Emily Watson: Subversive Swimwear with a Demi-Couture Edge
Origins
Founded in 2020 by Australian designer Emily Watson, the brand quickly carved a niche for itself within Melbourne’s contemporary fashion scene. After graduating from RMIT University, Watson established her namesake label in a Brunswick-based studio, channeling a love of sculptural form and playful nostalgia into a line that blurs the line between swimwear and artwear.
Ownership
Emily Watson remains the sole owner and creative director of the brand. Her hands-on approach informs every aspect of the label, from conceptual design to final production, ensuring each collection remains deeply personal and meticulously constructed.
Aesthetic
The Emily Watson aesthetic fuses a Y2K-adjacent playfulness with experimental silhouettes and hyper-feminine textures. The brand is known for its vivid color palette, ruffled and ruched detailing, and transformative pieces that shift easily from swim to street. With a focus on unexpected layering and offbeat proportions, each design pushes the boundaries of what swimwear can be—flirtatious, subversive, and thoroughly individual.
Signature Pieces
- Tankini Skirt – A hybrid garment that combines nostalgic swim shapes with sculptural flair.
- Soirée Ruffle Top – A maximalist statement top with oversized frills and tie closures.
- Velour Split Trousers – Semi-sheer resort trousers with flared hems and rich texture.
- Bikini Bolero – A lightweight, long-sleeve swimwear accessory with dramatic cutouts.
- Ruffle Capri Board Shorts – A directional take on retro board shorts, made ultra-feminine.
Legacy
As a new-generation designer, Emily Watson has brought a fresh perspective to the fashion-swimwear crossover space. Her work plays an important role in redefining what “resortwear” means in the post-pandemic era—elevating it with structure, irony, and the kind of artistic complexity more often seen in runway collections than on the beach.
Famous Fans
- Gabriette
- Devon Lee Carlson
- Ella Snyder
The Future
With global stockists in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Shanghai, Emily Watson is steadily building a cult following. Future plans include expanded ready-to-wear capsules, more textural experimentation, and continued collaborations with stylists and boutique curators who share the brand’s taste for the offbeat and beautifully odd.
