DARE TO BARE! RISTEFSKY MACHEDA
No one knows fun in the sun better than an Aussie. With its white sandy shores and high crashing surf and of course, those deeply tanned, lean-muscled, bleach blonde Adonises splashing around in it the beach lifestyle is synonymous with Australia.
It’s no wonder the top swim designers all hail from down under. Billabong and Aussiebum are some of the best known, but other designers like Ristefsky Macheda are introducing more adult friendly collections this summer. Ristefsky Macheda is also unveiling an exciting new style of brief it dares you to wear.
Why has Australia become the leader of swimwear?
RM: The beach lifestyle is a big part of Aussie culture.
Do you surf?
RM: We spend a lot of time at the beach. After all, it’s market research for us. But we leave the surfing to the professionals. We just want to make them look fashionable.
What new swimwear are you introducing this summer?
Stephen Ristefsky: Our 2009 collection features the St Tropez board short in navy and white stripes and several swim trunks with sports shields featuring the Australian Southern Cross. We’re mixing a European influence with the relaxed Australian lifestyle.
How have companies like Billabong and Aussiebum helped your brand?
RM: They have raised awareness for swimwear designs that come out of Australia. We really do enjoy a wealth of fashion talent down under.
How is Ristefsky Macheda different than Aussiebum?
RM: The major distinction is that we are a European-influenced label that draws upon designer principles, yet incorporates the relaxed Australian lifestyle into our creations. We believe our swimwear strikes a nice balance between provocative and stylish. Ristefsky Macheda is a representation of cosmopolitan Australia. We are what the trendy city men are wearing.
What is your most popular suit?
RM: Our signature cut curved board short is our most popular. It is a typical boardie, styled for surf and water activities, but also meant to look good.
Why have most men resisted the bikini square cut?
RM: Not everyone can pull them off. Our cut, however, is more relaxed and masculine. We’re hoping the design might appeal to men who would not have considered daring to bare before.
Speaking of daring to bare, Dare is actually the name of your new brief line.
RM: Yes, we just unveiled the bold new Dare Brief. The response has been fantastic. Once again, our mission was to make active wear that allows men to have fun, but still be stylish and refined.
Mission Accomplished. What inspired the Dare collection?
RM: The slumping global economy.
How so?
RM: The bold colors are meant to send a message of strength to men that we need not be fearful in this economic downturn. It is our hope that when putting on and taking off the Dare brief, it will remind men that life is meant to be colorful. Even in dark times, there is always room for brightness.
How do the Dare briefs compare with other fun-derwear brands?
RM: Ristefsky Macheda is a fashion label that incorporates strict elements of fashion into our collections. We have never used gimmicky or cute prints in our collections, nor will we. The Dare brief represents confidence and individuality, without compromising the classic Ristefsky Macheda style.
Which is the most popular color?
RM: So far, the red and black briefs seem to be the most popular, but we’re predicting the yellow and blue will pull ahead this summer.
+ Ristefsky Macheda Official Site
