Sealence: the swimwear turning the sea into a way of life

The sea is a clear example of how nature can inspire great stories. Its depth, humanity's eternal connection to the waves, and the loud kind of silence it brings are unique, unmatched, and full of meaning. Beyond the emotional bond, the sea is also a space for play — somewhere to relax or get active. Sealence was born from all these feelings that draw people to the sea, and from all the activities that make it a place for enjoyment and connection. Anna Alonso and Cristina Basilio are two friends who share, above all, a love of the beach. Their lives had always been full of adventures in countries where the ocean is part of the journey — Bali among them. It was on the beaches of that Southeast Asian island that they decided to launch Sealence, a brand of long-sleeved swimwear for women. A line of sea-ready clothing that strikes the perfect balance between function and style, proving a woman can feel feminine even while doing sports that call for more coverage.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," Alonso says with a laugh, speaking with The New Barcelona Post. In August 2025, the two friends stepped into a new chapter of their lives as entrepreneurs. They wanted to share their designs with the world, and to do it from the city that saw them grow up: Barcelona. "It mattered a lot to us that the brand be Catalan," Alonso says. With little background in entrepreneurship and this being their first venture, the two friends dove in headfirst with a clear goal: to create long-sleeved swimsuits that could carry you through an entire day at the beach — "from surfing to throwing on some pants and grabbing a beer," as Alonso puts it.

The brand is aimed at women who love to travel and love the sea, and who refuse to give up fashion and femininity on their adventures. With bold floral patterns, Sealence swimsuits stand apart from what's currently on the market — and that's exactly what makes them work. They check every box of a proper long-sleeved swimsuit: sun protection and coverage suited to sports like surfing or snorkeling. They're also made from recycled materials, making them a strong ally for sustainability. Since January, the brand has logged more than seventy sales, and despite having only recently entered the market, the founders say, "we're becoming a more established name, and people in the industry are starting to recognize us," says Basilio.

Over the past year, the founders haven't sat still — they've expanded their swimwear range. First came tweaks to their existing styles to meet customer needs: Alonso explains that the swimsuits were originally designed as thongs, but they've since added Brazilian-cut versions of some styles, along with others with fuller coverage. At the same time, they've launched a children's line, since kids are part of their everyday lives — Alonso is a mother herself — and collaborations with content creators revealed there was demand.

The reality of being an entrepreneur

Alonso and Basilio are clearly committed to and energized by their project, but that doesn't stop them from being candid. Basilio points out that entrepreneurship isn't easy, and that things take longer to get done because "each of us has a job on top of the brand." They also note it's a competitive market — while their goal is to combine function and femininity, other established brands already sell long-sleeved swimsuits. That's why both say this first year has been about "building brand consolidation," and why they have upcoming meetings planned to tackle the challenges that have come up along the way.

Along the same lines, they note that their product is highly seasonal, meaning certain months bring few sales in Catalonia and Spain: "Purchases pick up when people are heading off on trips," Basilio explains. They've also seen how countries in Southeast Asia — where water sports can be done year-round — have become a key potential market. "A lot of Spanish women who've moved to those countries bought a swimsuit before leaving," the founders note. While shipping to Southeast Asia isn't yet an option, it's something they're actively considering.

The Sealence community

Businesses today no longer rely on product sales alone — there's a whole set of goals tied to genuinely connecting with society. Sealence wants to build a community of women who share a passion for and love of the sea. Beyond the product itself, the founders want to reach their customers from other angles. Basilio mentions talks and workshops, though nothing is set in stone yet. "A session on how the moon affects the sea," the founder muses, adding that astrology is another shared interest. Ultimately, the entrepreneurs want their brand to be more than a product — they want a community where people can express themselves, connect, and above all, share a love of the sea.

Sealence aims to be the perfect companion for adventurous women — travelers who won't give up surfing, but won't give up a glass of wine at sunset either. The brand's swimsuits are as versatile as their founders, and just as devoted to loving and respecting the sea. In just one year, Alonso and Basilio have already won over plenty of customers, carved out a place in the industry, and championed the sea as a powerful ally — straight from Barcelona.