Lyn Rosmarin is a modern-day adventurer who never shirks away from challenging endeavours. Best known for being the founder of local designer swimwear label, K.BLU, she takes pleasure in the sun, sand and beach culture and has a passion for sailing.
In collaboration with Sperry, we spent some time with Lyn out in the sun and discussed about her passions, adventures and aspirations in making a difference with K.BLU.
Nookmag (N): Hey Lyn, you were an avid sailor and you have also started your own swimwear label K.BLU. Elaborate on your passion for the sun, sea and beach culture.
Lyn (L): Singapore is very blessed with what we have – a good sun all year round, nice beaches all around the island. We also have a supportive government who gives us space for sea sports and builds the sea sports team. My passion towards the whole sea/beach culture… I do hope that in the next few years, we would have more people taking part in sea sports and activities by the beach/sea. I believe we have foreigners who like to see a different part of Singapore where we built on the sunny side of it, the beachfront. When I started this company, I believe in my core values – I really wanted to involve more people or more women in the whole beach culture, resort wear theme, while bringing a quality lifestyle to Singapore.
N: How did your passion for sailing started?
L: I first started learning sailing when I was 17. At that time, I went to this place at Seletar Reservoir, where I did small boat sailing. I had a very strong interest back then. But I didn’t continue as I was schooling and it was very difficult to commit to sailing. I was around 28 years old when I revived the passion in me. I came upon this place called Constant Wind at Changi. To me, it’s a real hang out place for the weekend. A chill place. There’s the beautiful sea and area for sea sports. I could sail, go kayaking, stand-up paddling. I really like coming here – it’s always very relaxing to be in the sea under the sun.
N: A lot of local ladies are afraid of the sun. What do you have to say about that?
L: Put on a very good sun block – that’s the best remedy. I’m fair, nobody knows that I’m a sun-loving person. I put on loads of sun block every time and I take supplements to help block out the effects of melanin. The sun should not be a negative point to take me away from sea sports.
N: Sperry’s new campaign Odysseys Await celebrates the modern day explorer who is fuelled by passion to live a meaning and fulfilling life. Personally, how could you relate to this?
L: I like the way the campaign portrays a modern adventurer. Putting myself in perspective, I used to be in banking for close to 12 years. I had nothing related to fashion nor was I trained in fashion design. That adventurous part of me took off and I wanted to explore more of what my capabilities are and what I can do to bring a different scene into the beach culture and resort lifestyle in Singapore. I think it’s very relevant to any person out there, who wants to have a ‘just do it’ mentality. Be able to go out and explore what opportunities are there for you in your life. We should take whatever we have chosen very positively and do our very best at that job.
I have never regretted anything in my life. I’ve done all sorts of things since young. I’ve always have a very positive mindset and a pitbull kind of force in me that pushes me forward. My fulfilment comes from taking up all the challenges that I want in my life. Growing up, I wasn’t the best student in school, I didn’t have the best grades and I came from a neighbourhood school. I managed to get myself into a French university and subsequently, an English university sponsored by the French government. I managed to get into a banking career which fortunately went on for 12 years. I was in the top-tier investment banking department. Today, I have set up my own company and I am doing design in swimwear, which is a total switch mid-life. I’ve never felt any better.
N: How do you think you could make a difference in the beach culture with K.BLU?
L: Being the only designer swimwear brand in Singapore, I hope to be able to gather a lot of young women’s interest in buying swimwear and give them a chance to be out at the beach. It could mean that they’re out partying or relaxing at the beach or playing beach volleyball. By doing that, I hope there’ll be a lot more women who will like to flaunt their personality out in the sun and water. Hopefully, this will catch up in the next few years.
N: What is an adventure to you?
L: Many sorts. I’ve done cycling at the Himalayans, I’ve gone to Morocco on my own. Adventure to me is always to be able to do things that I want to do with no hesitation.
N: Where in the world would you like to be right now?
L: Right out at sea. If I’m not married today, if I don’t have any kids or commitment, I’ll be in the sea all day long.
N: Let’s talk about your personal style…
L: I’m a very simple person. So I always like to wear simple lines, ready-to-wear clothes and I’m always skewed towards resort-wear, which is anything that’s like maxi dresses, or with linen in it. Since becoming a designer, I have been looking into prints a lot. I like to pair them up with a clean solid linen shirt. My plain coloured items go very well with nice printed scarf/pants. That’s my current style.
N: How much of your personal style is reflected in K.BLU’s designs?
L: Everything. Especially the prints – I design them myself. They are exclusive to my brand. Everything you see in K.BLU is what I like about prints and I really want to showcase the prints and colours to the women out there.
N: How would you style yourself up with a pair of Sperry shoes?
L: It would probably go well with khaki pants, a nice linen shirt – it could be long/short sleeves, striped, white/pink/pastel blue. I would wear it with a swimwear bodysuit or a nice tank top with denim skirt.
Conversation seeks out inspiring individuals who possess a creative spirit and brim with passion. It offers an insight into the lives of these individuals and the things that drives them. This edition is proudly sponsored by Sperry.
Photo Credits to Chee BP
