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Wearing three summer essentials: Laiik sandals, Flagpole swim, and Barton Perreia glasses.

Thoughtful design makes my heart beat faster; when there’s passion behind the craftsmanship too, I’m sold. In a world where cheap copies of things are easy to come by, I gravitate towards what will last, tell a story, and make me feel good about where my dollars went. It’s vital to support independent designers and their labels – here are three of my favorite luxe summer brands, just in time for pool weather.

Laiik Sandals

Designed in D.C. and handcrafted in Athens, Greece, Laiik sandals are colorful, minimalist, and the perfect foil for summer’s color-blocking. While they’re made in the style of traditional Greek sandals, these are a several levels up. (I speak from experience, having visited Athens in 2009 and sat for a pair of custom tan sandals from the legendary Poet Sandal-maker). With sturdy rubber soles fresh, often asymmetric lines in a punchy palette – Laiik makes are classics reinvented for a modern world.

Laiik’s Moira sandal. Use code VANESSA10 for 10% off your order

This pair caught my eye as soon as I stepped into the Laiik summer pop-up in D.C., this year conveniently located in DuPont Circle. The white-on-white straps and teal accent across the toe make for a fresh combination – and remind me of the ocean.

All Laiik’s sandals are made from vegetable-dyed Vachetta leather guaranteed to have been processed using non-toxic natural tannins with a low environmental impact, and are assembled by third-generation craftswo/men. Other favorites right now include their gold-white-and-tan Ani sandal, and new gladiator-style Ippolita.

Flagpole Swim

I’m finicky about my swimsuits – I don’t like anything too patterned or overtly sexy, and I’m very picky about colors. It’s hard to find the right balance of suit that perfectly hits the mark on being a little femme fatale but also modern and fresh, and maybe a little quirky too. Enter Flagpole.

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Somehow Flagpole has nailed that combination. A woman-owned business run by two best friends, Flagpole aces color-blocking with palettes and cutouts that range from sporty to sexy to vintage. The architecturally-inspired swimsuits and resort wear are all designed and produced in New York City.

Made from an Italian four-way stretch material that is anti-pill, anti-bacterial, chlorine resistant and quick-drying, I snapped up two tops and two bottoms in this fun neon pink, lilac, and orange color palette. I got lucky and found all four on sale at Zappos, but after wearing them out and testing the fabric, I can say with confidence that these durable, incredibly chic suits are worth the investment.

Wearing Flagpole’s Electra top and Celine bottom, and Barton Perreia Kismet sunglasses in white pearl .

Barton Perreia Glasses

I discovered this high-end LA-based eyewear brand at local boutique Annapolis Opticians, which only carries independent designers. Their selection includes the Parisian-chic French brand LaFont, which encases vintage fabric within its acetate frames, and quirky, Austrian-made Andy Wolf Eyewear in styles Iris Apfel would love.

Founded in Los Angeles by two Olivier Peoples veterans, Barton Perreia is a breath of fresh air in an eyewear market saturated by licensed brands and dominated by just a couple corporations. Each piece is handmade in Japan, eschewing logos for precision fit and design.

As someone with a small face and nose, I was astonished at how well these sunglasses fit my face, especially after Optician Nic Persinger expertly adjusted them for me. One look in the mirror and it felt like, well, kismet.

Bonus – if you’re someone who need prescription lenses, you’re in luck – Annapolis Opticians is one of the very few optical stores with an in-house lab to custom-make lenses. That means that any pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses frames you fall in love with can be fit with lenses to match your vision.

And while there are those of us who will happily yell “twinsies!” from across the room, there are others who want to be the only one with a specific look, dammit! The latter will be happy to know that Anapolis Opticians only carries a few of each style at a time – and when they’re gone, they’re gone.

I love independent design because it is thoughtful, often sustainable, and free from the trappings of trend. As someone who is enjoying a life-long journey of wardrobe curation, I have confidence that these summer pieces will be with me for many seasons to come. And as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry put it, “Since it is beautiful, it is truly useful.”

Shop Pool Style

Follow me on Instagram @theprimpysheep for more product reviews and style inspiration. And if you enjoyed this post, you may also like:

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