INTERVIEW #86 TUMLA
Based in: Halmstad on the west coast of Sweden
Founded in: 2022
Founded by: Josefin and Alex
Stores: Worldwide shipping at www.worldoftumla.com
Price range: Bikinis starting at 60 euros
Tumla, welcome to A Sustainable Closet! Tell us about your story and why you started your brand?
Thank you so much for reaching out to us! We are so happy that you found us and our newly started business! So this all started out with a love for the ocean, and the vision of sharing that love and inspiring more women to get out into the sea. As a female surfer, it has always been hard to find products that are not only designed for the looks, but also for the purpose to perform when being active in the water. We wanted to build a bridge between these two and show that swimwear can be classy and good-looking without tampering with the functionality.
And since Tumla is born and raised by the sea we feel that is a no-brainer to make our contribution to a more sustainable future by not only taking the material and quality of the products into consideration but also throwing in a timeless design and versatility that will make the product last and stay in style for a long time.
How are you working with sustainability today, do you hold any certificates?
We are always trying to contribute in the best way that we can. Our products are made from ECONYL, which is recycled nylon made from old fishing nets floating around in the sea. The company that makes this material is based in Italy, and by using this ECONYL in our products we are not only reducing the impact by up to 80% compared to nylon produced in a traditional way but also contributing to cleaning up the seas from the trash.
Our materials are shipped to the factory, which is a small family-run business in the north of Portugal. We love to work with small factories close to where we are based, as it is so much easier for us to be sure that the requirements for both working standards and working ethics are met.
The core of our brand is to make a product that is long-lasting, both when it comes to fashion and quality. We want to design timeless elegant pieces, with the highest possible quality, that can both perform when being active and when hanging around by the beach. We think that if the products that we make have endless versatility they will stay with you for a long time, and really embrace that slow-fashion feeling. And all of our products are made with easy down-to-earth colours for you to mix and match and are sold separately so that you don't have to buy anything that you don’t need to, and they can easily match with other existing pieces already in your closet.
Who is the typical Tumla customer?
Anyone appreciating high-quality swimwear thoroughly designed to both keep it classy on land and to perform when entering the water, and knowing that it helps contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry!
Describe how you could wear a Tumla bikini for a summer party.
For summer evening hangouts, we really love all of our tops, the cuts and colours are really easy to match with most clothing to get that perfect beach party vibe.
Where do you find inspiration?
From nature and especially the ocean. Also from other creative brands and people.
What have been and are the major challenges of starting Tumla?
We have really been trying hard to get the perfect fit and sizing for our products and to choose the right colours and cuts. We really wanted to create that perfect product that will last longer and stay in fashion for a long time, and this required a lot of time to find that sweet spot. Also making our website has required some patience, I tell you.
What do you think needs to change in the swimwear industry to make it more sustainable?
We believe the biggest issue is the fast fashion industry, with cheap low quality items made only to look good but that don't last for long. We think that by producing good quality products with a timeless design you will keep them with you for a long time.
The best thing about Tumla?
The best thing is probably not having to choose between function and style! You can be sure that all our pieces will follow you wherever you want to go. We also love the possibilities to mix and match, not only with our products but also with existing items in your closet!
What's up next?
Next up is a secret, but a little hint is that it might be a bit thicker than your regular swimsuit.
