Designer Dan Ward offers resortwear that combines creativity and functionality

If you think resortwear is exclusive to women, think again. As men have become more style-conscious, the market has seen an emergence of new brands in this category.

"Even if times are tough, what men continue to spend on is their off-time. They want to look good when they are vacationing. [Vacations] used to cover a three- or four-month period of the year, but now everyone is so mobile, it's always summer everywhere. Fashion stores and brands are starting to acknowledge that," says Dan Ward, founder of new resortwear brand Danward. Although it only officially launched this season, Danward is already creating buzz thanks to its fashion-forward swimwear, sandals and other necessities. In just one season it has already been picked up by prestigious retailers, including Lane Crawford, Selfridges, Harrods, Rinascente and Neiman Marcus. Its launch on Mr Porter was such a success that buyers have already put in a second order. So what does Danward offer that other brands don't? "If you look at the swimwear market, there's the active end which isn't very chic or pretty. Then you have the fashion end with brands, such as Gucci and Prada, who only create one or two styles a season. [Swimwear] is an after-thought for them.

"I felt that there were a lot of guys out there like me who want to have a designed alternative, but don't have the time to shop around.

"I am frustrated every time the season starts, and I can never find the right sandals. I knew I wanted to create a product with an urban feel, but also a quality element that a fashion guy would be looking for," he explains.

Indeed, Ward's background in men's fashion makes him the perfect candidate for the job. Although he graduated with a degree in chemistry, he was always attracted to creative disciplines. When it was time for medical school, he did a 180 and decided to devote his energy to a more arts-driven profession. He moved to Paris, where he completed a degree in commercial photography, before embarking on a 20-year career in the fashion industry.

His first gig happened to be at Hermès, the crème de la crème of luxury brands, where he was appointed head of menswear, commercial and marketing. A few years later, he relocated to London to work at Alfred Dunhill, overseeing the transformation of its menswear across design, development and manufacturing. Stints at Bally and Calvin Klein soon followed.

"I had worked in so many different arenas in the industry that by the end of it I knew how to create a complete product from start to finish. For me, Hermès was the universe of luxury and the most formative years in terms of who I am creatively. At Alfred Dunhill, I was able to redefine the brand, which was exciting. At Bally, it was an opportunity to focus on footwear and accessories. Calvin was aesthetically aligned to who I am, but I started forming the idea for Danward during this time," he says.

Although most of his experience was in the luxury sector, Ward also had a passion for the ocean. A former life as a competitive swimmer and a love for tropical climates (he grew up on the Japanese beaches of Okinawa) led him to come up with an idea for a resortwear brand that combined fashion and functionality with the best quality available.

The result is a line that's clean yet angular, with unexpected twists that make it chic and modern. Offerings for spring/summer 2013 include the understated yet chic flip-flops (in dark sleek rubber), and a complete shorts and swimwear collection. Quality was of paramount importance, so he opened up his address book of manufacturers he had worked with previously. Most of the items are made in Italy - the prints are designed by a printer based in Lake Como.