When you’re a mother, selecting your swimwear is as important as your sneakers. First up, it needs to look chic. Secondly, you need it to be functional. Enter Marysia Swim: one of fashion’s most coveted swimwear brands, which also has offerings for kids and the mother-to-be. “I strive to do something different and driven by fashion,” says Marysia Reeves, the Polish-born LA based designer behind Marysia Swim. It’s an approach that’s working: you’ve probably spotted her iconic scalloped edge swimwear on the Instagram accounts of high-profile fashion bloggers and celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba. A water-loving surfing enthusiast from a young age, Reeves grew up wearing bikinis and wetsuits. It was after attending L.A.’s Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising that she launched Marysia Swim. A mother of two girls, Reeves finds striving for balance challenging at times. “It’s such a struggle for me, I want to be in both places at once,” she says. We caught up with Reeves to talk style, swimsuits and why there’s nothing greater than a mother’s love…
“ My daughter Elle inspired my children's collection. I wanted her to have a nice swimsuit to wear. ”
What has motherhood taught you so far?
Patience – I’m still working on it.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t have kids so young.
What qualities do you love most in people and what qualities do you want your children to value?
Honesty and kindness. I would like the same for my girls.
What’s your daily beauty routine consist of?
In the morning I wash my face with cold water then apply Kahina Prickly Pear Eye Oil and Rose Oil to the rest of my face. I let it soak in a little before doing my makeup. At night I wash off my makeup with an exfoliating face wash then wipe excess with an RMS Coconut Wipe and apply either oils or a few times a week I use Good Genes Treatment, the same Eye Oil and a then drink a herbal tea.
What’s your fitness routine like?
I’m back at it again after a bit of a lazy summer of travelling and over indulging in food and rosé. At my best, I do yoga three times a week and I train with my trainer twice a week. We do everything from sprinting intervals to boxing and lots of circuit routines.
“ I strive to do something different and driven by fashion ”
Did you enjoy being pregnant?
I had two very different pregnancies. One amazing and one not so much. The best was with my first. Whatever hormones got in my body I was on cloud 9! The worst was feeling sick with my second while in NYC. The smells drove me crazy!
Can you tell us about the maternity swimsuit you launched with Hatch?
There were a few pieces from some of my collections that translated so well into pregnancy, so I emailed Hatch and we created Hatch x Marysia.
What is your daily uniform?
With all the time managing problems I’m not too proud of this, but I’m mostly in workout gear, but when I can’t stand it anymore I’ll wear jeans and a T-shirt (so LA!).
What are your summer fashion essentials?
Other then Marysia swim, I love to splurge on great sunglasses and sandals.
So far what’s the hardest and best part of being a mum?
Always worrying about them. When my little one got really sick it changed me – the stress changed me in a real way. The best part is the love! The love you get and the love you give. It’s unlike anything else.
What’s your favourite part of the day?
Morning with the little one. She’s a happy girl from the moment she opens her eyes! And evening with my older daughter when we say our prayers in Polish together and snuggle.
Can you list your 10 favourite things right now?
Warm water with lemon in the AM. Yoga at YAS in venice beach (Myrna’s class). RMS new coconut wipes to take off my makeup (did you know that coconut has a natural sunscreen 5-15). I am Malala by the youngest peace Nobel prize winner. Bonpoint’s shampoo and lotion for my girls – I love the smell. Herbivore’s coconut bath soak. Burn Notice, a TV show with my friend Gabriele Anwar as the female lead… it’s so good! Taking my older daughter to swim team and swimming with my little one as we wait. Weekends in palm spring’s Ace Hotel. Almond yogurt from Kreation.
Words: Annabelle Dickson Holding shot Jessie Webster for Lonny Magazine