Designer Spotlight Sale: Basta Surf

Andy Gray | Aug 11, 2013

Every Monday, SwimDaily will feature a flash sale highlighting different companies that contribute to the SI Swimsuit Issue. This week, we are proud to feature Basta Surf. The company, started in 2009 by Samantha August, offers a chic collection of swimwear inspired by Samantha's travels and love for surfing.  

www.bastasurf.com

carly@bastasurf.com

• Use code SWIMDAILYBASTAFLASH35 to save 35% on Percy dress in white, Zunzal in rodi, Raglan in peacock & lime and Raglan in noir & bunny. (from noon on 8/12 to noon on 8/13).
• Use code SWIMDAILYBASTA2013 to save 15% on all store products (from 8/13-8/18).

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It's fairly common for someone to daydream at work about picking up for a year and traveling the world. For Basta Surf founder, Samantha August, that daydream became reality. In 2008, August left her job at Conde Nast, purchased a ticket around the world and took a year in search of surf and adventure. After returning to NYC, August was inspired and created her own collection of swimwear based on her travels and love of surfing. Two years later, she invited her friend Emily Ford to join the company and Basta Surf took off. But the two made sure they were doing something good for the environment.  "In addition to creating beautiful swimwear, we also want to support and promote awareness for leaving this planet a little better than how we found it," August says. "A portion of all sales will be given to Global Water, a charity she supports, believes in and wants to promote.  Each hangtag is made of 100% recycled paper and embedded with wildflower seeds.  This means you can plant, water & watch it grow."

And that's not all. August boasts that all Basta swimsuits are crafted in Los Angeles and are created from advanced luxury Italian fabrics. The suits have been spotted on a wide range of celebrities including Jessica Alba and Olivia Munn. So where does the Basta name come from? "Basta means enough,” says August. "This word was used frequently when the line was created in trying to make a collection that was more aware of a woman’s body, focused on thoughtful construction and quality." The company is looking to expand into a lifestyle brand and will soon add a menswear and home collection. It also recruited SI Swimsuit model Julie Henderson to create her own line of swimwear. The future certainly looks bright for Basta.

Q&A Excerpts

SwimDaily: How has Sports Illustrated Swimsuit impacted your brand?

Samantha August: SI has created awareness & credibility. We are honored to be a part of history each year that SI creates.

SD: What has is been like working with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit? What does your company do to prepare for the Swimsuit year to come?

SA: It has been exciting & creatively challenging.  It allows for us to look beyond our classic collection and be wildly creative to produce pieces for editorial purposes.  We also love to get to see our swim on some of the most beautiful women in the world!

SD: Where do you see swim trends in 10 years?

SA: We will see more interesting materials used and designs that are meant to flatter a woman’s figure.  At least that’s what we are hoping for!

SD: What does the 50th anniversary of the Swimsuit Issue mean to you?

SA: