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Florida based Tunaskin launches new aquatic apparel collection

Tunaskin’s new Echo Performance Collection aims to combine function and fashion for the aquatic lifestyle.

2nd June 2017

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Fort Myers Beach, FL

Clothing/​Footwear, Sports/​Outdoor

Florida-based Tunaskin Aquatic Apparel brand has announced opening of a new store in Key West, in addition to the upcoming launch of its Echo Performance Collection featuring Repreve polyester. The company, founded in 2010, aims to combine function and fashion for the aquatic lifestyle apparel – worn for fishing, sailing, paddle boarding, diving, and other activities.

“Tunaskin is an idea born 40 miles off the Florida Keys,” said avid sport fisherman Mitch Fusek, who co-founded the brand together with his fishing buddy Bill Bronsord. “The aquatic industry wasn’t focused on performance,” he said. So, the two partners came up with the idea of a lightweight, quick-drying fishing shirt that would also offer protection from the sun to fill the gap.

Tunaskin grew through sponsorship in fishing tournaments and other aquatic events. Sales have seen double digit growth every year since 2011, the company reports.

Key West shop

The Outdoor Foundation’s Participation Topline Report for 2016 saw aquatic sports such as stand-up paddle, fishing, kayaking, boardsailing and windsurfing with solid growth rates over the past three years. “Consumers are embracing aquatic sports as part of their outdoor experience, connecting with the outdoors through travel, trips, and social occasions,” commented Fusek. “We are more function than fashion-focused; and aquatic consumers are definitely making room for that.”

In 2015 Tunaskin opened its first brick-and-mortar on Fort Myers Beach. “We had a great opportunity to establish our brand in our backyard here in Southwest Florida,” said Fusek. “We often hear from our customers that they like that we’re not found everywhere, and love the in-store experience.” In March, Tunaskin dropped its anchor on Duval Street in Key West.

“Key West is a very transient place, and it’s more difficult to grab visitors’ attention with all of the activities competing for their time,” commented Fusek. “But being a small island, the locals really support each other. We noticed in our Fort Myers Beach store that our sales really increased when we started working more with the locals there and became their brand. With the launch of Key West, we want to follow that path and become a larger, more active part of the Island community.”

Echo Performance Collection

Introduced this spring, Tunaskin’s new Echo Performance Collection aims to combine function and fashion for the aquatic lifestyle. The collection was developed with full-package supplier Pinehurst Manufacturing, working with a US mill to design a proprietary high-performance fabric of Repreve recycled polyester.

Tunaskin team at the 2016 Grouper Grapple. © Tunaskin

With sales and marketing in Newport Beach, CA, and manufacturing in Honduras, development at Pinehurst is headed by Uwe Heintel, a veteran of the US textile industry. “The super-soft, lightweight knit features moisture management and UV-protection attributes,” the company reports.

According to Fusek, the brand’s working partnership with Pinehurst has contributed to its success by enabling US development and quick-turn delivery from Honduras. “Although we were really small, Uwe took the time and went out of his way to make the opportunity for us, particularly with the development of our technical fabrics, which we want to expand,” he said. “Pinehurst stepped up and helped us tell our story. We are excited to see where we can take it.”

Commitment to community

Tunaskin believes its commitment to community is evident in the team’s participation in a wide range of fishing tournaments, SUP races, eco-adventures, and Waterkeeper events along the Florida coast as well as in Costa Rica.

This will be the fourth year Tunaskin is sponsoring the Grouper Grapple, which takes place from 12-13 August at Fish Tale Marina, Fort Myers Beach. The tournament benefits the Freedom Alliance, an organisation, which works to offer rehabilitation, create camaraderie, and improve quality of life for wounded US veterans.

“We think it’s important as a brand to give back and make that part of our foundation as we continue to grow,” said Fusek.

www.tunaskin.net

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