About Us
On the Island is an independent resort wear brand based in London. The newly relaunched label specialises in modern hot-weather dressing, with an emphasis on exclusive prints, refined silhouettes and a strong, sophisticated approach to colour. Collections offer a complete wardrobe for the contemporary traveller – from swimwear and elevated coverups to silk dresses for dinner.
The designs are redolent of the sun-warmed skin, windblown hair and deep contentment produced by the most memorable holidays.
The On the Island woman is self-assured, dynamic, at ease, in search of discovery and the unexpected. For her, fashion is at its best when it feels
specific and personal, and has a story to tell.
To that end, every piece has been carefully designed to ensure that wearing it is a delight. This thoughtful approach turns even the easiest-to-wear pieces into statements. A strapless silk dress styled to resemble a tucked-in sarong deploys clever layering and thigh-split placement to ensure it retains its fluidity and ease in all contexts. A gauzy cotton-voile kaftan skims the body, with wide sleeves and a curved hem that make it an unexpectedly flattering cover-up for beach or poolside.
A palette derived from the work of contemporary artists and the natural world further distinguishes the brand. Original prints are painterly, abstract and subject to interpretation – engaging print-phobes and print-philes alike. Ready-to-wear uses natural fabrics including silk habotai, cotton voile and crisp poplin, while swimwear employs high-performance technical fabrics to enhance and support the wearer. All of it is designed by a creative team that brings experience from the upper echelon of the luxury sector (including at Dries Van Noten, Acne and Calvin Klein, among others) to the brand.
Every piece of swimwear and ready-to-wear is infused with a sun-drenched sensibility. Silk dresses, beach-to-city separates and the most flattering kaftans imaginable offer the On the Island woman a capsule wardrobe for her next adventure, and beyond.
About the Founder
Over the course of an unparalleled career, On the Island Founder Sue Whiteley has built a reputation as one of the most visionary and enterprising executives in the luxury fashion sector. She launched her career at Harvey Nichols, leading its transformation from a staid department store into an international fashion destination. After joining Alexander McQueen as President and CEO in 2001, she worked alongside McQueen to grow his label into a global luxury fashion house.
In 2004, she joined Louis Vuitton as managing director of its UK, Ireland and Scandinavia business. Whiteley opened the Louis Vuitton Bond Street Flagship store – “the most luxurious Louis Vuitton store in the world” – and aligned the house with artists including Anish Kapoor, Tracey Emin and Chris Ofili. Most recently, she served as president of Givenchy during Riccardo Tisci’s tenure as designer.
On the Island is Whiteley’s most personal project yet. Drawing inspiration from her love of art and travel, and her years as a competitive swimmer, she’s creating a brand that offers refined off-duty-wear for women of style and substance. For Whiteley, true luxury comes down to considered craftsmanship – simple but elevated pieces in which every detail matters.
