Tess Daly on her empowering swimwear range Naia Beach: ‘It’s a big deal when you’re getting your kit off for the first time in summer’

Daly is best known as a television presenter, and the glamorous co-host of Strictly Come Dancing, but in 2021 she and friend Gayle Lawton teamed up to launch their own swimwear line, Naia Beach.

“Gayle was a swimwear model for over 20 years, so she knows what works and what fits,” says Daly. What works, especially for more mature women, is something more considered than the tiny, flimsy triangle swimsuits many high-street stores offer.

​“We have secret sculpting in our swimwear — it’s not too restrictive, though. It’s having your cake and eating it too. You want to indulge on holiday and not worry. Our swimsuits fit perfectly and stay in place,” Daly says.

“We angle seams in a way that it gives you a waist, or ruching to show your best assets,” adds Lawton. “A lot of our resort-wear can be worn out for dinners as well.”

Multi-use products are a lifesaver when faced with suitcase weight restrictions. “I weigh what goes into my suitcase,” says Daly. “If I pick a dress up and it feels really heavy, I just think, ‘No, I could fit so much more in for that.’”

With their passion for travel, they must be expert packers? “I find it so difficult to pack: I start five nights before and have a rail to do my edit,” Daly says.

“I’m the night before!” laughs Lawton. “We have to be careful we don’t overlap now [when holidaying together] because we basically have the same wardrobe with Naia.”

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Anyone wearing Naia Beach this summer might also be twinning with the stars. “My cousin Dominic Purcell, of Prison Break, is married to Tish Cyrus so she’s obviously got lots of Naia to wear on her holiday,” says Lawton of the mother and manager of pop star Miley Cyrus.

“We’re hoping to get a kaftan to Miley soon too!” adds Daly.

What’s their top packing tip? “I always pack one piece of swimwear in my hand luggage, in case luggage goes missing,” says Daly. “No one wants to be on holidays and not be able to make it down to the pool!”

Naia Beach’s summer 2024 ‘Wanderlust’ collection has recently arrived at Brown Thomas, Grafton Street. “Every piece is created with love: you’re going to feel your best selves in our swimwear. We got your back,” says Daly.

“We’ve got your front and your back!” laughs Lawton.

See brownthomas.com