It is a truth universally acknowledged that every girl needs the perfect swimsuit for the summer. It is, unfortunately, also true that finding said swimsuit requires hours of scouring the internet, reassembling bikinis onto hangers in dressing rooms and eventually settling for the option with slightly more pros than cons. It seems we’re constantly searching for swimwear with flattering coverage that stays put, something sustainable but also affordable, Instagram-worthy but comfortable. JOLYN’s new capsule collection with influencer Eryn Krouse proves these criteria don’t have to be either/or.
Eryn Krouse does it all—content creation, surfing, traveling, modeling, college, design—and her new collection proves it. So, whether you’re striving for Insta-worthy pics, surfing in the Maldives or simply spending the day at the beach, JOLYN x Eryn Krouse has got you covered (or not covered, whichever you prefer!).
We went straight to the source to get the inside details of the new collection and its inspiration. In this exclusive interview with Eryn Krouse, we learn about life as a content creator, going to college on the beach, traveling, sustainability and more:
HC: Because Her Campus is an online publication dedicated to women in college, I want to start by asking you about your college experience. You are a UCSB alum; what was it like going to school pretty much at the beach, and what impact did it have on your college experience?
EK: I absolutely LOVED my years at UCSB. It honestly felt more like a surf resort than a college, and I took full advantage by surfing as much as possible (sometimes twice a day and in-between classes when the waves were good). That was the first time I’ve ever lived within biking distance from the beach, and it made me feel inspired to be active and outdoors. It was also a really cool experience to meet new friends in the water and always to see them out there when I went for my daily sunset surf session. Such a special time and I miss it every day.
HC: Did you start your career as a content creator in college? If so, what inspired you to begin, and how did you incorporate content creation into your routine?
EK: Yes, my career as a model and content creator began as soon as I turned 18. I found a way to balance working, going to school and training as a swimmer all at once. It wasn’t easy, but I really wanted to pursue modeling and social media, so I made it work by staying on top of my school work and obligations and sometimes completing assignments way ahead of time. Whenever I had time off, whether it was just for a weekend or a week-long break, I made sure to either be traveling or meeting up with local photographers to shoot.
HC: You decided to take two years after graduating college to focus on traveling. How did that experience shape your career? Would you recommend this to college students and graduates?
EK: The years I dedicated to travel after I graduated were the best years of my life, honestly. I went to so many incredible places that expanded my views of the world and my place in it. And even though I was done with school, I told myself that I was entering into the “school of life” where I’d actually learn first-hand about the places I’ve read about in my textbooks. I also used this time to focus on documenting my travels on social media and growing my platforms on Youtube and Instagram. I would absolutely recommend college graduates and students to travel as much as they can if they have the means to do so. It’s the most rewarding thing money can buy.
HC: What are some of your favorite places you’ve traveled to, and where feels the most like home?
EK: Some of my favorite places that I’ve been to were Egypt, Jordan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Fiji. Sri Lanka blew my mind with its rich history, delicious food and amazing longboard waves. Anywhere with beautiful ocean environments always feel like home to me, and my favorite places to surf and free dive are French Polynesia, Maldives and Fiji, for sure.
HC: How did your love of the ocean in particular impact the course of your career?
EK: When I started modeling, I had a lot of insecurities because I’m not built like the typical model. I’m petite and have more of an athletic body type, so at first, I’d get booked for specific jobs because I had a background in surfing and ocean swimming. But, once I began to develop my portfolio more, I got more and more modeling jobs, and the industry has definitely changed from when I was 18 to how it is now. Through my love for the ocean, I think I was able to differentiate myself from other creators and models because my content was more about surfing and free diving and being active in the water than just looking pretty in a bikini. And now, I’ve worked with so many incredible brands, and the best part is, it never feels like work because my jobs take me to beautiful locations around the world where I’m able to do the things I love and somehow get paid for it. I’m very grateful.
HC: How do you recommend others, specifically busy college students, connect or reconnect with the ocean (or nature in general) and what are some of the benefits of doing so?
EK: College can be a very stressful time, but I think just getting outdoors (whether you’re by an ocean or not) is the best remedy. Not only can you meet other adventurous and like-minded people, but it also does wonders for your mental well-being.
HC: Surfing is one way you connect with nature. How has surfing shaped your life and inspired your new swim collection with JOLYN?
EK: Surfing has shaped my life in pretty much every way, from where I choose to travel to my close friendships, and how it makes me respect nature and want to take better care of our natural world. For my swim collection with JOLYN, I wanted to create a line of suits that would be my go-to when I go on surf trips. I love having solid surf suits that will be functional and supportive in the water, clean silhouettes for free diving and snorkeling while being cute and fun and a suit that I would want to wear just chilling on the beach.
HC: What makes a swimsuit good for surfing, and how did you incorporate those
characteristics into your collection?
EK: A great surf suit is comfortable, supportive and flattering. My JOLYN x Eryn Krouse surf suits (the Leilani and the Lennon) are my favorite pieces in the collection. I’ve gotten so many compliments while wearing them out surfing, and I think what makes them special are the fun prints, but also the unique design where it’s very supportive and athletic yet still has the element of femininity and grace with the open back to show off your figure. I also really love the Summer bottoms because they’re cheeky and great for tanning, but they have a bungee cord to keep them put in all sorts of situations. So the Summer bottoms and the Chika top are my go-to for surfing in a bikini.
HC: I have a few college friends that want to start surfing but think they’re too old. What advice would you give them? And which of your suits would you recommend for a rookie surfer?
EK: You are never too old to start something! The time is now, and the main thing to remember is to have patience with yourself, be respectable and safe when out in the water, but most importantly, to have fun! I’d recommend any of my suits, but if you really want to look the part of a “surfer girl,” then definitely the Lennon surf suit.
HC: Your collection was sustainably made. Can you explain how so and why this is important?
EK: When designing the collection with JOLYN, I made it a priority to be more sustainable in any way that I could. As a result, all of the suits are made from a recycled fabric called SEAFLEX, which is actually created from recycled fishing nets! I think people are definitely starting to grasp the importance of sustainable fashion, and it just made sense that my surf collection wouldn’t have a negative impact on the oceans because that is our playground, and people who enjoy being in the ocean know how it important it is to protect it.
HC: How do you practice sustainability, and how do you recommend others do the same?
EK: I think doing little things every day makes a difference. My favorite ways to be more sustainable are bringing a reusable water bottle with me wherever I go, using reef-friendly sunscreen and reducing my waste whenever and wherever I can.
HC: What was your utmost goal while designing your collection with JOLYN?
EK: I wanted to create a collection of swimsuits that would make the women wearing them feel supported and beautiful. I also wanted my JOLYN collection to be a one-stop shop when buying swimsuits for your next vacation or surf trip.
Eryn Krouse has done it all—surfing, content creation, sustainability, college, travel. And she’s got a swimsuit for every occasion to show for it! The JOLYN x Eryn Krouse collection is evidence that you can have swimwear without sacrifices.
Check it out at https://jolyn.com/collections/jolyn-x-eryn-krouse-surf-collection.