The New York-based luxury brand; Flagpole, was founded by two inseparable girls searching for stylish and practical swimwear. Flagpole was inspired by iconic American style, with its beyond-the-beach aesthetic that bridges the gap between swim, athletic, and ready-to-wear. The goal of Flagpole is to empower women by giving them a bold, active, confident, and stylish look.
“Joellen” – $405
Megan Balch and Jamie Barker met while attending an arts high school in West Palm Beach, Florida, sharing a love for both dance and the South Florida Beach culture. At just 14 years old the two began plotting how one day they would create a business together. Flagpole was later founded in 2013 with the idea to combine their knowledge of swimwear from growing up on the beach and leotard support from the hours they spent at the dance studio.
Aesthetic and quality are what influence Balch and Barker when producing these luxury swimsuits for their customers. Balch and Barker work hands-on with artisan tailors in the heart of New York City’s Fashion District to perfect the fit and function of each collection. “We are constantly trying to be on the development side of our designs to stay ahead of the aesthetic curve. There are not many brands that can compete with us on quality.”
Flagpole is also created to integrate into all aspects of a woman’s wardrobe by featuring the latest trends while also being casual and practical. “We both have the same taste and vision of what we want our woman to look like. We have always been drawn to minimalism and colors, with the idea that fashion should not only be beautiful, but also functional and comfortable. These are the leading principles that we start designing every season with,” they said.
The Summer 2017 collection features a trendy balance of sophistication and fun, bright colors. The use of strong architectural lines, bold color palettes, and strategically placed cutouts help to inspire confidence and sophistication. “Megan has always been obsessed with watermelon and we loved the challenge of creating an entire line that subtly and sophisticatedly played off this very whimsical and very summery color palette,” said Barker.
“Jade” – $385
American-made goods are hard to come by these days, and Flagpole’s ‘Made in New York’ certification is something the girls are most proud of. “Being able to support an industry where we can see not only how our product is handled but are able to interact with and build relationships with the women who are sewing our swimwear is important to us. And in return what we are able to provide to our customers is one of the most well-made suits we know they have ever worn.”
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