Our know-how

We want our swim shorts to be perfect from every angle, with no compromise on quality, values or environmental issues. And this approach can be seen in our unique expertise, right down to the very last detail. From textiles made out of recycled fishing nets, to buttons designed by a jewellery artist in Geneva and made from rPET, craftsmanship, sustainability and short supply chains lie at the heart of our approach. A human adventure, where the very best talents have been assembled to make the first swimwear whose life is a journey from the sea to the sea.

Ethical, practical and stylish

Our Oeko-Tex® certified fabric was specially developed for Rivea using plastic bottles recovered from beaches or fished out of the Mediterranean. Ethical, yet stylish and practical too, this high-end fabric is soft to the touch, dries quickly and is highly resistant to wear and tear.

Reduced carbon footprint

There was never any doubt that our swimwear would be produced in Europe. Not just because Europe has labour laws and safety standards to protect its workers, but also because of the environmental impact of transport. In line with our values and commitments, our swim shorts are manufactured in small production units in northern Portugal, with whom we have developed strong, lasting relationships.

Sublime, sustainable printing

Our prints are inspired by the Riviera and all the stories that surround it. The fabric is printed by sublimation, using water-based, solvent-free inks and a heat press. Not only is this one of the most eco-friendly printing processes, but it also produces some of the most sustainable results, as the colours are highly resistant to the effects of salt, sea and chlorine.

A sense of detail

"The devil is in the detail”, so we leave nothing to chance. Here’s a list of those little things that make a big difference and that we therefore take particularly seriously:

• Eyelets at the back of the shorts to let the water out.

• Seams reinforced with numerous bar tacks at stress points.

• Drawstring ends finished with slightly curved aglets featuring the Rivea logo, made from stainless zamac – an alloy made from zinc, aluminium and magnesium.

• Back pockets are folded, assembled and positioned by hand, to ensure they fit seamlessly with the printed pattern.

A button made with ocean waste

For some, the button is a tiny detail. Not for us! Buttons are important. We put a lot of thought into how we make the buttons for our swimwear. Designed by hand in wax, by a Geneva based jewellery maker, the buttons bear Rivea’s logo and distinctive wave motif. Our preference for local, eco-friendly means of production means that the buttons are made in Switzerland from rPET and moulded by hand, with the precision for which Switzerland is justly famous.

Waterproof, sustainable, biodegradable pouch

All our swimwear comes in a waterproof pouch made of TPU, a new, sustainable, biodegradable material. Perfect to take with you to the beach, on the boat, or on the terrace, on all your summer getaways.

Traceable, local, eco-friendly!

We firmly believe that small things can have a big impact. What better reason to ensure that even the buttons on our swim shorts are made from eco-friendly rPET, produced by a Swiss start-up in Basel.

Quand la perfection nait de l’imperfection


Because we don’t believe in leaving anything to chance, we asked a jewellery artist based in Geneva to design the perfect button for our swim shorts. By reworking the Rivea logo and stylised waves graphic, in her hands the button a work of true craftsmanship.