Want To Serve Looks at the Lake? Paloma Elsesser’s New Collaboration With Dos Swim Is Your Best Bet

Anyone with a body that falls outside of the fashion industry’s punishing norm knows how painful shopping for swimwear can be. The average American woman is a size 16, yet it often feels like most of the swimsuits on the market are designed to leave out as many body types as possible. Dos Swim, the swimwear line created by Paula Hess and Shay Johnson whose sizes range from XS to 3XL, aims to alleviate some of that stress with low-maintenance yet sexy options for a wide variety of bodies. Their new collaboration with model Paloma Elsesser is all about fun prints, curve-hugging fits, and eye-catching details. Itty-bitty gingham bikinis are paired with oversized cargo and jean shorts and capped off with ties reminiscent of hiking-boot laces, all adding up to the ideal look for those seeking to be active and cute by the water.

Elsesser is known for pushing fashion to become more inclusive, and this new collection—for which Mayan Toledano photographed a down-to-earth campaign in upstate New York—is a perfect encapsulation of her efforts. “I think the swimwear industry is reflective of the fashion industry, which ultimately sends messages like, ‘This is what’s flattering, so this is what you have permission to wear'”, says Elsesser. “While the swimwear industry has exploded in the last two years, it did feel like there was a decline in swimwear that was cool and passable and chunky-girl-friendly. Shay and Paula and I are friends, and because of our relationship, we were able to really walk through all the steps of what might feel good on a range of body types.”

“People use the word ‘collaboration’ so loosely, but with Paloma, it just felt natural,” says Johnson. The trio worked together on everything, explains Johnson, including “the styles, the color, the sizes, the shapes.” Elsesser adds that they were frequently meeting to try things on and discuss, “at my apartment at twelve o’clock at night.”

The campaign photos themselves are as laid-back and effortlessly beautiful as your coolest Instagram acquaintance’s vacation candids, yet still polished enough to confirm that this is a swimwear line for people who are serious about serving looks at the beach or pool. “As a model, I know how rough set days can be, and we really wanted to cultivate a space where every girl felt really good,” says Elsesser. See exclusive images of the Dos Swim x Paloma Elsesser swimwear line below:

Photographer: Mayan Toledano

Stylist: Zara Mirkin

Creative Producer: Ariella Starkman

Hair: Evanie Frausto

Makeup: Sena Murahashi

Photographer Assistant: Jesse Gouveia

Stylist Assistant: Spencer Singer

Hair Assistant:

Makeup Assistant: Emma Ando

Production Key: Jansan Pierre

Intern: Wenni Iben