I wanted to...

1) recycle the shitshow of single-use plastic that's choking our coastlines and seas.

2) make a statement in graphic design.

I have a real job, one that requires a clear caffeinated mind, shoes… and a bra.

When I’m not at it, I’m at or in the sea. 

I live on an island; its shores are a stone’s throw from my door. I can see it glistening from my desk. After work and on the weekends, I go to peek into the lives of tide pool creatures, to pet sea slugs. I go to swim out and wait for the Jeju dolphins. I go to watch the Heanyeo work. I go to just float around and look. I sunsoak on its sandy shores and run my dogs there. 

I wanted better water wear. Swimwear that fits well, that reliably and comfortably stays put, and that protects my super sunkissed décolletage from (more!) sun damage. So I created it, and in doing so, I also created little, one-woman-two-corgi company called Tu Tiki.

Tu Tiki SUPcycled is all the things I wanted and more… More?!?

Tu Tiki SUPcycled serves as a vacuum for the single-use plastic (SUP) trash found all over our beautiful beaches. 

Tu Tiki SUPcycled swimwear is made of recycled single-use plastic and its designs represent its origins. My current favorite design is called Jugs which features single-use plastic water jugs. There is a design of a plastic-littered beach, of plastic straws, of microplastics. The designs showcase the issue at hand and one interim solution, recycling the single-use plastic trash into something that lasts for many, many, many uses. The fabric is super soft with a wonderful elasticity to provide comfortable compression. It resists snags and bags and fading to live a life well beyond its original “single-use”. 

Additionally, the bikini top doubles as a sports bralette, perfect for yoga and the myriad of other energizing activities that require some compression support.  The sun protection top is also perfect for non-swimming activities, including just looking foxy and fantastic when you’re out and about.

I love this new line and find it useful for my lifestyle. I know many of you, and I designed it with your active, eco-conscious needs in mind. I hope you get as much joy out of life while wearing SUPcycled as I have.  Here’s to summer and an adventurous, curious life. Lots of love to you all. Tatiana 

1. Single-Use-Plastic (SUP) recycling