Áine Boyle & Sally Anne Sherry.
THE STORY
Meet Áine and Sally Anne, two Donegal-born sisters who through their love of water, swimming and the enchanting local landscape created Kahm Sustainable Swimwear in July 2021. Together they are striving to create a better world to pass on to the next generation. “It’s our responsibility to do what we can before we hand it over.”
The brand is in its infancy, currently catering to women and children, but Áine and Sally Anne have ambitious goals and plan to accommodate all body types at all ages and stages – with cuts to accommodate every bum and bump. “One thing I want is a fuller range of bum cuts.”
After travelling the world, the sisters realised what a treasure a beautiful coastline is and set Kahm in motion. “We have always had a great love of water and swimming, whether that is in a swimming pool or the sea.”
They partnered with Healthy Seas, who take old fishing nets, old carpets and nylon scraps and transform them into Econyl – a sustainable fabric made by Italian company Aquafil that can be infinitely recycled.
Áine and Sally Anne are committed to contributing to a circular economy, so it’s not just their swimwear that’s sustainable, but every facet of their business. They are also petitioning Healthy Seas to start collecting material off the Irish coast, so that their company can make a real impact at local level.
New lines are released every three months and customers flock to Kalm’s launch events, knowing they need to be quick to secure a purchase. “The evenings when we drop our new lines are all hands on deck, because our customers know that we’re likely to sell out.”
Kahm’s beautiful and flattering swimsuits are easy to care for. Simply rinse in cold water and line dry, and they will last for years.
THE WHY
It’s important to live sustainably. You feel better as a person by making good choices about what you buy.
THE CHALLENGE
Buy less, choose well. Do clothes swaps, look for vintage, look for long-lasting, durable things. Love what you wear.
THE HOPE
We have hope that individuals can make change, little by little, and together we can work towards a circular economy and a sustainable future.
THE RECOMMENDATION
PROJECT - Aquafill. A sustainable textile company.
To find out more visit www.kahm.ie or follow Sally Anne and Aine on Instagram - @kahm_sustainable_swimwear