Nobody does a sunny stay more stylishly than Heidi Klein. We talk to co-founder Heidi Gosman about the hard work that goes into creating perfect relaxation

How did it all start? 

With a perfect team! My business partner Penny Klein and I noticed a gap in the market when we struggled to buy luxury swimwear outside the summer months. From this realisation HeidiKlein was born. I handle all the creative aspects while Penny oversees the commercial side of things.  

Were you interested in fashion as a child? 

My interest in fashion came from my mother being an interior designer – she definitely had an influence on my interests growing up. One of my favourite memories is helping her select fabrics and prints.  

What advice do you have for the next generation of aspiring designers? 

Research, research, and then research some more. This is the only way you will be able to understand what your market and customers really want. It’s crucial to learn about the business side of things so that you can understand how your designs will be brought to life and into stores.  

What are your key design principles? 

I design what I love. I always think of things that I would like to wear on holiday and this filters through into a lot of the collections.  

Must-have pieces for summer? 

Our latest collection has some stunning silk ready-to-wear pieces. The Quincy Bay and Salina frill midi dresses are elegant enough for night time soirees but also look great during the day.  

How do you ensure things look good, whatever your shape? 

It’s all about the fit. We spend a lot of time making sure our swimwear is stylish and comfortable. Hidden support in a lot of our pieces, and our 7-stage fit cycle, is key.  

Tell us about your new bb capsule collection.  

The bb is our most minimalistic range in terms of support such as underwiring and padding. The material we use for these pieces creates strong silhouettes which sit in all the right places on the body. What I love is that every piece is reversible creating lots of fun colours and patterns to mix and match.  

Your top tips for looking chic on the beach? 

Go for versatile pieces which can be worn over swimwear. Our classic oversized shirts and maxi dresses are perfect for this. I always pack these when I’m heading on a beach holiday. Add a wide brim hat and big sunglasses and you’re good to go from day to night.   

How do you manage your life/work balance?  

Balancing my home and work life can be difficult, even if we are lucky enough to shoot swimwear collections in places like Malaysia! When I need a moment to myself, I’ll walk with my dog.  

First beach memory? 

The first time I remember being on a beach was in Sydney as a child with my family.

Favourite beach holiday? 

It was to Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands. Half a mile of golden sands next to the clearest waters – it was unforgettable.  

Your beach bag must haves? 

A good book, big sunglasses and Factor 50. 

What’s the future for Heidi Klein? 

Where do I start? While we are going to continue to make beautiful swimwear there will be a much stronger focus on resortwear. There are lots of prints and silhouettes in the upcoming collections which we are super excited about.   

Heidi Klein (heidiklein.com) offers up to an hour of one-to-one Personal Swimwear Fit Service at its two London boutiques in Chelsea and Westbourne Grove. If you can’t make it to London call 020 3904 8740.