A common theme with these handmade bikini brands is the women empowerment built into their ethos. Capittana, based in Peru, and luxury label Agua Bendita, from Colombia, both employ mothers and at-risk women, enabling them to support their families, improve their living conditions, and earn a fair wage.
Ancient skills are passed down through generations and nurtured by these brands to create unique garments and improve rural communities.
South American labels are known to draw on their rich surroundings to inspire their designs. So it's no surprise that many of these handmade swimsuits feature exotic and feminine floral prints.
Brands
Agua Bendita is the brand's main line of feminine luxury swimwear. The label's dresses and swimsuits are all handcrafted by talented women who work from home in Antioquia, Colombia.
Agua by Agua Bendita is the luxury spin-off label from Colombian brand Agua Bendita. The label's exquisite cover-ups and swimsuits are rich in pattern and made by local female artisans.
Capittana is a Peruvian label creating swimwear embellished with beautiful floral prints. Its foundations lie in female empowerment with the quality garments handcrafted by at-risk women and solo mothers in Lima.
Palmacea is a Colombian swimwear brand known for timeless cuts and its use of modern nature-inspired prints. Handmade in Bogota.
ViX is much loved for its Brazilian-made luxury swimsuits. Designed by Brazilian Paula Hermanny to make women feel confident on the beach.