The rise of AJ Swimsuits: sustainable, size-inclusive, and stylish swimwear

Apr 25

Written By The Avenue Magazine

By Alexa Grayson

Web Design by Hugh Ferguson

It all began with the sewing machine, gifted from her grandmother, that lived untouched in her closet for 10 years. When Covid hit and life suddenly became unpredictable, first-year Northeastern student Amanda Kerr wanted to do something new – so she broke out the sewing machine which eventually led to AJ Swimsuits.

AJ Swimsuits, based in Portland, Oregon, is a sustainable company making custom and hand-sewn swimsuits owned and operated by Amanda Kerr. The swimsuits are made of deadstock and post-consumer recycled fabrics, and are sold using compostable packaging. The swimsuits come in many patterns, colors, sizes and are reversible. All AJ Swimsuits could be purchased through her website.

Kerr, a first-year business administration and design student, explained that her swimsuit brand was unintentional. She initially began to sew masks to donate to local hospitals once the pandemic hit, but when her dog ate a sock, and she needed to raise money to pay for his surgery, Kerr decided to started to make and sell swimsuits.

‘I [thought] “how can I make money because I was like a junior in high school, not making any money because it's in the middle of a pandemic,”’ Kerr said. “I started looking up how to sew certain things and I really fell in love with making swimsuits.”

Kerr initially began selling the swimsuits to her friends but did an official “soft launch” of her website in March 2021. On her website, customers have the option to customize their own swimsuit where they get to choose their own colors, style, patterns, and size.

“It’s really up to the customers,” Kerr said. “I like seeing what other people create and what other people choose as their combinations.”

Kerr, who has since moved on from her grandmother’s sewing machine to an industrial serger for more efficient production, uses floral patterns and enjoys abstract color blocking. In her new collection, one could expect to find a green floral pattern bathing suit among many other newly developed styles. Much of the patterns from the first AJ Swimsuit launch were designed by a local Portland-based designer named Katie, who Kerr said makes “super chic” patterns. In her upcoming collection, Kerr is designing some patterns herself and working with local Boston and Portland artists.

“I like working with people… they’re all super creative and very artistically talented,” Kerr said. “There’s, I think, four prints that are going to be coming out that are made by local artists.”

In everything she does, from production to packaging, Kerr aims to be as sustainable as possible. She uses deadstock fabric and fabric made from recycled water bottles, plastics, and post-consumer waste. She gets her fabric from Pinecrest fabrics in Portland. She also ensures that no fabric is wasted by using excess scraps to make items such as handbags and dog beds.

Kerr finds inspiration from other bikini and clothing brands. While it is hard work starting your own business, it’s also super fun, she said. For her, it is a learning process and it takes time to get used to managing aspects of a business such as budgeting and time management. Kerr said that after she posted a TikTok in April 2021, highlighting her sustainable brand and its affordable price range, she quickly received around 125 orders. Despite feeling initially overwhelmed with the high volume of orders, Kerr found the production to be fun and rewarding as she gained new repeat customers.

In her experience, Kerr has found networking incredibly helpful – whether that is directly messaging a model on Instagram or joining a Facebook group of fellow designers.

“I had to reach out to models I’ve never done that before. I had to reach out to manufacturers, I’ve never done that before. I have relationships with all those places,” Kerr said. “I have a contact at the manufacturer. I know the people at Joanne’s [a local fabric store].”

For Kerr, a perk of starting her own swimsuit line has been the pure joy of witnessing customers enjoying AJ swimsuits. She recalls a time when she was approached by a Northeastern student who was also a customer of AJ swimsuits.

“It was such a cool experience,” Kerr said. “When I was going through rush here at Northeastern, a girl came up to me and was like I saw you on TikTok and I bought one of your swimsuits.’ It was really fun.”

Kerr says that her personal favorite design is coming up in the new drop in May. She doesn't have a name for it yet, but described it as a halter/bandeau style top.

“I have every color that I own, like it’s really flattering,” Kerr said. “I have high rise Whitney Bottoms on my website… such a fan favorite. That’s my go-to swimsuit. Cheeky, high-rise, high-leg. They are my favorite pair of bottoms I’ve ever owned.”

The new collection of AJ Swimsuits launches in May. Updates on exact drop dates will be revealed on the website and Instagram in coming weeks.