BFYNE – Changing the way we see swimwear
Before the last rays of summer disappear over the horizon, we wanted to show you a stunning swimwear brand that we love: BFYNE by Buki Ade. If you are a bonafide beach babe, you may already be enamored with these gorgeous, colorful, African-inspired swimsuits, but if not, strap in for a visual thrill—and then strap yourself into one of their gorgeous bikinis or flattering one-piece swimsuits.
An Instagram favorite (with 460000+ followers and counting!), BFYNE’s designs completely and quite literally break the mold of what a swimsuit can be, making for magnificently striking photographs. Not only do these designs photograph well, but they promise to make you look and feel your best. This goal—to make women of all shapes and sizes look and feel sexy—is stitched into the brand’s ethos and designs; hence, the apt brand name: ‘be fine’.
BFYNE was founded by Nigerian-American designer and entrepreneur, Buki Ade. Ade’s goal was simple: to challenge and change the fashion industry, and swimwear in particular, through her culturally inclusive designs. The result? A brand that features exquisite West African patterns, vibrant colors that compliment darker skin tones, and shapes and lines that flatter a variety of body shapes and sizes.
Ade did not necessarily grow up wanting to be a designer, but she describes her style as always having been distinctive, she never being one that wanted to play it safe or blend into the crowd. She created BFYNE after looking for a unique swimsuit for a summer trip, and finding the international fashion market to be woefully lacking in representation of African designers, creativity, and a focus on diverse figures. Today, the brand’s ‘Unleash your inner Fynebabe’ motto has been embraced by women the world offer, and BFYNE’s swimsuits have featured in Vogue, Glamour, and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
BFYNE may be described as an ‘unapologetic tribute to women’s curves and confidence’, with their swimsuits running to size XL, showcasing lines and features that enhance and flatter the curvier figure. Their bright solid-color pieces, such as their indigo blue one piece, are also particularly flattering on darker skin tones, while the bold prints and patterns compliment lighter and darker skin tones. An all-inclusive brand, their suits also run to size XS, with suits featuring strategically-placed seams and details that create an alluring shape. The brand also prides itself on quality; the more intricate designs may not look robust, but they are extremely well-stitched, with all designs being put through rigorous screening and testing processes.
Here are a few of our favorite pieces:
The geometric design on the Yari one piece creates an optical illusion of a slimmer waist, with the inward-sloping stripes and center piece drawing the viewer’s eye inward. The high cut of the bottom of the swimsuit also creates the illusion of longer legs, making for a highly flattering swimsuit overall.
The Riya one piece’s design creates a similar effect; with the added benefit of the traditional print hiding any lumps and bumps you may want to (but do not need to!) hide.
If a bikini is more your style, we love the intricately designed, brightly-colored and summery Henna set.
Last but certainly not least in our round-up: the Tai set. If you are not quite bold enough for bright colors, or simply prefer a monochromatic look, but still want a bold and unique design, we think the Tai set might be the one for you.
You can browse all of BFYNE’s gorgeous swimsuits here. Which is your favorite?
by Illona Meyer
Africa Global News Publication
