On the east coast of Bali, nestled between Mount Agung and a sandy black beach, rests the remote island beach resort Amankila. It’s where Innes Heywood – founder of swimsuit label Innes Lauren – grew up.

With hoteliers for parents, her childhood was a stark contrast from the typical Australian suburban life it might’ve been. Until the age of eight, Innes was eating local Indonesian food, speaking Bahasa and exploring the resort’s endlessly photographed backyard, as if it was her own personal playground. “I was sort of kept to exploring corners of the resort. I would spend a lot of time down on the grass where it meets the sand,” Innes says. “I grew up in a bubble, but it was a beautiful bubble.”

Innes means “island dweller” – a fitting match for her life experiences. Her first memories are nature-filled escapes, immersed in the ocean and sand. “I could actually swim before I could walk,” Innes laughs. “My childhood was totally careless, wild and free. It was barefoot and a little bit nonsensical at times. But being in that environment shaped who I am today.”

It’s also the impetus behind her label, Innes Lauren, which was founded in 2018. The swimwear designs are an authentic reflection of her and have a unique sense of nostalgia. “I’ve gained a lot of inspiration from other places in the world, like Italy and Europe in general, but essentially the core of my business is an ode to Indonesia and to Bali,” she says. This comes through in the brand’s consideration of the environment: using recycled textiles, a made-to-order ethos and an emphasis on high-quality garments. “Growing up so close to nature definitely made me appreciate it more,” she says. 

Innes Lauren promotes a return to slow living and island pace. “I think when we become adults a lot of that childlike freedom and ease and carelessness tends to be overridden by sophistication. I think that often when we’re in a swimsuit we’re our best selves,” she says. By imbuing her pieces with simplicity, Innes hopes she can help women tap into feelings of innate beauty that come with considered design. 

This is also evident in the creation of pieces that are sexy and stylish, yet supportive and functional. “They’re sort of designed as a second skin,” she says. You can wear these swimsuits everyday, all day: under pants, under dresses, with shorts, on a beach, on a boat or on a plane. 

She describes water as a big part of her everyday life, a “kind of meditation” that is essential to resetting and realigning. And, whether it’s five degrees or 30 degrees, wherever she is she’ll find a place to swim. “I was in Sweden the other day and there’s not much swimming in Stockholm, but I managed to find this swimming spot because I just needed that swimming fix. I always try to seek out little swimming spots wherever I can whether I’m in a city or by the coast,” she says. 

On her travels around the world she’s scouted some of the most unique and blissful locations. Here’s Innes’s top six swimming spots to add to your never-ending bucket list.