Melissa Odabash

For luxury swimwear, Melissa Odabash sits at the top of many shoppers' lists. Vogue famously called the label the "Ferraris of swimwear," and pieces are valued for shape-retaining fabric, flattering cuts and longevity across seasons. If you want a suit that holds up and looks polished beyond a single summer, it is widely considered worth the investment.

Melissa Odabash is an American fashion designer and former model based in London, best known for her swimwear. She grew up in New Jersey, and her paternal grandfather was of Turkish origin and came to the United States at a young age. She began her career modeling in Italy before launching her own line.

While living and working as a model in Italy, Melissa Odabash started creating her own swimwear by hand, selling pieces to independent boutiques in Milan. That hands-on start built the global recognition that followed. In 2007 she opened a store in Notting Hill, London, later adding one in Chelsea.

The brand is best known for luxury swimwear, beachwear and ready-to-wear, distributed in over 48 countries and stocked in more than 250 department stores. Vogue's "Ferraris of swimwear" tag captures its reputation for premium quality. Swim remains the heart of what made the label famous.

Melissa Odabash designs have been worn by a long list of style icons, including Beyoncé, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Rihanna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and the Princess of Wales. That roster has helped cement the brand's standing in luxury swimwear. It is part of why the label is so visible on holiday and resort circuits.

Many shoppers find the swimwear runs slightly small, so checking the brand's size guide before ordering is wise, while the beachwear is cut for a looser, more relaxed feel. Coverage varies by style, with some lower-cut bottoms fitting more snugly and higher-waisted ones designed more generously. When sized correctly, the cuts are widely praised as flattering.

Yes. In 2004 she collaborated with Speedo on a collection of one-off pieces to mark their 75th anniversary, and she has also worked with Gwyneth Paltrow. In 2012 she created a line of unisex hats to raise money and awareness for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. These collaborations show the brand's reach beyond its core swim line.

She has. In 2014 she won the Designer of the Year award at the Salon International de la Lingerie and was named one of the 50 Most Influential People of London, followed by Retailer of the Year in 2015. In June 2021 she was appointed an honorary MBE for services to international swimwear fashion, with her presentation at Buckingham Palace in November 2022.

The brand is based in London, where its founder is established, and its swim, beach and ready-to-wear collections are distributed in over 48 countries and retailed in more than 250 department stores. So while it has a strong London identity, it is broadly available internationally. Its own boutiques in Notting Hill and Chelsea anchor the brand at home.

Because the label spans swim, beachwear and ready-to-wear, it is built for the full holiday wardrobe rather than just a single suit. Its reputation for quality fabrics and flattering, season-spanning cuts makes pieces easy to wear from pool to dinner. For travelers who want a coordinated, polished resort look, that breadth is a real draw.