“The ocean was always more than a playground. It raised me. Now it’s my turn to protect it.” – Erik Leutar, Founder of Aventura Swimwear

A Brand Born from the Shoreline

Aventura Swimwear started, quite literally, on the sand.

Founder Erik Leutar grew up in a small coastal town in Croatia, just five minutes from the sea. The Adriatic wasn’t just a backdrop; it shaped his days, his mindset, and eventually, his mission. Long before fashion entered the picture, Erik was drawn to the ocean for what it gave, freedom, perspective, and purpose.

After years spent studying marine science and working as a marine officer, Erik had seen both the beauty and the damage up close. He crossed oceans, collected data, and wrote his master’s thesis on ocean pollution and plastic debris. But despite all the technical knowledge, the question remained:

What could one person really do to help?

The answer came years later, in a conversation on the beach with his childhood friend Petra. She was talking about how many bikinis she owned. Erik started thinking about how fast swimwear trends came and went — how cheaply things were made, and how much plastic was involved on both ends of the process.

That’s when something clicked.

Turning Ocean Waste into Swimwear

Instead of contributing to the cycle of waste, what if he could reverse it?

The idea behind Aventura Swimwear was simple: take plastic out of the ocean and turn it into something beautiful and empowering.

Erik and Petra started researching fabrics made from regenerated ocean waste, especially discarded fishing nets, one of the ocean’s biggest hidden pollutants. They connected with Italian suppliers producing fabric from ECONYL®, a premium yarn made from recycled materials.

After months of development, they found a boutique, women-led factory on the Amalfi Coast in Italy that shared their vision: to produce high-quality swimwear in small batches, made with purpose.

From that point on, there was no turning back.

Slow Fashion With a Mission

Aventura isn’t about fast trends or mass production.

The brand was founded on three core beliefs:

• Sustainability is not a trend — it’s a responsibility.

• Luxury can exist without waste.

• Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can wear.

Every piece of Aventura Swimwear is ethically handmade and designed to last season after season. Erik doesn’t believe in “collections that expire.” Instead, Aventura focuses on timeless silhouettes, sculpting cuts, and elevated colours that move with you — from swimming to sunset drinks.

The result? Swimwear that’s as bold and beautiful as the women who wear it.

A Founder Who Lives the Message

What makes Erik different from most founders in fashion? He didn’t come from the fashion world at all.

He came from the sea.

This hands-on approach, from fabric choices to how each piece is packed and shipped  is a direct reflection of Erik’s values. He’s involved in every detail, not because it’s trendy, but because he truly believes that how we create matters just as much as what we create.

As Erik often says:

“Sustainability isn’t a trend — it’s a responsibility. We need to be aware that our actions have consequences.”