AVENUE CALGARY - Meet Calgary-based Swimwear Designer Julia Barnes

September 03, 2015

Honubelle designer Julia Barnes at her Calgary studio.

PHOTO BY KAIT KUCY

As a windsurfer, kitesurfer and straight-up surfer, designer Julia Barnes lives, eats and breathes the lifestyle of her swimwear brand Honubelle. The mother of two started designing the line two years ago after she felt there was a gap in the swimwear market for active women like herself who also wanted something feminine and stylish. The line is made with Italian Lycra and is made at the best swimwear manufacturers in Bali, the collection became a reality for Barnes in 2014.

Now the cheeky swimsuits ($75 to $78 per piece) are currently taking the mountain-bound surfer girls of Calgary by storm with their seamless cuts and bright, poppy prints and colours. Whether you are hitting the waves or hanging loose on the shore, here are five pieces from the Honubelle collection:

Keho Bottom

The Keho Bottom ($78) is simultaneously cute and sexy with the strappy hip detail on a boy-short cut. Perhaps you aren’t ready to go full cheek with one of Honubelle’s bikini bottoms — this is a great way to ease into your outer cheekiness.

Kite Top

This top manages to give you full frontal coverage while still giving you the perfect surfer girl style. The versatile Kite Top ($78) has a racer back, so you can even layer a tank over it for a daytime look.

Tramontane Top

This top combines the femininity of the Honubelle brand with the practical sporty style that surfer girls require to pop-up and go. The tassels and adjustable straps are what make the Tramontane Top ($75) one to look out for.

Tofino Bottom

Julia Barnes recommends the Tofino Bottom ($75) as a staple in any surfer girl’s swimsuit collection because it hugs your hips and gives you a bit more coverage than the other Honubelle bikini bottoms.