As a coastal born and bred Aussie, I was of course eager to sit down with Sophie Robinson, founder and designer of new London swimwear label Pearly Queen London. Missing the sand in-between my toes, the salt on my skin and the ocean breeze in my hair, I was keen to come into contact with anything remotely familiar to my pre-London lifestyle. A London-based swimwear label promising to stand true to it’s British heritage was the perfect concoction of the two things that pull at my heartstrings - the ocean and the big city I now call home.

I first met Sophie Robinson over a year ago when she impressed me with her various accolades across London’s fashion scene, and meeting up with her again recently to discuss the launch of her debut swim collection was no different.

With a string of experience at a variety of weights in the industry from high end to high street, Sophie had an idea of the work that went into creating your own brand, but admits that nothing could prepare you for opening your own business. With support from family and friends, Sophie embarked on an idea that has been niggling at the back of her mind for a couple of years.

Sophie took note of her friends' constant whines that they couldn’t find the right swimsuit for their party vacays across the globe and stored these ideas in her brain bank until the backbone for Pearly Queen London was born. Aware of the fact that the majority of swim brands come from the US and Australia, Sophie wanted to introduce something that was based in London and built on the London girl who parties here but also spends her time in the lavish pools and shores of Vegas, Miami and Ibiza. Staying true to her promise to maintain British heritage, Pearly Queen London garments are being made in Nottingham. Having grown up in the UK, Sophie is adamant the brand will stay here.

Learning from coworkers she has met along her way, Sophie keeps a piece of advice from a past River Island Creative Director at the front of her mind at all times - “the only thing you ever need to remember is the customer and what they want, and you can build your whole business around that.” This is completely the truth and in a day and age where options are endless for the everyday consumer, it is one that is important to keep in mind. The sole focus needs to be staying true to your core customer and not trying to change too much, and when spending your hard earned dollars, it’s nice to be able to invest in a brand whose values and purported lifestyle you want to be a part of.

The Pearly Queen London girl is youthful, on trend and confident. She isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd and certainly doesn’t mind a bit of attention. A PQL girl parties and travels often to coastal and fun locations. Look, and you shall realise… this girl is not hard to find in London.

Looking deeper into the style of the brand, Sophie has selected to use a jersey bubble knit fabric that is completely unique and hasn’t been seen on the fashion circuit for decades.

After doing her research, Sophie discovered that there really was nothing like it around at the moment - all the more reason to bring it back on the market. Sophie tells me that “women either look at it as ‘oh my gosh’ I used to have this, or younger women who’ve never seen it before are really intrigued.” It’s either nostalgia pulling people toward the pieces or the newness of it all and the urge to be the first to have something.

Sophie plans for PQL to always have a main collection providing staples but to also maintain newness. This girl is switched on and knows how it is out there in the wilderness that is the jungle of the fashion industry. The world is so tuned in all the time now, we instantly see runway shows and want the latest thing, resulting in huge competition. In keeping with this, Sophie is planning to always provide different colour ways and limited edition collections. She admits “the options are endless, it’s just the cash flow that is not!” In the future, Sophie is eager to work with an artist or illustrator to develop a special limited edition range, something that Gather.ly would be very excited to be a part of.

Accepting the challenge that building a swimwear brand in London is bound to have its difficulties, Sophie is positive that any downfalls will be rewarded with the ample opportunities that come on the flipside of being a London brand. Already receiving a vote of confidence from the US market, Sophie seems to have nailed the fine line between creating a sexy line of swimwear without the often associated trash-factor. Her line instead boasts clean and classic lines, fun colours and flattering cuts with just the right amount of skin exposure.

With the Celsius dropping in the city, Londoners are catching the last of the European sunshine and gearing up for closing parties, make sure you’re in the latest ‘it’ swimwear.

You can check out and purchase Pearly Queen London here and make sure to follow the Pearly Queen London girl on Instagram.