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Pinay-friendly bikinis

By Maripet L. Poso, Staff Writer

03/15/2009

We’re a long way from Brazilian goddesses who think nothing of itsy-bitsy bikinis, but nowadays Filipinas are no longer afraid to come out of the locker in swimwear. And no longer do we just sit bundled on the shore. Gone are the days when our beach gear consisted mainly of shorts and baggy shirts.

Gertie Hermanos, designer of Sassa Swimwear, asserts, “Filipinos are not that modest anymore when it comes to beachwear, but we are not that daring either. We are somewhere in between.”

Gertie says they do market research for Sassa as to what Filipinas want when it comes to swimsuits. Pinays, they discovered, want a balance. If their top is a little bit revealing, they want their bottom to have full coverage, or the other way around. “Design-wise, we have to make sure that it goes both ways. But most Pinays are more conservative on the bottom, hence boyleg styles are among our bestsellers,” she confirms.

When it comes to style, Pinays want to play it cool and safe. “Pinays almost always want something that’s similar with the rest, but a little different. They also love tankinis, but they want them special; it has to have unique accessories, and the cuts should be a little different. They also want to mix and match,” says the young designer, who owns 20 pairs or so of bikini herself.

Along with the upswing of the tourist destinations like Boracay and Palawan, the swimwear industry in the country has boomed. Suddenly, local lines have started to get noticed. And Sassa is one of the bestselling ones for its practical prices. Why spend P6,000 on a pair which you can only use twice or thrice a year anyway?

And unlike bikinis by foreign brands that are cut for Caucasian shapes, local manufacturers like Sassa make sure their products fit Pinay curves. Their designs are not so unforgiving to the body.

“It comes in sizes from small to extra large so no matter what your body type, there will be a swimsuit to complement your shape,” confirms Gertie. Sassa’s sizes are smaller than usual, so if you’re a small in other brands, you could be a medium in Sassa.

Prints, colors and designs vary to accommodate the taste of true-blooded Pinays. “We want to have different options,” says Gertie. “So whenever I make a collection, I make sure that there’s tankini, bikini, a one-piece swimsuit, boyleg, bandeau — everything, so they can mix and match. We also offer board shorts, rash guards, summer dresses, cover-ups or tank tops to pair with your bikinis.”

Their market research also confirms that Pinays don’t follow trends when it comes to colors. “They usually go for what they want personally. So we offer them options as well,” she adds.

During the recent launch of Gertie’s collection at the Aquaknox Restaurant in Makati, an array of colors were displayed: Blue, orange, black, pink and a lot of brown. Florals, halter and cute prints were also evident in the collection. Gertie says it is because most Pinays prefer feminine looks.

“Our fabric is 80 percent nylon and 20 elastane. It does not lose elasticity even if put away for a few months while waiting for summer to return,” adds Gertie. She says their fabrics are all chlorine-tested and will not fade even when exposed to the harmful combination of sun and chlorine. “We also make sure that our swimwear has a double lining. When you wear it, it’s not so tight and it’s not so thick either. Everything, even the white ones, has lining.”

And yes, in true Pinay swimwear fashion, the tops have removable pads. “It’s the customer’s option if they want to remove the pads or to make them bigger,” says Gertie.

They also sell their bikinis by pair or separately. “Our customers range from young kids to mothers, from teenagers to those in their mid 20s to 50s. We offer different designs for different lifestyles for different people.”

Sassa swim and active wear are available in The Landmark Makati and Trinoma, Robinson, SM Hypermarts, Metro Market! Market! and in leading departments stores nationwide. Check out www.sassa.com.ph or www.myayala.com for information.