OUT OF AFRICA

Yodit Eklund, the daughter of an American diplomat and an Ethiopian entrepreneur, has launched Bantu, an exotic line of swimwear that marries the tropical hues of her childhood in Kenya. Egypt, and Bangladesh with the low-key surfing vibe of the African coast. With pieces available in every color under the sun. from cerulean blue to lime green, the collection is sold at Barneys, Fred Segal, and Steven Alan boutiques across the country. Eklund runs the family business with her brother. Yohannes Mekbebe. and together they are striving to highlight an oft ignored element of African life: the vibrant beach culture. The brilliant prints on her tiny bikinis and elegant one-piece suits are sourced from sub-Saharan artists, and then cut and sewn in factories from Ethiopia to Cameroon, bringing industry to some of the world's most needy communities.

LINDSEY KEENAN