by Caitlyn Roux January 14, 2022 3 min read 2 Comments
One of our core values at SEPTEMBER is trust and trust requires transparency. We perceive our customers and online community as our friends, and between friends, there can hardly ever be any secrets.
So, dear friend, we’re sharing with you a few challenges we faced over the past 2021 year and letting you in on some things to look forward to in 2022. We’re taking you behind the scenes of our brand so we can both grow and evolve together.
The challenges we faced and how we overcame them.
Life is full of highs and lows, without the lows, there would not be any highs.
Our founder goes full circle.
Our founder, Erika was nomadic for much of 2021, making it challenging to run a full-time business. Due to unplanned (but very positive) events, Erika and her partner left Bali with the intention of moving to Costa Rica. However, as life tends to go, reality doesn't always equal expectations. After 8 months of the unknown and trying to 'find a new home and HQ' she realized the answer had never changed - it's always been Bali! Back to her original lifestyle of splitting time between New York and Bali, she's finally feeling grounded after the wild last two years.
Riding the seasonal highs and lows.
SEPTEMBER experienced such great sales and exposure during the Spring/Summertime in 2021. Coming out of a tough 2020, sales and customer growth were exponential...until they were not. As with most seasonal products, as soon as the month of September hit (no pun intended) with it came a significant drop in sales and engagement. Understandably so, people are thinking of all things warm and cozy and not their next swimsuit purchase. We talk about the highs and lows of being a female small business owner, but this has to be one of the hardest, when all the negative thoughts take a heavy toll on our mental health. But picking ourselves up from our boot-straps and not one to wallow too long in our self-doubt, we are making some big changes regarding how we care for ourselves personally, mentally, and professionally. Exciting things happening in 2022!
It takes a whole team to design our swimwear.
We can’t take all the credit ourselves. We source our sustainable fabric from Italy and work very closely with a female-owned and majority-operated factory in Bali to produce SEPTEMBER suits. As with most businesses, large and small, we were greatly affected by the infamous SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS. AGH! This year we dealt with long delays in fabric deliveries, therefore leaving us unable to restock some of your favorite products. We’ve made sure to account for these delays going forward and fingers crossed we're back to smooth sailing in 2022.
We are SEPTEMBER 2022.
SEPTEMBER believes life is full of endless possibilities and opportunities, we have so much we want to achieve!
Some things to look forward to in 2022
We’re heading in the direction of being more than just a surf and swimwear brand. We want SEPTEMBER to be part of your everyday active lifestyle. The friend you're excited to take with you on every new adventure.
Thank you for letting us share this with you.
X Erika + SEPTEMBER
March 17, 2022
A private comment from proud mother to amazing daughter.
This is so exciting and inspirational! I can’t wait to see and feel the new line and fill the orders :) !!!
Best Wishes, Erika! I know how endless it is and I am so proud of you!!!
I love you!!
Mama xoxox
Comments will be approved before showing up.
by Charlotta Linder September 01, 2025 2 min read
Most swimwear lasts one summer. SEPTEMBER suits are different — designed for longevity, made with recycled Italian fabric, and trusted by surfers for over 3 years (and counting). Discover why timeless swimwear is the smartest, most sustainable choice you can make.
by Charlotta Linder June 19, 2025 1 min read
A short Q&A with Dana Hamann—surfer, retreat host, and co-creator of DanceLightly Surf & Awareness Retreats. We chat about what inspired her journey, life in Lombok, and her deep connection to the ocean.
by Charlotta Linder May 20, 2025 3 min read
Erika and Nat discuss the SEPTEMBER x Alaia Mentawai collaboration, sharing their creative journey and what inspired the collection.
You can add a content block like this to your blog article sidebar, and use it for more details about blog authors, for example.
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …
I have this in basically every color. It's my ride or die bottom for coverage, protection and comfort.
My chest is always the first thing to burn on my body. I've been so good about protecting my face and not as vigilant about my chest and neck-- until now. This top is so cute and also very functional. I put it on sometimes mid-beach day when I feel the sun is cooking me most. I also like how it has the thumb hooks so you can protect your hands, too. I have this in multiple colors. I really like the fabric of the "Olive Eco Rib" color most. It's the most durable. I've taken it to Mexico in pretty solid surf and it stays put. It's nice to throw in your surf bag for travel incase of jellyfish or sea-lice since it will protect your arms, neck and hands while paddling.
This suit has quickly become a favorite. The coverage is perfect--secure, flattering and comfortable. The material is nice and thick too, so no worries about it being see-through. Comfortable, durable, and stylish for long surf sessions. I had been looking for a white surf suit for a while, since it is such a nice color to film and photograph, but I was concerned I wouldn't find one that offered the right coverage. This suit is up top the task!
I love how it feels and wear. The only thing is it runs small even if it by the size chart in USA measurements. I always wear a size a Medium but when ordering Medium here it runs a bit small so will need to order the next size up
Stumbled across this suit at the Xanadu surf shop on Lombok and loved the green bean print! But ahh the fit is amazing. Truly one of the first surf bikinis that I feel confident wont fly off if I get hit by a big wave. I bought the same style in red too! So cute and *actually functional!
Ahh I'm obsessed. Truly one of the first surf bikinis that I can feel confident wont fly off! I have the matching top and bottom and cannot stop wearing them. I bought the same style in red too! So cute and functional!
The made of this bottom is just perfect…fabric felt soft and smooth while hugging the body perfectly. It’s a modest coverage but still had me feeling free and not restricted in the hips area while surfing! Love love love this:)
The cutting of the top is flattering and felt so secured during my surf session. The print is just perfect. 10/10
If you are extremely fair like me but spend hours in the sun this is your top for no more burns. Covering neck,chest and hands has been a game changer for me in the water. I even wear this top mountain biking! Highly recommend if you want a cute and flattering top but want to take care of your skin.
Amazing surf suit bottom that stays snug if you’re spending hours in the water- I’m always skeptical of lighter prints being see through but this pattern is not at all, it’s a thick material but feels light on the skin. Super happy with these bottoms and have already taken them in three surf trips!
i originally bought this because i had burned my bum pretty badly & not only did it prevent this from ever happening again but it stays on perfectly and doesn’t leave a hard tan line. big fan😍😍
heya guys, i recently bought this bikini and IM LOVING IT😍😍 i have a hard time finding a bikini that keeps everything inside the top, in general but especially for surfing and im sooo impressed with how safe the top is despite being super comfortable and light! thanks so much for making these 🫶🏼🫶🏼
This is officially my favorite suit to surf in! The Alaia Surf Suit keeps everything perfectly in place so I can focus on surfing without worrying about adjusting anything. I usually pair it with the Scorpion Rashguard, and together they make the perfect set functional, comfortable, and stylish.
I also love wearing it to the beach with my daughter. We can run around, play, and still feel super cute. The material is amazing you can really tell that Erika and the team at September know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to both performance and design.
This is now my summer staple. Feels very cool with the heat when it’s wet.
I’ve recently been surfing in this top and honestly can’t believe how comfortable a rashguard can be. I’m a redhead, so sun protection is super important and this top nails it. The thumb holes offer extra coverage on the backs of my hands, and the higher neckline gives great protection without feeling restrictive.
What really surprised me is how soft it is. So many rashguards feel rough or end up causing more of a rash, but this one is buttery soft and gentle on the skin, even after long sessions in the water. September really got everything right with this piece functional, protective, and super comfortable.
Barbara Furlong
March 17, 2022
Wonderful article. You are are powerhouse! I am so happy for you and September!!
Love,love, love the whole package.