Summer 2025: Permanent Vacation Collection Available Now
Summer 2025: Permanent Vacation Collection Available Now
by Erika Togashi July 03, 2018 3 min read
Profession / Business / Title:
Designer & Business Owner of SEPTEMBER – sustainable surf & swimwear
Jane of All Trades
List of brands designed for:
Patagonia
The North Face
J.Crew
Deus Ex Machina
How long have you been in your profession?
15 years
Ivy wears the Malibu One Piece in Ivory
Real talk- PROS vs CONS in your profession?
It’s never what you think it’s going to be.
PROS:
The people. I’ve met some of my closest friends through work. I wouldn’t be where I am now in my career if it weren’t for the amazing mentors and role models I’ve met throughout the years. I’ve been so fortunate that at all the companies I’ve worked for, the level of respect, encouragement and compassion towards each other in the design department has been next level. I know there are many companies where that is not the case.
Being creative and seeing your vision come to life. There is a great joy and feeling of accomplishment when you see people appreciate and love your designs.
Being able to travel to all parts of the world for work; seeing and experiencing other cultures and exploring many parts of the world were all opened to me through my jobs. Having the opportunity to product test the gear I was designing for pro athletes let me also snowboard, climb and mt. bike to some amazing places on earth. These opportunities are unique to working in the Outdoor Industry and I didn’t have them when I worked for fashion brands – but the work life balance that is highly encouraged and a big part of each companies’ culture. I didn’t appreciate it until I no longer had it!
CONS:
You only really design about 10% of the time. The rest is dealing with the backend of design ie: dealing with factories, ordering fabric, fitting samples, reviewing patterns, QC and the list goes on…
POLITICS of the game. In the Outdoor Industry it is still very much a boy's club and well, if you’re not a boy, the uphill climb is that much more difficult. In the fashion world, it’s all about who you know, what you wear, & where you went and if you don't want to play that game…well….you’re most likely going to be on the outside circle.
Boardshort designs for Deus Ex Machina
Best moment in your career?
When I was hired to design for J.Crew Men’s after everyone said it would be nearly impossible to move from designing in the Outdoor Industry to designing in the fashion industry without a design degree. Right now is another best moment in my career, after 1.5years of product testing, I launched my own surf & swimwear brand – SEPTEMBER.
Most challenging moment in your career?
Taking that final leap and really committing to SEPTEMBER 100%. Everything associated with SEPTEMBER is me – my heart and soul and putting it out in the world can be really challenging. I no longer can hide my designs behind the mask of another brand.
Ivy wears the Eden Top and Lucky Bottom in Ivory.
What advice can you offer potential designers?
It’s never as glamorous as it looks from the outside, but it’s way more rewarding than you can ever imagine. Listen, learn, be patient and earn your dues. Hustle, put in the long, late hours and understand that there is so much more to learn about being a designer than what you learned in school. Respect everyone you work with regardless of what department they work in. Trim development or QC testing might not sound as ‘glamourous’ as being a designer, but it’s a team effort and without everyone collectively working and respecting each other – the product will always suffer.
Your thoughts on diversity and/or inclusivity in the design industry?
It’s been over 4 years since working for a US-based brand and I hope things have changed since then, but the majority, if not all, brands I’ve designed for have been led by white males and it was a real exclusive ‘boy’s club” and if you are of a different race or gender – it could be real isolating. From what I hear and read, that’s changing – but I wouldn’t be able to tell you first hand. I’m a little out of touch living in Bali.
Favorite inspirational quote?
You don’t need a lot of things, you just need the right things.
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Love the print and the fabric. Perfect for diving !
Great top, fits well and true to size. Super soft material. The print is vibrant and detailed. I surfed in it the other day. It was comfortable the whole time and stayed in place.
Great surf top! Fits true to size and is secure. I am a 34C and the S fits my bust well. I do wish the straps had a bit more elastic for extra support but very pleased with the overall fit, comfort, and functionality!
I have been a die hard Lucky Bottom girl for some time now! They are tried and true: Secure, supportive, and stay put so I don’t have to worry about any slips in the lineup. Fit is more moderate but very flattering; material is soft and buttery and very very comfortable. I have multiples of the bottom and while I can wear a XS or S - I will say I prefer the fit of the XS to ensure extra security, especially when wearing these bottoms in bigger waves of consequence. If you are between sizes, I would recommend sizing down!
This top is so good! Super comfy, supportive, and it actually stays in place when I’m surfing or just laying out. The fabric feels really nice and the fit is super flattering. Love the square neckline and the textured fabric. I’ve been reaching for this one nonstop. You can really tell the quality in the fabric!
I love this super cute suit! Double lined so it stays in place while I’m surfing. Awesome color pattern.
Pattern is so cute, fits perfectly, true to size and super Flattering, and for sure the most comfortable bikini i got. Cant wait to have some more September in my closet🌺
I adore this sun crop top/rash guard. The fabric is super soft (I have never tried anything near this soft), and it fits so nicely! Perfect for longer surf sessions in the tropics/during summer, to stay protected from the sun. I used to surf in bikinis only, but this top has been a total game changer now as I want to protect my skin more. The thumbhole detail helps to protect the upper parts of my hands too, and makes it stay in place. Can’t recommend it enough!! Love it!
Really liking to surf in this. The coverage is perfect for me, feels comfortable at all times, it’s buttery but also resistant. I’ve gotten compliments on the cool green pattern too!
This top is exactly what I needed for the right support and a comfortable yet stylish feel (my biggest fear with bikinis is to see my top fly off mid wipeout!). The fabric is very soft and the color is actually super vibrant, I’m definitely loving it.
I really love the fit of these surf shorts! They are high waisted and I love surfing in shorties like these. The color and material is also nice. The only thing I don't absolutely love is the banded elastic waist, just because sometimes it is not the most flattering if you are in between sizes. Mine are really comfy and fit me well, I am a pretty standard medium and they seem true to size. They stay put in the surf and I got lots of compliments on these :) would recommend.
I surfed in this top and its super cute and stays put! Usually I end up with the same style of sports bra - esque surf top because it's all that really stays on in the surf, but this one is flattering and I didn't have to re-adjust it either. I got lots of compliments on this! Personally I took the padding out, it's nice that you can remove it if you want. I also really love the blue color and the ribbed material feels nice. Very comfy.
Exactly that I was looking for for my trip to Indo, stylish, functional, high quality sun protection. Highly recommend!
Can not get enough of the high neck for hawaii and tight fitting torso for surfing north shore
I love that instead of two removable pads like in most bikinis, this has one long thin padding insert that doesn’t move around. Great design & quality! Perfect for surfing.TTS.