Just before we shot the latest Moonlight Issue for Pantalon, I came across Perth-based swimwear brand C.DESIGN and fell in love with their brand story. What initially caught my attention was archival imagery posted to C.DESIGN's website of models such as Gisele Bundchen, Elle Macpherson and Megan Gale wearing the brand's original pieces from the 90s. On further reading, there was quite a lot of Australian fashion history here that I felt drawn to. Three days out from the shoot, C.DESIGN kindly loaned their one-pieces to Pantalon and it was the perfect swimwear to style with our pared back collections, essentially as bodysuits. Sculpted and simple, doubled-lined and authentically timeless. A perfect complement for day to dinner dressing.

C.DESIGN was originally founded in 1993 by Claire Metcalf and her husband Gavin Eddy. As a common fashion pairing, Claire was the creative, experimental side to the business making samples and testing techniques and designs. Gavin, an accountant by trade, looked after logistics, finance and legal matters. It was a brand focused on swimwear exuding the pure spirit of the 90s; bold, minimal, and classic designs. They ran C.DESIGN for 10 years, making their swimwear inhouse from Perth and supplying to the likes of Barney’s and Bergdorf Goodman in NY and Harvey Nichols and Selfridges in London before closing in the early 2000s to start a family. Now Claire and Gavin's children are around the same age as their parents were when they launched the brand; the five of them have re-established C.DESIGN using the original patterns and designs of swimwear. Below are some of the favourites from the shoot, worn by Mercedes Rigby and Isobel Coady Jiear and photographed by Peter Van Alphen.