Plus-size brand ELOQUII partners with Gabi Gregg on two swimwear collections
Today ELOQUII releases the second of two swimwear collections done in collaboration with influencer Gabi Gregg of @GabiFresh. Inclusively sized from 14 to 32, the collections continue the tradition of stylish swimwear that Gregg has championed for over a decade.
Gregg’s journey began in 2008 when she was inspired to help fill the void that she saw within the fashion space for plus-size people and started a blog to offer style tips, inspiration and encouragement to her readers. In 2012, Gregg started a revolution by popularizing the word “fatkini.” As one of the first influencers to provide a voice for fashion lovers size 14 and above, Gregg is well known for creating a line of plus-size swimsuits created to debunk stereotypes and empower women of all sizes to wear any swimsuit they want.
In the past decade, we’ve watched the culture change as body positivity and plus-size fashion have become parts of the mainstream. Gregg remembers a time before that. “When I started my career, there were so few swim options in plus sizes, especially ones that were stylish. I’d frequently hear from my audience that they hated shopping for swimsuits, both because of the lack of options and how vulnerable it can feel to show so much skin in public.”
Gregg says that partnering with ELOQUII was an easy choice, and shares that the process of creating the collection was the marriage of two brands that have a clear vision of who they are and what they want to create. “We both care deeply about the plus-size customer and changing the narrative around size and style. I think you can definitely see both of our aesthetics in the final pieces,” says Gregg.
Gabi Gregg in a one-piece from the Opulent Oasis collection
With a decade of experience designing swimwear under her belt, Gregg marries her longtime passion for the swim category with her investment in the plus-size customer. “My goal with this collection was to give the community unique, fashion-forward options that they feel confident wearing. I’m encouraged by how much the plus-size swim market has grown, but we have a long way to go and I’m super grateful that I get to continue to make an impact in the space with this launch,” says Gregg.
The first collection, released earlier this month, features a bold color palette and graphic prints inspired by Gregg’s love of tropical destinations and nature. The second collection, called Opulent Oasis, is inspired by architectural fluidity and a renewed desire to dress up following COVID-era lockdown. It features 14 styes including three bikinis, three one-pieces, and five cover-ups. “Coverups have been something I’ve always wanted to design more of because they’re such a big part of my personal style and wardrobe,” says Gregg. Opulent Oasis was designed with minimalism in mind. It features neutral colors like black, cream, brown and metallic. Both collections began with Gregg creating thematic moodboards, and have been a year in the making.
Yesenia Torres, Creative Director at ELOQUII, calls Gregg a trailblazer. “We’ve long admired Gabi and her work in bringing inclusivity to the forefront.” Torres points out that when it comes to swim, fit is the number one barrier for the plus-size customer as a point of purchase. To address that, the collections offer various silhouettes and styles in hopes of accommodating everyone. Additionally, the bikinis and one-pieces are crafted with an ultra stretchy blend of nylon and spandex fabric. Torres says that the collection’s success has come through ELOQUII’s in-house fit expertise alongside Gregg’s “unique aesthetic.”
Gabi Gregg collaborated with ELOQUII to create two plus-size swimwear collections
Coco Limberakis, Director of Integrated Marketing and Social Media at ELOQUII, points out that this collaboration comes on the back of disappointment surrounding New York Fashion Week. “We are so proud to partner with Gabi on this collaboration, especially considering body diversity during fashion week was the lowest it has been in years with only .6% of models on the runway being a size 14 or above,” said Limberakis.
Taylor Long, the Founder and CEO of Nomads Swimwear, shares that since starting Nomads, more fast fashion brands have entered the plus-size swimwear space making it tougher for sustainable, small-batch swim brands like hers to survive. “I want to see more sustainable, fashion-driven plus-size swim and resort wear that can be worn from the beach to dinner and beyond.” Of lessons learned in the swimwear space, Long says, “There's still a customer who wants a more modest fit while others want to bare it all. Everyone is in different stages of their body love journeys, so we've started making a range of both to appease customers on both ends of the spectrum.”
Gregg says she’s encouraged by how much the plus-size swim market has grown since she began her blog more than 15 years ago, and hopes that this collection will help plus-size customers channel their “main character moment.” With the current news cycle poised against body diversity, collaborations like these don’t just serve to commemorate a decade of incredible plus-size swim style. They make a statement that, yes, plus-size people will still be baring skin this summer.
