From the Shore to the Streets

August 04, 2023

Louisa Ballou started her eponymous brand in 2019 with the intention of creating swimwear that transcends the beach. Inspired by the remarkable landscape and vibrant surfing culture of her hometown, Charleston, South Carolina, she has since expanded her range to include ready-to-wear. Based between New York and SC, the brand is made domestically with high quality materials imported from Italy.

To showcase the versatility of her garments, Ballou has decided to partner with photographers to capture her garments in real-life, everyday settings. Her first installment with Paris-based photographer Sam Hellmann finds us in downtown Manhattan, where the beachy aesthetic of her FW23 harmoniously intertwines with the energy of the concrete jungle. Her beautifully hand-painted and cut-out designs sculpt Leyla's body like water.

Text by Mariah Jolie
Photos by Sam Hellmann
Styled by Louisa Ballou
Model Leyla Greiss

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