A Bermudian-based swimwear brand is doing its part in protecting the environment by introducing a new eco-friendly line.

Three years ago, designer Madeline Rose White started NOVAH Swimwear with the aim of creating high-quality, beautiful swimwear designed to mould to the body, accentuating femininity.

The new eco-friendly range is made from 100 per cent regenerated nylon, meaning it is not only recycled but the process it goes through purifies the nylon right back to its original quality. Furthermore, the process can be repeated again and again so it never needs to go to waste.

“It is made from plastics rescued from the world’s oceans and landfill, including discarded fishing nets and marine litter. The plastic is sorted and cleaned to recover as much nylon as possible, extracting any undesirable fibres and restoring the waste nylon back to its original purity. The recycled nylon is processed into textile yarns using as little energy and water possible, and can then be made into our swimwear material. Using regenerated nylon reduces the global warming impact by up to 80 per cent compared with nylon made from oil — cutting crude oil use and CO2 emissions,” Ms White said.

The company has just celebrated its three-year anniversary. The eco-friendly line has gained positive feedback from locals and overseas customers.

“The reception to the business and feedback on the product has been amazing, especially from Bermudians. My favourite thing to see is someone local wearing my swimwear,” Ms White said.

The reason for the decision to go eco-friendly was based on the wellbeing of the environment and plants.

“We are all becoming more aware of the damage being done, especially to the world’s oceans. My love for the ocean is what drove me to start NOVAH. Everyone needs to do their part — individuals, businesses and governments included — and it is so rewarding once you start,” Ms White said.

“We began by making changes to our packaging, removing all plastic and changing to recycled and sustainable paper gift boxes and cardboard mailing boxes, locally sourced from around our office location. We also diligently recycle. The big move was to create sustainable swimwear. Fashion is a notoriously unsustainable industry, and eco-friendly fabric options are limited.

“With a little research and planning, we managed to source an extremely high-quality fabric made from 100 per cent regenerated and recycled Lycra, allowing us to maintain the quality of our product alongside its sustainability.”

The eco collection was launched in April, and Ms White said they have already booked in production to expand the collection with their next drop in October for Resort 2019, using solely new recycled Lycra.

Ms White aims to live an eco -friendly lifestyle herself. “I avoid single-use plastic as much as possible, and recycle all of our household and business waste that is able to be recycled. I also avoid purchasing foods and products that use palm oil, or have not been sustainably sourced or fished, and try to buy recycled products whenever they are available,” she said.

NOVAH’s products are mainly sold online, however, several stores stock and sell the brand in the US and Switzerland. In Bermuda, the range is also available at both Luxury Gifts locations in the Hamilton Princess Hotel and Rosewood Tucker’s Point.

• For more information visit: http://www.novahswimwear.com