Origin of Oceans Captures the Spirit of Sustainable Luxury with Kathleen Bily’s 2025 Global Swimwear Tour

As fashion weeks unfolded in four of the season’s buzziest destinations—Austin, Miami, Ibiza, and New York—one brand made waves not only for its design but for the ethos woven into every stitch. Origin of Oceans, founded by designer Kathleen Bily, emerged as a standout in the 2025 swimwear circuit, capturing attention with pieces that look—and feel—like heirlooms of the Earth.

With handcrafted beadwork, small-batch sustainability, and a visual language steeped in the hues and textures of nature, Bily’s designs invite wearers to reflect on where they are, who they’re with, and the power of clothing to hold memory.

The 2025 Runway Tour began in May at Austin Fashion Week before hitting Miami Swim Week, Ibiza Swim Week, and culminating in New York Swim Week on July 26—where Origin of Oceans presented 13 handcrafted looks to a sold-out audience. The finale was hosted by New York Swim Week founder Evita Scoccia, with Bily's brand standing out among the 22 featured designers for its meticulous artistry and purpose-driven aesthetic.

Each garment, made by hand and designed to endure both saltwater and freshwater, is more than functional—it’s deeply personal. The waterproof embellishments and embroidery aren’t just decorative; they are narrative, capturing elements of Kathleen’s travels and emotional landscape.

Origin of Oceans collections follow the arc of a day: colors that transition from dawn to dusk, each hue a reflection of natural light and mood.

The pieces shimmer with storytelling—sun-washed pastels, high-noon brights, and dusky metallics—composed in a way that never feels heavy-handed. The message is subtle but steady: nature isn’t a trend; it’s a guide.

With degrees in both Fashion Design and Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, Bily spent more than a decade designing for major names including Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Kate Spade, and Tory Burch before launching her own brand during the pandemic.

“I started Origin of Oceans during COVID,” she explains. “It had been my dream for years to create a swimwear brand that felt luxurious but intentional. I’ve always been happiest near water, and I wanted to create something that reflected that joy.”

That joy now animates everything from her textile sourcing to her global showings. And while her studio may be boutique, her ambition is international. The brand has already been tapped for upcoming fashion weeks in France, Dubai, and Italy—proof that thoughtful design knows no borders.

The most recent runway collection is now available for purchase at originofoceans.com, with the same limited-quantity approach that defines Bily’s commitment to sustainability. Once a style sells out, it’s rarely remade, preserving the exclusivity and artistry of each piece.

Origin of Oceans is reframing the relationship between fashion and memory.

Her garments are less about trends and more about time—the moment you wore them, the place you felt most alive, and the people who were with you. That’s the essence of the brand: a sense of presence, of place, and of permanence in a world that often moves too fast to notice the details.