Greek sunsets, swimwear & 70’s vibes with Arabella London

It’s swimwear season and we are counting down the days til we can enjoy dazzling ocean swims, sunset boat trips, long summer days and cocktails by the pool, so we thought we’d speak to swimwear guru Arabella, of Arabella London, about the launch of her new collection. 

Last year, Arabella and her team headed out to our stunning Domes of Elounda for their photoshoot ahead of their 2021 launch, and with all the hectic-ness of the last year we hadn’t had a chance to properly catch up about Crete, their trip and their collection.

P.S. Love the pieces as much as we do? Treat yourself to an exclusive 15% off the full collection with the discount code ‘OLIVERSTRAVELS’ at checkout.

1. Tell us about your new collection – what was the inspiration?

This season, we hark back to the glamorous heyday of the 1970’s jet set, drawing inspiration from retro colours and motifs. Our new hues include vibrant ‘Electric Orange’, the positively optimistic ‘Sunbeam’ yellow, a glimmering day to dancefloor-ready ‘Bronze Shimmer’ and a sophisticated, earth-toned ‘Olive Green’, which will set off sun-kissed skin beautifully. Our two new prints are fabulously vintage-inspired and come in the form of the ditzy, bloom-dotted ‘Vintage Floral’ and the leopard-spotted ‘Wild Thing’. An escape from the everyday has never been more alluring!

2. It’s interesting that your pieces are multi-functional, and can be worn at any time of day – not just for the beach – what made you go down that route?

I wanted to reimagine swimwear as a multifunctional garment. I was determined to create a line of flattering and fashion-forward separates that were both transitional and trans-seasonal. The pieces are crafted with versatility in mind; tailored styles can be worn as elegant bodysuits – for instance – the Contour Swimsuit looks stunning worn after dark with wide-leg trousers and the more relaxed styles, such as the Plunge Crop – can be worn as ‘swimtimates’ on a lazy day.

3. Do you have a favourite piece in your new collection?

I absolutely love the “Ruffle Bra” – a brand new addition to the Arabella London line-up. The bra features a hand-finished underwired top with playful ruffled straps.

4. What would you say are the top 3 things people need to consider when shopping for swimwear?

Swimwear is often quite unstructured. Combining stretch-fabric, integrating wires, moulded cups, and panelling is the only way to create unique shapes on the body that stay put. We recommend venturing into structured swimwear if you haven’t already – for something sturdy and silhouette-sculpting to support, shape and compliment your natural curves.

Next, our pieces are crafted with clever details to flatter the figure. Wide, ruched straps look ultra-glamorous whilst adding that extra bit of coverage at the inside of the arm. Structured cups teamed with oversized, adjustable tie-fastenings at the back create the perfect fit. Always look for a tie-back option as this enables you to customise the fit to your body.

Bodies are all different and we offer our customers the ability to select different top and bottom sizes. This is crucial for bikini shopping as it is never a “one size fits all”. We are working on developing our one-piece options so we can cater to a wider range of top/bottom combinations. Watch this space!

5. How was your shoot, and your time, in Crete?

We had the most incredible photoshoot at Domes of Elounda. The scenic spot had everything to offer for a luxury swimwear shoot – multiple saltwater & freshwater pools across the resort, a private natural sandy beach, a boat trip at sunrise with views of the islands of Kalydon and Spinalonga along with a gorgeously quaint local town scattered with seafood restaurants along the water.

6. Why did you choose Domes of Elounda for your shoot?

This location was made for our ’21 collection. The hotel overlooks turquoise waters with stunning panoramic views of the castle on Spinalonga Island – breathtaking views and sensational sunrise and sunsets. The hillside setting and earthy colours of the landscape complimented our olive Green, burnt orange and leopard print colour ways perfectly. The location is mystical & magical and unlike anywhere we have shot before.

7. How was your stay there, and what did you think of the property?

The property was amazing – there are so many accommodation options to choose from. Our team had three luxury villas which were each special in their own way with private pools, gorgeous furnishings and spectacular views. The staff at the hotel were on hand at all times – the service was immaculate and after long shoot days beginning at sunrise we would relax in the evening with drinks and dinner at the hotel – delicious food in an amazing setting.

8. Have you got any holidays planned for later this year?

I’d love to go back to Greece – perhaps one of the islands like Santorini…

9. When it comes to packing your holiday suitcase, what are your trusty staples?

I always take a wide-brimmed hat by Australian designer Sarah Curtis and Piz Buin’s Instant Glow, a great sunscreen with light-reflecting pearls that give your skin a golden glow while protecting it from the sun.

10. What new wardrobe trends are you absolutely loving this year?

I am absolutely loving the belted-brief trend in swimwear. We have updated our best-selling briefs with a glamorous gold-buckled belt. I cannot wait to wear the collection this summer. An escape from the everyday has never been more alluring.

If you’d like to keep up-to-date with all things Arabella London, follow them on their Instagram (@arabellalondon). Our helpful concierge team are always available if you’ve got any questions about our villas or if you’d like them to help you organise your stay and any added extras to make your Greece holiday tailored to you!