Is customised swimwear the future of luxe resort wear? Tizzi’s founder Shekha Berry thinks so

The founder and creative director of Tizzi is committed to offering sustainable swimwear that can be customised for your body

As exciting as planning a beach vacation is, finding the perfect swimwear is quite the opposite, especially when it comes to getting a bikini that fits right or a swimsuit meant for a curvy Indian body. When Shekha Berry noticed this gap in the market, she decided to bridge it by building a resort wear brand that is committed to quality, sustainability and can be customised to offer a fit that is moulded for you.

“For me, comfort, a great fit, sustainability and fabric breathability were essentials when it came to swimwear, which I couldn’t find in the market,” says Berry, who launched Tizzi in August this year. Made from regenerated nylon, Tizzi’s colourful range of swimwear also provides UV protection and is chlorine resistant ( though that’s no excuse for you to skip sunscreen). To understand the resort wear market in India, we caught up with Berry who sheds more light on sustainability, her design process and why made-to-measure is the way to go in swimwear.

Swimwear and resort wear are very niche sub-sections of the fashion segment in India. Why did you decide to get into it?

My love for travel and passion for swimwear and resort wear brought Tizzi to life. I realised there was a gap in the Indian market and used customer insights to allay the concerns I often had while buying swimwear. At Tizzi, we take the philosophy of feeling good in our own skin seriously, which reflects in everything we do. We make the most flattering designs that are great to look at, better to wear, and most importantly, make you feel beautiful. We want Tizzi to be your vacation bestie–the one that makes you feel beautiful, gives you a boost of confidence and ensures you have fun.

As a clothing label, how do you try to be sustainable and conscious about the environment, especially and the ocean?

Our swimwear is made from ECONYL®–a type of regenerated nylon–that moulds to and moves with one’s body, offering a perfect fit. Additionally, it is breathable, provides UV protection and is chlorine resistant. For us, going the ‘conscious’ route was a purposeful decision because we want the customers to use the products for a longer time and decrease their carbon footprint. Even our swimsuits have hygiene liners that are made from recycled paper.

Since your fabrics come from Europe, can you share the process of sourcing them, as well as manufacturing and retail?

We began sourcing from various suppliers from across India and overseas before we finalised on our fabric partner from Europe. While sourcing, the most important criteria before placing an order is to check the certification of the company towards environmental management as well as the certification of fabric, following which we select the colours and quantity. Upon receipt, we manufacture each garment in-house at our workshop in Gurugram, based on our collection designs. The team pays extra attention to detail and craft to ensure there is no compromise on the quality and overall look of our final product.

How does your love for travel inspire you when it comes to your designs and collections?

Vacations give you the time to explore the natural splendour of the world and make memories [that] you keep revisiting as they fill your heart with joy. The ideal way to dress while creating these memories is in stunning swimwear that makes you feel fabulous. When it comes to aesthetics, I have included the incredible diversity, vibrant shapes and sounds that inspire me during my travels. My debut collection is inspired by the universe and the elements of the ocean. We have three edits:  ‘Celestial Sorcery’, ‘Cosmic Ocean’ and ‘Swoon’.

How do you incorporate the idea of inclusivity of all shapes and sizes?

We cater to all body types and are committed to making everyone feel beautiful and confident in their own skin. We offer sizing from XS to XXXL, i.e. UK 6 to UK 18 and also offer customisation in our designs.

The concept of customisation in swimwear is rare. What made you opt for the made-to-measure route?

Indians are usually conscious of their body type and conservative in the styles of swimwear we could sport on a holiday with our friends and family. Having the option of customisation makes it easier for a customer to select styles and designs as per her comfort. For example, a bikini set with high-waisted bottoms or a tankini with shorts or skirts. Customisation ensures the right fit which makes a woman embrace her curves and feel confident of her body. I want to offer swimwear and swim-friendly separates to women that can be layered and built upon to create fun transitional looks, from day to night or pool to brunch party.

How do you plan to expand Tizzi?

We want to create our presence in key metro cities and tier-two cities of India and then launch in the United Arab Emirates. We will start with pop-ups in the coming months to showcase our debut collection and let consumers experience our product in person.  

Also Read: 7 sustainable swimwear brands you can find in India

Also Read: Apple skin to make your handbag? Sustainable e-commerce brand Sarjaa makes it possible

Also Read: How is sustainability measured in the Indian fashion industry?