Merewether teenager Scarlett Cowie launches beach-inspired Sunchaser clothing and jewellery label

It's gone well enough that last week she launched her Day Dreamer swimwear range, featuring Repreve, a high-quality sustainable product.

Cowie, now 14 years old, says her vision of designing swimwear was sparked by her deep connection and love for the ocean and surfing.

"This collection is designed for ultimate comfort and to make you feel good inside and out about what you're wearing," Cowie says.

"It's created with buttery soft fabric derived from discarded plastics and ghost fishing nets found in the ocean."

She says her vision for a swimwear collection was sparked in August 2021 when she saw a real gap in the market.

Cowie designed the print and created and chose the cuts, styles, accessories, and fabric for the swimmers.

"This collection was made with surfing in mind," she says.

"Previously I've struggled to find swimwear that will actually stay on when I'm surfing.

"I spent countless hours searching for the right manufacturer that was the right fit for us and our values. It was a real struggle to find a manufacturer that was both sustainable and produced high-quality products up to our standards.

"I knew through this collection I wanted to do something to give back to the earth and this was how I could do that. I trialled the fabric by getting samples of my design ideas for the fabric and fell in love with it when I first touched it."

The swimwear collection is sourced in Bali, Indonesia.

"Our makers are treated fairly and sustainably," Cowie says.

"For example, they are paid three times more than the average wage, they get paid 13 months salary a year, they get free medical insurance for themselves, a spouse and their children - and that's just a few of the things that make our manufacture sustainable."

Sunchaser Clothing only sells online through its website, attracting purchasers worldwide.

"We would love to get some retailers to stock our swimwear in the very near future," Cowie says.

She has organised her business and her website, sourced the clothing and jewellery range herself, and organised the swimwear range herself. It's only the beginning, Cowie says.

"My ultimate goal is to grow a successful surf brand and provide high-quality products that are sustainably made and sourced," she says.

"I want to give buyers peace of mind by providing them eco-conscious fashion that is helping our environment. We are also looking to expand our range into other sustainable clothing and surfwear in the near future."

sunchaserclothing.com | @sunchaserclothing

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