Summer 2025: Permanent Vacation Collection Available Now
Summer 2025: Permanent Vacation Collection Available Now
by Charlotta Linder May 20, 2025 3 min read
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.
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Q: Hi Nat, I love our collaboration and am excited to share it with the world! Could 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 ideasand 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.
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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 January 24, 2025 2 min read 1 Comment
Discover why winter waves are always worth it—our top tips for staying warm, making every chilly surf session unforgettable, and enjoying those post-surf moments. 🍵
by Charlotta Linder October 07, 2024 1 min read
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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.
Suit fits true to size and feels perfect in the Honolulu summer ocean! I hope it lasts forever!
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!