Hong Kong's beachwear fashion industry primed for growth

Hong Kong's beachwear fashion has been thriving in recent years with several local businesses opting to launch their own labels. Business-friendly regulations, upscale infrastructure, which includes swanky mall and luxury fashion boutiques, and being just a stone's throw away from major manufacturing hubs in mainland China have resulted in a swimwear fashion market that is primed for growth.

Most releases adopt sustainable materials, including recycled fibers and natural yarns. Some come in styles not readily available in the market such as mix-and-match separates and reversible designs.

Local news daily South China Morning Post listed recently five Hong Kong beachwear startups making a name domestically that can also hold their own in the international market.

Mint Escape
The brand offers a line of modern swimwear, focusing on mix-and-match separates. This allows customers to mix and match different styles and sizes to suit their tastes and body type.

Hollow
The label's selection consists of minimalist pieces in "understated colors not typically classed as a summer palette." The brand also aims to reduce its carbon footprint by using reusable bags as packaging instead of the traditional single-use plastic.

Transcend
This range of sustainable bikinis had a successful Kickstarter campaign, launching swimwear made of a material called Econyl, a pure nylon fiber from Italy derived from regenerated fishing nets and carpets. The line also comes in innovative styles from reversible designs to strapped pieces that transform into strapless versions in a snap.

Mazu Resortwear
Focusing on men's swimwear, the brand uses sustainable materials such as recycled fabric blends and bamboo fibers. The label is also using fashion as a platform to raise awareness on ocean conservation, in particular, saving the endangered Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin.

Grana
The e-commerce brand has a range of men's and women's beachwear, and also offers functional fabrics direct to consumers.