Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes have already etched their names in Canadian women’s beach volleyball history at the Paris Olympics — and so has their outfit.
The duo is the first Canadian beach volleyball team to play for gold at the Games. They’re also the first in Olympic history to hit the sands in a one-shoulder bikini top.
Designed by Vancouver-based swimwear brand Left On Friday, the unique swimsuit had to be approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), says Shannon Savage, one of the brand’s co-founders.
“Because … that had never happened in the sport before,” Savage told CBC News of the one-shoulder creation.
“And so as we were coming up with the concept, we submitted the designs to say, ‘Is this OK?'”
Left On Friday, a Vancouver-based company, designed the beach volleyball bikini uniforms for this summer’s Olympics. Co-founders Shannon Savage and Laura Low Ah Kee say they have been working with Team Canada for three years and the athletes had input on the final design.
She says the final product was based on input from the two athletes.
“It was actually inspired by Brandy and Melissa, who were already wearing some of our products,” she said. “Melissa, when she was hitting with her right arm, she was explaining just how free she felt and was just so unrestricted in her serve.”
Combining “fashion and function” is the brand’s mantra, says Laura Low Ah Kee, who started the company with Savage in 2018.
“They’re the best in class athletes, but they also care about how they look,” Low Ah Kee said. “It was really important to us that we made them feel the best from a comfort standpoint but also from a fashion standpoint.”
In 2022, Left on Friday signed a three-year deal to be the official sponsor of Canada’s national women’s beach volleyball team. Since then, the brand has worked with Canadian athletes to make custom, tailor-made designs.
Finding a niche and filling it
Both co-founders are former Lululemon executives and built a relationship while working at the Canadian athletic apparel retailer.
“I think we were both at Lululemon for over 10 years and had phenomenal careers there,” said Low Ah Kee.
She said they decided to establish a premium active swimwear company after leaving the clothing giant.
After noticing a gap in the market for active swimwear that’s both stylish and functional, they said they decided to create their own premium brand.
“Nobody was creating beautiful bathing suits that you could be active in and hang out in, and nobody was applying the knowledge of fabric and fit,” Low Ah Kee said. ” So we saw this product opportunity, and we knew how to fill it.”
Low Ah Kee and Savage, who have been in Paris cheering on the Canadian pair, say their product’s global exposure has been immensely beneficial.
The brand’s designs have been making waves in Paris, earning praise from Vogue and the BBC for their “flattering-yet-functional” beachwear.
“This is a moment that you could not create. It’s just mind-blowing,” Savage said.
“We’re so proud of ourselves and so proud of all the athletes competing,” saidLow Ah Kee.
Canada meets the top-ranked Brazilian beach volleyball team in Friday’s gold-medal match at the Eiffel Tower Stadium.