# Stylish Velvet Swimsuits ChicCartel Launched an Ethical Swimwear Line on Kickstarter By Victoria Nelson | Published 2018-02-21 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ChicCartel References: [kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/369879254/chiccartel-first-girl-power-sustainable-swimwear?ref=a6x7g2) & [kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/369879254/chiccartel-first-girl-power-sustainable-swimwear?ref=a6x7g2) ChicCartel launched a [Kickstarter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coolia-activewear) campaign that aims to revolutionize [sustainable fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/versatile-sustainable-swimwear). To do this, the brand is helping two young female designers launch their stylish and environmentally conscious swim lines. These suits were originally made as photo shoot samples and have only been seen on [Instagram](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/small-business-month) influencers, famous models and on magazine covers. The bikinis are made from soft and shiny water-resistant velvet, and bandage one-pieces are made from elastic straps that help shape curves while looking fashionable. As velvet is seems to be coming back in a big way, the designers figured out how to make it water resistant, so their lucky backers can flaunt them on the beach in the summer of 2018. By backing this project, consumers can receive Extra Early Bird Prices that are up to 70% off. Image Credit: Kickstarter ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 37% | Activity: 91% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sustainable Fashion:** The launch of ChicCartel's ethical swimwear line taps into the growing demand for sustainable fashion, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation in the industry. - **Velvet Fashion:** The use of soft and shiny water-resistant velvet in swimsuits presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for designers and manufacturers to explore new applications of this fabric in the fashion industry. - **Direct-to-consumer Selling:** ChicCartel's Kickstarter campaign offers consumers Extra Early Bird prices, showcasing the potential of direct-to-consumer selling models in the swimwear industry and beyond. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fashion Retail:** ChicCartel's sustainable swimwear line launch highlights the need for disruptive innovation in the fashion retail industry to meet the growing demand for ethically conscious products. - **Textile Manufacturing:** The development of water-resistant velvet fabric for swimwear introduces a potential disruptive innovation opportunity for textile manufacturers to expand their product offerings and cater to new markets. - **Crowdfunding:** ChicCartel's Kickstarter campaign demonstrates the potential of crowdfunding platforms as an innovative way for entrepreneurs and designers to access funding and bring their creative ideas to life in industries like swimwear. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vintage-Inspired Swimwear Drops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reformations-second-swim-drop.md) - [Sustainable Statement Swimwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/animalia.md) - [Versatile Sleek Swimwear Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dandy-del-mar.md) - [Luxury Swim Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swimwear-redefined.md) - [Stylish Beach-Ready Swimwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-swim-collection.md) - [Collaborative Luxe Swimwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adriana-degreas-x-sabine-getty.md) - [Modern Low-Impact Swimwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vitamin-a-1.md) - [Wellness Focused Swimwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bathing-belle.md) - [Color-Rich Swimsuit Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/country-club.md)