If you’re in the market for a swimwear refresh this summer, allow Australian model Jessica Gomes to inspire you with the trend you’re about to see everywhere—and she’s arranged that entirely herself.
Yes, in a world where forgotten staples of the early 00s merged with freeform silhouettes of the 70s are rife, we can also officially welcome 80s neon back into our wardrobes.
Gomes, who has been an icon of Australia’s model set for over a decade, has seen to the neon resurgence herself after collaborating with beloved Australian swimwear brand Bond-Eye. For the one-off project, Gomes created a capsule collection of beach-wear that exudes her personal aesthetic, but with the brand’s signature one-size silhouettes.
Speaking to marie claire ahead of the collection’s launch on September 1, Gomes said the project marked a special “full circle moment” in her career, especially because the campaign shoot was led by photographer Pierre Toussaint, whom Jess worked with in her earliest days of modelling.
“He actually did my first test shots, it was like this moment of coming together, and I obviously just love the brand and everything that they represent—it’s very iconically Australian and it was just super fun to get creative and do something different,” she explained.
In the eight-piece collection (which you can view here), Gomes brought together visuals of 80s street style combined with a mood board of everything that embodies the Australian summer. The result? Bright pink and green neon tie-dye style prints in Bond-Eye’s signature tubular crinkle fabric.
“I really loved the idea of the 80s and we spoke about about all of my favourite iconic images from that time, especially growing up,” Gomes told us.
“I was looking at Sports Illustrated, and because I myself modelled for [the magazine] for eight years I just really loved those Elle Macpherson 80s shots, and I really loved that kind of sporty, strong style that embodies the strength of women.”
Having lived across both Los Angeles while frequently flying back home and spending time in some of Australia’s most beloved beaches (including Byron Bay) throughout her busiest modelling years, Gomes explained her new collaborative swimwear collection was truly a reflection of that time.
Per the brand’s sustainable nylon fibres, each piece in Jess’s collection comes in a unique one-size which fits an Australian size 6 through to a 14—the comfortable stretchy fabric moulds to the wearer.
Gomes’ collection contains a mix of one and two-piece styles featuring flattering scoop necklines and high cut legs—very much inspired by the swimwear trends of the 80s.
And for the summer ahead, Gomes is keen to see “happy bright colours” because, as she rightly puts it, we all need a little brightness right now.
18 months into a pandemic with sporadic lockdowns in between, the summer of 2021 and 2022 has never looked more inviting.
“I just hope [this summer] will bring everyone together with loved ones on the beach in their bright colours with those happy healing vibes. I can’t wait to have that quintessential Australian summer.”
As for what she’ll be wearing in the interim? Well, like all of us, Gomes keeps it real with a humble pair of track pants.
“I’m always in track suits now. Like, this morning I went to go to my walk and I just couldn’t put my leggings on. I was like, I’m just gonna put my trackies. That’s what I wear now,” she laughed.
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