How luxury swimwear became big business

a recent boom in the luxury swim market suggests the rest of the world is catching up

AAccording to data from Allied Market Research, in 2017 the global swimwear market was valued at $18.4 billion. This is expected to rise to $28.1 billion by 2024 – a huge boom for a product once considered seasonal and non-essential. And, while the majority of this will come from mass market brands, the luxury industry is taking a significant slice. High end e-tailer Mr Porter, for example, has tripled the number of swimwear brands it stocks since 2011 with buying director Fiona Firth citing both the emergence of new specialist brands and established fashion houses adding swimwear to their collections as a key driver of this expansion.

The ability to travel is becoming a marker of one's social status and social media documentation is important. Most people do not want to showcase their trip with boring or repeated swimsuits.