Erika & Nat chat about the SEPTEMBER x Alaia collaboration

From spontaneous surf trips to designing the perfect surf suits, this is how two like-minded women came together to make something special. Join in for a quick chat with Erika & Nat, the two women behind the SEPTEMBER x Alaia Mentawai collaboration.

Q: Hey Nat, can you share a bit about your background and how you came to be involved with Alaia Mentawai?

I was working as a surf guide/photographer at another resort for 6 seasons with my partner. When we started thinking about our future, we just couldn’t imagine life without Mentawai. I’d say everything just naturally happened.

Q: Erika, how did you first connect with Nat, and what drew you to collaborate with Alaia?

This collab started last April while I was staying at Alaia. Nat and I go way back—we’ve been friends since our first surf trip there during Covid. We’ve always connected over women’s surfing, design, and of course… bikinis. She’s insanely creative, and over time, the idea just clicked: why not create something together? So we did—a surf suit and print designed by two like-minded women, made to handle even the Mentawai beatings.

Q: Nat, why did you choose to collaborate with SEPTEMBER?

We love sharing ideas and working on new things with creative, core surf industry people. As SEPTEMBER’s swimwear is packed with many of Erika’s ideas, I was thrilled to be able to make surf suits with them!

Q: Erika, what do you think makes the Alaia collaboration fit into the essence of SEPTEMBER?

For me, it’s about creating suits that are tough enough for the ocean but still look great. Alaia and SEPTEMBER both value adventure, freedom, and the strong friendships that come from the ocean. It just made total sense for us to bring those values together in this collaboration.

Q: What inspired this collaboration between Alaia and SEPTEMBER, Nat?

When Erika came to visit us at Alaia last year, we talked a lot about swimwear for surfing. We had so many ideas, and it felt like the perfect time to collaborate. So, we decided to create a bikini filled with each other’s ideas!

Q: Erika, what piece from the collaboration are you particularly excited about?

The Alaia Surf Suit is a new, fresh piece—it sits perfectly in the collection and works beautifully for those long sessions in the ocean.

Q: Nat, what inspires you, personally or professionally?

Alaia’s guests! Each and every one of them, who have chosen to visit our little surf resort from different parts of the world, always give us new discoveries and ideas.

Q: What’s your favorite part of the day outside of surfing, Nat?

It’s hard to choose, but maybe sunset time. I’ve been living in Mentawai full time for over 10 years now, and every single sunset is never the same. It always reminds me how lucky I am to be here.

Q: Erika, when do you plan to head back to Alaia to surf next?

I’ll probably be heading there whenever really, spontaneously, but nothing planned just yet. I have so many favorite places in this world so it's a challenge to have time to visit all, regularly. 

Q: Nat, do you have any fun trips planned this year—surfing or non-surfing?

Unfortunately, I don’t have any plans to visit anywhere else just yet, as we’re pretty much fully booked for the whole season (which we’re so stoked about, and very thankful for!). But once the season is over, we’ll be busy preparing for next season. It’s all good though, because we get to meet so many amazing surfers here at Alaia. I really love my job!

Check out the new SEPTEMBER x Alaia Mentawai collaboration.