Designer Jessika Allen of stunning Australian swimwear label JETS chatted with Di Cant recently for istylefashion.com.au

Q Jessika, where did your career begin? Was there a formal education or training in swimwear design and construction?

A I studied fashion design at the University of Technology gaining a first class honours degree in Fashion and Textiles and a postgraduate course in Tailoring at the Istituto Marangoni in Milan.

In the early 80’s I was designing body suits (which were all the rage then), and this influenced me in my love for stretch fabrics. From there, I combined my knowledge of tailoring with these new fabrics and made a natural progression into swimwear

Q When you were a small child did you live near a beach, did you grow up thinking about swimsuits and how you would one day design them?

A Swimwear is one of my earliest childhood memories. I remember sitting on the sand at Balmoral Beach, wearing a yellow gingham check swimsuit complete with pom-poms. I loved that swimsuit and I used to spend a lot of time designing similar creations for my beloved dolls out of paper doilies.

Q With your designs each summer are you inspired by colour, fabric or is it more about fashion history or new technology in fabrics?

A All of the above! The starting point for each new collection involves sourcing luxurious fabrics, designing original prints, creating a theme whether the inspiration comes from beautiful objects, or nostalgic glimpses of bygone eras, art movements, ancient distant cultures and nature.

Q Describe your most favourite JETS swimsuit of all time. Was it a one piece or bikini?

A That’s a hard question. Every season it’s something new. This season I love our delicate watercolour daffodil placement print – it’s a moulded one piece with wide straps featuring tiny knot details, and it has a matching silk shirred skirt with a beautiful border of watercolour daffodils.

Q What style is in more demand this season? And what is the best selling colour in JETS?

A The one piece!

We almost always feature a one piece on the front cover of our catalogue. This year it is a stunning one piece in carbon lustre, cleverly draped and cut, to create an hour glass illusion with slight cut outs and a low back – very sexy!

Q How important is the sarong, shirt or cover up to your customer?

A Our swimsuits are designed to take you from poolside to barside, so the sarong is an important part of the complete look. This season must-have styles include Trapeze tunic tops, A-line dresses, elegant belted shirts and, of course, sarongs.

Q Have you saved any of your original swimsuits and will there one day be an archive or museum?

A We archive every collection as it becomes a great library for us and a reminder of where we have been.

Q How would you describe your personal style?

A Modern, yet timeless, sleek and comfortable.

Q Is Travel important to you, if so what is your favourite travel destination and why?

A I have a love for Italy: poolside in Positano or anywhere on the Amalfi coast. I enjoy watching the woman change at least 3 times a day into new swimwear outfits as they dip in and out of the pool!

Q Which celebrity or model wears JETS?

A Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Sarah Murdoch and Paris Hilton.

Q What has been the best moment in your career?

A Having Selfridges in London buy the entire collection at Fashion Week.

Q You obviously are a high achiever and hard worker. Do you have a special goal you can share with us? Where to from here?

A To continue to produce unique and innovative swimwear that my customers have grown to rely on! I love to discover new technologies in fabric and print.

Q How do you manage to work so hard and still have a life apart from this demanding business?

A I have a very supportive family! We also try to escape down the coast as often as possible with our daughter.

Q We admire and wear your gorgeous swimsuits – my favourite one is that choc tulle lycra mesh strapless maillot from two seasons back and I am still wearing it. How long should you be able to wear a swimsuit –do they change as quickly as fashion?

A If you take care of your swimsuit you can have it for many years! Our swimwear is created with an understanding of timeless modern elegance rather than fast fashion.

Also Jets upholds a standard of superior quality through its craftsmanship and unique design style, so our swimsuits not only maintain shape, they also continue to make you look great, too!

How delightful to speak with this talented young swimwear designer and manufacturer Jessika Allen for her label, JETS.

Website for Jets stockists www.jets.com.au
Di Cant for www.istylefashion.com.au