Kadal
Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam — the studio is two lanes up
Every piece belongs to one colour story, dyed to match water we swim in. Choose one to bring its pieces up from the deep.
Twelve pieces, each cut in the sizes shown. After you order, reply to your receipt with your size — or write to us first and we will help you choose.
12pieces afloat
LagoonBandeau & mid-rise
Two pieces · removable straps
A ruched bandeau and a mid-rise brief in periwinkle blue, with a silicone grip along the top edge so it stays put when you dive in.
LagoonTie sarong
Sarong · 110 × 180 cm
A sage-green sarong that dries in the time it takes to walk up from the beach. Tie it as a skirt, a dress or a shawl.
LagoonScoop back, high leg
Low scoop back · fully lined
Navy and white stripes on a low-backed suit with a high leg, cut to lie flat through a long swim.
CoralRelaxed kaftan
Kaftan · knee length
A loose coral kaftan in crinkled cotton voile, light enough for a sea breeze and right for lunch afterwards.
CoralTie sarong
Sarong · screen-printed
Our hibiscus-and-palm print, screen-printed in Kochi on a navy ground. Big enough to lie on, light enough to pack.
CoralRacer back
Racer back · lined front
A coral-red racer for lengths: a narrow back, a moderate leg and a fabric made for pool water as much as the sea.
SandTriangle & tie-side
Two pieces · tie sides
A strappy-backed triangle top and a tie-side brief in olive, the colour of the coconut groves behind the beach.
SandPlunge, medium leg
Plunge neck · soft cups
A shell-grey plunge one-piece with soft removable cups and a lower leg. A quiet colour and a careful cut.
SandCross back
Cross back · double-lined
A white textured one-piece with a cross-over back, lined twice so it stays opaque in the water.
NightBalconette & high waist
Two pieces · soft underwire
A navy balconette with a soft underwire and a high-waisted brief, for the swim after the sun goes down.
NightTriangle & high leg
Two pieces · mesh over lining
A black triangle set with fine mesh over the lining — named for the fishing nets its yarn was spun from.
NightSquare neck, scoop back
Square neck · wide straps
Black and square-necked, with a deep scoop at the back and wide straps that never dig in. The suit we reach for most.
Nothing in this colour right now.
On the way back to the surface: how a Kadal suit is made, from old fishing net to its first swim.
Fishing nets past mending are gathered along the coast and spun into nylon yarn, then knitted into a dense, soft swim fabric.
Every pattern is cut by hand in the studio, a few suits at a time, so nothing is cut that will not be sewn.
Flatlock seams, a second lining and elastic set by hand into the edges that work hardest.
Each new cut is worn in the sea at Kovalam for a month before we make it in every size.
The studio is two lanes up from Lighthouse Beach — try things on, then try them in the water. Write to us about sizes, repairs or a custom length.
We have received your order and emailed you a copy.