Sally Layton With a glimmer of spring finally in the air, I’m briefly turning my attention from lingerie to swimwear to introduce you to La Libellule (meaning The Dragonfly in English), an independent French brand that Ellen discovered at the recent Salon International de la Lingerie.
Architect Marthe Botros was inspired to create the brand after giving birth to her first child; desiring a different swimsuit style to what she’d worn before, she couldn’t find anything that was well-made, cut to flatter her figure, and beautifully feminine in aesthetic too. So, she began sketching out the designs that she was dreaming of, initially just as a creative outlet. Her husband eventually encouraged her to find a way to make these ideas a reality, and after two years of research and development, her label La Libellule was born as well.
The fresh, youthful-feeling collection is a mix of one-piece swimsuits and bandeau-topped, high waist-bottomed bikinis, all in solid colors. From cut-out sides to plunging necklines and cheeky leglines, the designs all flash plenty of skin while still offering sought-after tummy coverage.
As for the femininity that Botros was in search of, bows make a recurrent appearance, whether they’re sleek rectangular ones or oversized shapes that extend beyond the sides of the chest. Other La Libellule design details include knots, twists, ruffles and 3D flowers, as well as the luxe gold dragonfly plaque that’s adorns every look in the collection.
Just like the dragonfly’s perfect equilibrium that Botros so admires, La Libellule is also about balance: timelessness balanced with trendiness, showing some skin without feeling too exposed, and enjoying the perfect mix of style and comfort. All pieces are made from premium Italian fabrics and with minimal seaming, to create a silky, second-skin kind of feeling.
These fabrics, which offer UPF50+ sun protection, and also OEKO-TEX certified and made from a mix of elastane and recycled polyamide. Manufacturing happens in Portugal, and each purchase arrives with a waterproof storage pouch that’s made from material surplus to the fashion industry and by a company in Thailand that supports the personal development of marginalized women.
