Size-inclusive swimwear label makes fans of Chrissy Teigen, Naomi Campbell and a Thai trans influencer
- Angelys Balek went into fashion with a mission to design swimwear that would allow women to feel comfortable in their own skin, no matter their size
- As well as international celebrities, the Thai designer had unexpected support at home from a transgender blogger. ‘After she tagged us, it blew up,’ she says
As a young woman whose weight and body shape have fluctuated, Thai designer Angelys Balek knows how daunting it can be to buy swimwear, especially in Asia, where skinny and petite types are still favoured.
This is why, when Balek established her eponymous label in 2011, she wanted to cater to all body types, defying the notion that “cool fashion is only for skinny girls with long legs”, as she explains when we meet on a recent visit to Hong Kong.
‘She wants to look good in a size 2, not a 20’: plus-size in China
While size inclusivity has lately become a key requirement for swimwear and lingerie brands – cue the decline of Victoria’s Secret and the rise of democratic labels such as Aerie – it has always been at the heart of Balek’s company.
“One of the reasons I focused on swimwear was to help women feel comfortable in their own skin, regardless of whether they’re skinny, tall or big,” she says.
