A CROATIAN SWIMWEAR BRAND THAT DOUBLES AS A LOVE LETTER TO THE SEA
By: Erica Commisso
Croatian entrepreneur Erik Leutar found the fabric to start his just-launched luxury swimwear brand, Aventura Swim, by accident. He’d always had a love for the sea - and a strong desire to protect it - but a chat on a beach with his friend sparked something in him.
“We were talking about how many bikinis she owned — and how most end up unused or thrown away, contributing to ocean pollution. I had always wanted to protect the sea, but never had a clear direction. That conversation changed everything. We thought: what if we could do the opposite — take plastic out of the ocean and turn it into something beautiful?”
Source: Aventura Swimwear
From there, I began researching sustainable fabric options and came across Econyl® — a regenerated nylon made from ocean waste like fishing nets and plastic bottles. It immediately stood out, not only because of its eco-impact but also because we found a high-quality supplier in Italy, where we planned to produce the collection. It felt like the perfect fit — both for the planet and for the premium feel we wanted.”
The result is a range of swimwear that combines luxury and sustainability and hangs its hat on being flattering for real women with real bodies. The Econyl® fabric is crafted to be sculpting, made with strategic cuts and supportive construction, and Leutar says that each piece is built to hug in the right places, hold where it matters, and highlight a woman’s natural shape without compromising comfort.
Source: Aventura Swimwear
The newly launched inaugural collection features eight swimsuits, four of which are one-pieces and four of which are bikinis. Each piece, Leutar says, represents the brand’s core design values - bold design, refined fit, and timeless confidence. In terms of growth, Leutar says he’s intentional about the way Aventura will expand.
He notes that the sizing will become more inclusive, he will not compromise the commitment to sustainability. “We believe in slow, intentional fashion — so rather than chasing constant drops, we’ll focus on releasing 1 to 2 collections per year.” Each new release, he says, will offer careful design to reflect bold yet timeless design, sustainability, and a commitment to high-quality production “This approach allows us to maintain a high level of craftsmanship, minimize waste, and ensure that every piece we release has purpose and staying power.”
At the core of the brand, too, is a commitment to luxury, which, to Leutar is an all-encompassing experience. “It starts with the story: Aventura was born from a deep respect for the ocean and a desire to turn waste into beauty,” he says. “From there, we chose only the finest sustainable fabrics, like regenerated nylon from Italy, known for its soft, sculpting feel and long-lasting quality.
“Each piece is crafted in small batches by skilled women artisans on the Amalfi Coast. The craftsmanship is personal — every cut, stitch, and seam is made with care. We also design custom metal hardware that gives each swimsuit a distinctive identity, setting it apart from mass-produced options.
Source: Aventura Swimwear
“But luxury doesn’t stop at production. From the moment a customer visits our site to the moment their swimsuit arrives at their door, we’ve thought through every detail: elegant packaging made from recycled materials, a reusable swimwear pouch, and a personalized unboxing experience that reflects how important each customer is to us.”
To mark the unveiling of the debut collection, Aventura Swimwear showed at Miami Swim Week, and Leutar is using is at a spring board to bring his designs around the world. The brand will also present at Ibiza Swim Week as its official European debut. But Lauter and Aventura Swimwear will also host a special runway show in Leutar’s native Croatia to bring the brand back to where it all began - the Croatian sea.