Why Pau Roman Is The Sustainable Swimwear Brand You Need To Try Now

In this article, I interview the founder of Mexico based sustainable swimwear brand, Pau Roman. We talk about her creation and inspiration, as well as where to buy her fabulous collections.

It’s 2021- which means sustainable, ethical, eco-friendly brands are the newest move and I am here for it. Unlike previous trends, the sustainable fashion movement is here to stay, as its entire ethos suggests. While many items are easy to replace with cute, eco friendly alternatives, finding great, sustainable swimwear brands can seem difficult.

Fashionable, designer swimwear has been all the rage in the last decade. Is it possible to find truly fashionable, designer quality swimwear at an affordable price, that’s also eco-friendly? Erm, is that too good to be true? Nope! It’s not.

Meet Pau Roman. The women led, affordable, sustainable swimwear brand and the answer to any young woman’s dreams. With incredibly stylish yet evergreen pieces; these small batch, artisan swimwear collections are so beautiful- you’ll want to buy every piece.

Pau Roman is based in Mexico’s dreamy, eco-conscious Yucatan peninsula. Which means it’s extremely easy to buy online for those based in North America, Europe, Central and South America. If you’re lucky enough to live in Merida, or nearby, you can visit the Pau Roman showroom.

I made a beeline for Pau Roman when I got to Merida, and I left with everything. I was so impressed with the quality, design and the fact that it’s a truly sustainable swimwear brand. From the custom made tote they wrapped my items in, to the complimentary, locally made natural soap they threw in; to the private, covid safe shopping appointment, to the local delivery option- they blew me away.

I was so excited to learn more about this wonderful sustainable swimwear brand, that I had to sit down with the owner, Paulina Román. Below we discuss Pau Roman’s awesome creation and inspiration.

How Did You Create Pau Roman?

“Pau Román started back in 2014, with a small production of bathings suits in our workshop in Mérida. When I finished my studies at CEDIM, in Monterrey, I became aware that living and working in Merida was a great opportunity for my business; mostly a significant inspiration. Soon, the brand grew and I realized the importance of introducing high-quality textiles.”

What Types of Materials Do You Use to Create Eco-Friendly Swimwear?

“The first collection in which we introduced recycled polyamide was Nicte Há, back in 2017. Since then, 50% of the textiles we use are recycled or have a natural composition. To mention a few, we use italian ECONYL® regenerated nylon, linen, cotton and silk. We create limited edition pieces, in order to design unique collections that reduce our carbon footprint.“

Why Is It Important to Create a Sustainable Swimwear Brand? What Does That Mean to You?

“I think calling a brand sustainable is very complex. It has to do with the materials that we use, the relationships between people, both inside and outside the workshop, and the product that we offer to the public. These three elements have to be in sync in order for the business to be socially and environmentally responsible. This union is what fuels my brand.

I think reaching for a sustainable brand is important, not just for me, but also the people that work with me- we want to leave something that endures the passage of time. Something that represents our culture without it harming the environment, and that represents what we are as people.”

How Do You Come Up With the Ideas for Your Designs and Collections?

“Releasing new designs and collections is not easy. We have to keep these important (sustainable) aspects in mind, while also trying to grasp a concept that represents us and our way of living. The process and timeframe varies, but we usually have two collections each year.

As far as the creative process, we select neutral color palettes, balanced silhouettes and versatile pieces. We take natural elements and integrate them into the garments. Most of all, we take inspiration in nature, the Mexican culture and all we see around us. This inspiration is the added value, that I believe goes beyond the physical piece. It becomes an experience, a memory, a trip- a bond with people. This is what gives the designs our identity.”

What Types of Designers Do You Collaborate With to Create Your Collections?

“The designers we collaborate with, they have the same values as we do: passion, honesty and teamwork. We have come across very creative designers that are true to what they love; that have special ways to abstract beauty.

The collaborations are always different, in some occasions it involves manual craftsmanship on the garments and others digital interventions. To name a few we have worked with: Daniela Bustos Maya, Cristal Santiesteban, Monica Loya, Mariel Flores, Talía Castellanos.”

How Has Pau Roman Evolved?

“Nowadays, my brand has evolved in a natural way. The efforts that my team and I have made seem to have paid off. Not only because the brand has grown even more. But also because we have stronger and more meaningful relationships with our clients. They value our principles. So it’s easier for them to understand where we come from and where we want to go.”

What Are Your Plans For the Future of Sustainable Swimwear?

“Our vision is to be totally transparent with our processes and materials, so people can relate to our cause; which is to design and create with a low impact on our natural resources. It is a long and changing process, but we want to continue investing in materials that are durable and sustainable.

In the future, we want to become more environmentally conscious and pass it on to other people through our brand. I think it is our responsibility to design in a more effective way, using things that don’t harm the planet. We want to keep building lasting bonds with people, providing equal treatment to all and contributing to more social causes.”

If you’re local to Merida, or near the Yucatan, you can schedule an appointment on instagram to shop at their showroom. For everyone else, browse their lookbook online to purchase from around the world.