Why I Designed the Sulawesi - A Long Sleeve One Piece That Finally Stayed On

I didn’t set out to create a swimwear brand.
I set out to fix a problem - one I knew I wasn’t alone in facing.

Years ago, when I was learning to surf out at Kuta Reef, I had one of those days. You know the kind - when everything is happening at once. The reef felt sharp and closer than it should, the sets rolled in faster than I could read them, and I was still learning how to duck dive without panic. But the real challenge wasn’t the waves.

It was my bikini.

Somewhere between wiping out and trying to paddle back to the boat with my dignity intact, I realised my bottoms were halfway to Nusa Dua. The fear of having to return to shore completely bare bummed had me paddling harder than I ever had before.

And in that moment- salty, embarrassed, and wedged between laughter and frustration- I knew I needed something better. Something I couldn’t find anywhere.

A swimsuit that stayed on.

Not just something cute for lounging poolside. I needed a suit that could move with me, hold up to wipeouts, protect my skin from the blazing sun, and still feel beautiful when I got out of the water.

I searched. And searched. And nothing felt right. Everything was either too flimsy, too flashy, or just… not made for women who actually use their swimsuits.

So I started sketching.

The Sulawesi: Born in Bali, Built for the Sea

The first style I created was the Sulawesi Long Sleeve Swimsuit, named for one of the many stunning islands in Indonesia that has given me so much inspiration.

I built it with three non-negotiables:

1. It had to hold up in real waves

That meant high-performance, double-lined Italian fabric. A sturdy YKK zip that wouldn’t rust or jam. And a cut designed for movement - whether you're duck diving, body surfing, or wrangling fins in the shore break.

2. It had to flatter the female form

I didn’t want to feel like I was wearing a wetsuit. I wanted to feel strong and feminine. So I added panelled shaping, a cinched waist, and just the right amount of coverage to feel secure without feeling bulky.

3. It had to be kind to the planet

Because loving the ocean means protecting it. We chose regenerated ECONYL® nylon, low-waste manufacturing, and packaging that doesn’t end up in the sea. Every suit is ethically made with care.

The result? A suit I wish I had that day at Kuta Reef.
And to my surprise, I wasn’t the only one who needed it.

Creating for Women Who Move with Purpose

Since launching Ocean Soul Swimwear, I’ve received messages from women all over the world. Surfers. Freedivers. Paddlers. Mums chasing their kids through waves. Women who love the ocean deeply, but struggled to find a suit that matched their lifestyle.

They tell me this is the first time they’ve felt seen. That the suit fits like it was made for their body - not a runway model’s. That it gives them confidence in and out of the water. That they no longer have to choose between function and beauty.

And every time I read one of those notes, I go back to that girl paddling in from Kuta Reef - embarrassed, sunburnt, determined - and I smile.

Because she had a vision.
Not to start a fashion brand.
But to build something useful.
Something real.

The Ocean Still Leads the Way

To this day, I still test every design myself. I surf in it. I swim in it. I tumble in the shore break and do awkward wetsuit changes on the beach. Our suits are built from experience, not trends.

I think that’s what makes Ocean Soul different. We don’t design for a photoshoot.
We design for women who live in saltwater.
Who rise early, stay out late, and move through the world with strength and softness.

The Sulawesi at a glance

Where it all began

Long Sleeve Swimsuit: Sulawesi Nautical

The original Sulawesi in Nautical navy and white. UPF 50+ and made to stay on.

$230 AUDShop the Sulawesi →

Choosing your Sulawesi

The Sulawesi now comes in several colours, each with the same secure, sculpting fit. Nautical is the original navy and white, with contrast panels that define the waist. Midnight is all black for the strongest, sleekest look and long days in the sun. Snow is fresh and bright for tropical water, and Celestial Blue is a softer colour that looks beautiful against the sea. Read more about the latest version in Introducing the Sulawesi Midnight.

A swimsuit that stays on is not a luxury. It is the reason you can forget about it and enjoy the wave.

The all-black Sulawesi

Long Sleeve Swimsuit: Sulawesi Midnight

The Sulawesi in Midnight, for maximum sun protection and a sleek silhouette.

$230 AUDShop the Sulawesi →

Making your Sulawesi last

Rinse it in cool fresh water after every surf or swim, hand wash gently, never wring it out and dry it flat in the shade. Rotate it with a second swimsuit if you are in the water every day. Looked after this way, it will keep its shape and colour for season after season of salt and sun.

Questions we get asked

Why is it called the Sulawesi?

It is named after Sulawesi, one of the many Indonesian islands that have inspired Ocean Soul.

Does the Sulawesi stay on when surfing?

Yes. It was designed specifically to stay put through duck dives, wipeouts and body surfing, with long sleeves that anchor the suit at the shoulders.

Is the Sulawesi sustainable?

It is made from regenerated ECONYL® nylon, which comes from nylon waste such as fishing nets and fabric scraps.

Does the Sulawesi have sun protection?

Yes. The fabric is UPF 50+, so it protects your shoulders, back and arms from the sun.

A Thank You, from My Heart

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve bought a suit, shared a kind word, or simply related to this story - you’re the reason Ocean Soul Swimwear exists.

I made this for women like us.
Women who want to feel supported - not just by their swimwear, but by a brand that sees them.

Here’s to creating pieces that move with you, wave after wave.
Here’s to surf suits that never let you down (even at Kuta Reef).
And here’s to choosing gear that feels as good as the ocean does.

Take a look at our collection here - designed for water women worldwide.