Halifax ‘Slow Fashion’ Swimwear Company Open for Business
HALIFAX – On April 1, 2023, sisters Chelsey and Mackenzie Hall launched their new swimwear business, ONE Handmade Swimwear. After months of promoting, the Halifax-based company has finally opened its online shop.
ONE Handmade Swimwear aims to create pieces that are “as unique as the people who are wearing it.” Being a slow-fashion company, every piece is made to order, with each piece of locally sourced fabric creating around 1-3 bikinis.
“Instead of just fitting in and wearing what everyone else was wearing, I wanted to get some fun patterns out there and let people be really confident that this bikini was made for them, and they chose it because it matched their personality,” Chelsey tells Huddle.
Each style of top and bottom will be offered in a variety of sizes and patterns to help every individual feel comfortable, unique, and truly themselves.
“I also want to say that if someone doesn’t feel like their size is on [the website], then they can absolutely contact me, and I will make them a custom order, I have no problem with that,” says Chelsey. “I just want to make sure that everyone is able to purchase from the website.”
By only using locally sourced fabric, ONE Handmade Swimwear is reducing its impact on the environment. By going to places like Fabricville, Chelsey says she searches for pieces of fabric that are either scraps or not as popular anymore.
“I only need to make at least one [bikini]” she says. “Looking at [scraps] or looking at last season’s colours, colours that would normally just be kind of thrown out, and I like to source from there.”
ONE Handmade Swimwear went live at 12:00PM on April 1st. Chelsey says that it was immediately a hit.
“Orders were coming in from strangers and some friends. It was super, super exciting! I have never been so nervous for something. But it went really, really well” she says.
The company is currently being run completely by Chelsey and Mackenzie. From promoting on and managing their social media, to handmaking the pieces themselves, Chelsey says that her and her sister are really enjoying their new business.
“It’s super fun! I’ve had some young girls reach out to me asking if they could model for me and stuff which I think is super cool that they feel comfortable and that they really want to represent the brand” Chelsey tells Huddle. “It’s been super exciting and lots of smiles.”
Currently, ONE Handmade Swimwear offers two styles of both tops and bottoms, with more to come in the upcoming months. Although they are completely online with Canada-wide shipping at the moment, Chelsey says that they are considering in the future placing some racks in some New Brunswick and Nova Scotia based boutiques.
Ryley Roach is a Huddle student intern, based in Fredericton. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected]