Portuguese surf fashion

Those who know me also know that I am a well-known ‘fashionista’ – always on the cusp of international couture from the runways of Paris and Milan to the streets of London, New York and Moscow.

The fact that I choose to wear sweatpants and a fleece jumper 75% of the time should not take away from the above stated fact. I love fashion: from ice cream cone-shaped surfer hair and skinny jeans to ironic mullets and retro neo rockabilly polka dot bikinis, I am your man.

Oh, ‘whom’ am I kidding? I couldn’t give a toss about your hipster doofus acid wash 80s fashion core pierced nape bollocks any more than it gives me something to roll my eyes at in the style of a grumpy old crotchety has-been.

I am therefore the perfect person to give an unbiased, honest impression of Billabong’s new Ericeira collection of surf/swimwear.

OK, it’s a product. But it’s truly inspired by Portugal and specifically the surfing hotspot of Ericeira. The Ericeira Collection from Billabong features men’s board shorts and women’s one piece (as well as bikinis) with traditional Portuguese tile (azulejos) prints.

Anyone who’s been to Portugal knows Portuguese tiles. They are unique and symbolic of the culture, art and design of this wonderful country. It’s only fitting that a line of swimwear inspired by both Portugal and the village of Ericeira bear the at once rustic and ornate images of these tiles.

Check out the picture of the collection below. You’ll notice that the swimwear is not just printed with a pattern inspired by Portuguese tiles, but with actual photos of azulejos. At least that’s what they look like to me, though the CEO for Billabong’s parent company in Latin America states here that they are ‘inspired by traditional Portuguese azulejos’.

Fancy that.

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