Retro begins with Melissa Odabash’s enduring love of 1970s style. A hero print from the Cruise collection, the bespoke design borrows the warmth, confidence and freedom of the decade, translated into swimwear and beachwear for now. Rich, sun-soaked colour gives it presence, while clean silhouettes and considered hardware keep the mood unmistakably Odabash.
The new Byron Bikini is a natural place to start, with its bandeau shape and open-ring detailing leaving plenty of room for the print. The Venice Bikini brings signature ring detailing, while the Surfside Swimsuit takes Retro into a one-piece. Across each, print, proportion and hardware have been considered together rather than one added to the other.
Beyond the water, the Ariel Shirt and Annie Shorts make an easy co-ord for lunch or an afternoon away from the beach. For something longer, the Electra Dress slips beautifully over the Byron Bikini, taking the same print from a morning by the water into the rest of the day with very little thought required.
Melissa has spent more than two decades designing for women who travel, refining an instinct for colour, fit and the pieces that deserve space in a suitcase. Retro feels personal to that history. Its 1970s influence is unmistakable, but the execution belongs entirely to Melissa Odabash: beautifully cut swimwear, effortless beachwear and a bespoke print designed to be remembered.