HartiSWIM: Playful, Pop Art Glamour for the Poolside
Ellen Lewis
By ESTELLE PULESTON
Founded in 2022, HartiSWIM is a swimwear and lifestyle brand that’s all about storytelling, self-expression, and dressing up for the beach. It was created by Tessa Hartmann – a fashion industry veteran with almost 30 years’ experience in PR and branding – and her two daughters, and is based around the works of her artist husband, Harti.
A fan of circa 1990s Moschino with its statement pop art prints, Tessa had what she describes as a lightbulb moment when she realized that her husband’s dynamic and vividly-colored paintings would also look incredible on fabric. And inspired by her local Channel Islands beaches and sand dunes, she quickly settled on swimwear as the canvas to bring her art-meets-fashion concept to life.
Speaking about the brand’s philosophy, she told me that “This is what you call ‘wearable art’… each painting has a thought-provoking narrative. So, we kept the name of the painting across the swimwear too, so our customers can discover the deeper meaning of each piece of art.”The current 28-piece collection includes a wide variety of one-piece and bikini shapes, everything from little string bikinis and plunge-necked swimsuits through to long-sleeved rash guards and skirted cover-ups. Though eclectic, it’s very intentional – Tessa wanted to ensure that they were designing for all women, and for that, being a team of three women at different stages of life really came in handy.
There are fuller-coverage looks created with Tessa’s 45+ age group in mind, athletic pieces for daughter Valentina’s 35+ age group, and younger, more daring shapes designed to appeal to daughter Tallia Storm’s 18-25 demographic.
Also included in the HartiSWIM collection are kaftans, sarongs and a chiffon ‘hoodie’, many of them available in a choice of prints to coordinate with the different swimsuits. “I set out to redefine the concept of pool side elegance,” says Tessa, “Our satin kaftans embody a sophisticated but fun seaside grace, blending our bold pop art graphics with functional elegance, perfect for that seamless transition from beach to bar.”
It was also highly important to Tessa that HartiSWIM be a sustainable brand. As well as joining 1% for the Planet, the brand also chose to use Repreve®, a fabric made from recycled plastic bottles collected from the coastlines of places that lack formal waste or recycling systems. Harti’s artwork is then added using a sustainable and azo dye-free digital printing process, turning discarded waste into the basis for a garment that you will, ideally, be able to enjoy for life.
Tessa emphasizes that these swimsuits – which are made to a premium standard and include linings – maintain their bold color wash after wash, and will “last forever” with the right care. The fabric is also chlorine resistant, and as an added bonus, offers factor 50+ UV protection.
In keeping with its sustainable ethos, HartiSWIM is taking a slow and thoughtful approach to product development. There won’t be any seasonal collections, just gradual additions to the range over time. Harti is launching his fourth major artwork series this November, which you can expect to make its way onto any new swim and beachwear pieces added in 2025.
The debut collection covers US sizes 2-16, and is priced from £135-£250 (approx. $175-$325) for bikini sets and swimsuits, and £220-£995 (approx. $285-$1,300) for cover-ups. There is also a deck chair available!
