B.C. swimwear brand redefines Olympic style

Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes have already etched their names in Canadian women's beach volleyball history at the Paris Olympics and so havetheir outfits.

The duo became the first Canadians to win thesilver medal in beach volleyball on Friday. And the first Olympic team to hit the sands in a one-shoulder bikini top.

Designed by Vancouver-based swimwear brand Left On Friday, the unique swimsuit had to be approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), says Shannon Savage, one of the brand's co-founders.

"Because that had never happened in the sport before," Savage told CBC News of the one-shoulder creation.

"And so as we were coming up with the concept, we submitted the designs to say, 'Is this OK?'"

WATCH | Vancouver company unveils Team Canada's beach volleyball Olympic uniform design:

Vancouver company unveils Team Canadas beach volleyball Olympic uniform design

4 months ago

Duration 4:41

Left On Friday, a Vancouver-based company, designed the beach volleyball bikini uniforms for this summers Olympics. Co-founders Shannon Savage and Laura Low Ah Kee say they have been working with Team Canada for three years and the athletes had input on the final design.

She says the final product was based on input from the two athletes.

"It was actually inspired by Brandie and Melissa, who were already wearing some of our products," she said. "Melissa, when she was hitting with her right arm, she was explaining just how free she felt and was just so unrestricted in her serve."

Combining "fashion and function" is the brand's mantra, says Laura Low Ah Kee, who started the company with Savage in 2018.

"They're the best in class athletes, but they also care about how they look," Low Ah Keesaid. "It was really important to us that we made them feel the best from a comfort standpointbut also from a fashion standpoint."

In 2022, Left on Friday signed a three-year deal to be the official sponsor of Canada's national women's beach volleyball team. Since then, the brand has worked with Canadian athletes to make custom, tailor-made designs.

Finding a niche and filling it

Both co-founders are former Lululemon executives and built a relationship while working at the Canadian athletic apparel retailer.

"I think we were both at Lululemon for over 10 years and had phenomenal careers there," said Low Ah Kee.

She said they decided to establish a premium active swimwear company after leaving the clothing giant.

After noticing a gap in the market for active swimwear that's both stylish and functional, they said they decided to create their own premium brand.

"Nobody was creating beautiful bathing suits that you could be active in and hang out in, and nobody was applying the knowledge of fabric and fit," Low Ah Kee said. " So we saw this product opportunity, and we knew how to fill it."

Low Ah Kee and Savage, who have been in Parischeering on the Canadian pair, say their product's global exposure has been immensely beneficial.

The brand's designs have been making waves in Paris, earning praise fromVogue and the BBC for their "flattering-yet-functional" beachwear.

"This is a moment that you could not create. It's just mind-blowing," Savage said.

"We're so proud of ourselves and so proud of all the athletes competing," said Low Ah Kee.