT IIXIIST SWIM

If you haven’t heard of the Gold Coast swimwear brand taking the world by storm, it’s about time you added IIXIIST Swim to your summer wardrobe wish list.

After filling a gaping hole in the market for affordable swimwear back in 2013 with her side-hustle-turned-swimwear-to-the-stars brand, swim designer and director Rebecca Klodinsky has risen with the swell and surged from strength to strength with IIXIIST Swim, an Aussie brand with a big environmental heart.

“It is important to me to maintain the integrity of my brand and keeping it sustainable wherever possible.” Rebecca Klodinsky

Wading into the sea of digital influencers before it was a tidal wave, Rebecca Klodinsky first hit the big time when Rihanna wore an IIXIST Swim bikini. Whilst the brand hasn’t looked back and Rebecca can now count Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Bella Hadid on her client list, there’s so much more to this comfortable, elegant brand than sexy swimwear.

Made from 100% recycled materials, Rebecca continues to make waves whilst keeping one eye on the impact her togs have on the planet – turning rubbish into ravishing swimwear - proving that we can save the world in style.

With their SS20 range photographed on location in Bali, Rebecca is a girl after our own heart. We caught up with her for a chat…

[TLSE]What attracted you to creating a swimwear range?

[Rebecca] It was 2013 when I had my lightbulb moment to create a swimwear range. At the time I was studying a double degree in psych and forensic psych at uni, it was very much a side hustle in the early days. I was at home with my sister who had just returned from shopping. She was proudly showing me her new bikini, which she had just spent weeks paying off on lay-buy. That’s when it hit me. If my sister was lay-buying seasonal bikinis, surely she wasn’t alone. There had to be thousands of other girls out there doing it too. Lucky for me, curiosity paid-off. There was a hole in the market for great swimwear at happy prices, then along came IIXIST Swim!

What’s the best thing about your job?

The freedom my job allows me to have. I am lucky enough to be in a position which allows me to travel the world while remaining free from restraints. I can take my work anywhere with me and I feel extremely blessed to be in such a position of freedom.

Tips on styling up you swimwear for an all-day look?

Hoop earrings. They are my go-to if I need to add a little extra to my all-day look.

What’s your favourite colour?

White

Bali is our happy place too – what do you love about it?

It's a spiritual place, I really feel at home whenever I am in Bali. I have a lot of friends there which is always great, but essentially, Bali is where IIXIIST started so I will forever have a soft spot for it in my heart.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Coffee!!

How comfortable is your fabric, made from recycled materials?

By nature, I am very particular, so I was extremely thorough when making sure I sourced the very best recycled Lycras. The term 'recycled' is often associated with inadequacy, in the case of IIXIST Swim, that couldn't be further from the truth. Our recycled swim is the most luxurious on the market.

Podcast(s) you’re listening to?

A really good one I am listening to is The Elephant Rope.

What are you wearing this summer?

A bikini and a pair of tracky pants when the sun goes down (with a IIXIIST Darling Bralette on top of course!!)

How important is leaving a sustainable footprint?

To me, extremely. Waste, consumerism and consumption overall is increasing at a rapid rate. With IIXIIST holding a solid market share in the industry, I feel personally responsible in reducing this waste where possible.

Who inspires you?

The answer to this changes as I grow and as I learn things. When I overcome new and different obstacles my perception changes and so do the people that inspire me. Currently I am really inspired by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp (the guys who started Uber).

Your best stress buster?

Really mind-numbing TV (aka RHOBH).

What do you love about the Australian lifestyle?

Our beach culture. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I am a big fan of this country. We live in such a beautiful part of the world and our coastal lifestyle, our way of life, our laid back way of living - is unparalleled to anywhere in the world.

Your favourite lifestyle hack?

The DND feature [on my phone].

Sandwich order / favourite cocktail?

I'm sensitive to wheat so you won't ever really catch me ordering bread. Cocktail; Margarita.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen.

Best tip on shopping for your shape?

Buy what you feel comfortable in, not what you see in the magazines. Confidence is key when dressing, in a bikini or in a ballgown, if you feel good you LOOK good.

What is the biggest change you’d like to see in the fashion industry?

I am really tired of fast-fashion brands. I would love to see a shift back to independent label and individuality in street style fashion.

Sunrise or sunset?

Can I have both please?

Wise words everyone should know?

Setbacks and success; everything happens for a reason.

Loving IIXIIST Swim as much as we are? Check them out here.

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WORDS | Diana Moore TLSE

PHOTOGRAPHY | IIXIIST Swim