Most swimwear is made to be rinsed and forgotten. The fabrics in the Vault Wave Mind Grid collection are not most swimwear. The Nishijin silk-blend lining and the Eurojersey Lycra outer shell both respond to how you treat them, and the difference between a piece that lasts three summers and one that loses its shape after six weeks is almost entirely in the washing.

Rinse immediately after use

Salt water and chlorine are the two things most likely to degrade swimwear fabric over time. Both work by breaking down the elastane fibres that give the fabric its stretch. The fix is simple: rinse the piece in cold fresh water as soon as you are done wearing it. Not when you get back to the hotel. As soon as you are done. A quick rinse at the beach shower is enough. This one habit extends the life of the fabric more than anything else.

Hand-wash with a gentle detergent

Once you are back from the beach or pool, hand-wash the piece in cold water with a small amount of gentle detergent. We use and recommend Delicate Wash by The Laundress, which is available in Japan at most department stores. Avoid anything with enzymes or bleach. Submerge the piece, move it gently through the water for about two minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Do not wring. Press the water out gently against the side of the basin.

Drying: flat and out of direct sunlight

Lay the piece flat on a clean towel to dry. Do not hang swimwear to dry: the weight of the wet fabric pulls the straps and distorts the shape of the cups. Keep it out of direct sunlight, which fades colour and degrades elastane faster than almost anything else. A shaded spot with good airflow is ideal. Most pieces dry within a few hours in summer conditions.

Storing between seasons

Store swimwear and lingerie flat or loosely rolled, not folded tightly. Tight folds create permanent creases in the silk-blend lining. The cotton pouches that come with every Vault Wave Mind Grid order are designed for this: they keep the piece clean and allow the fabric to breathe. Keep stored pieces away from direct light and away from anything with a strong scent, including cedar balls, which can transfer to silk.

If a piece has been damaged by incorrect washing, bring it to the atelier. We can assess whether an alteration or repair is possible. We would rather fix a piece than see it discarded.