The sea is a clear example of how nature can inspire great stories. Its depth, the eternal human connection with the waves, and the noisy silence it brings are unique, unparalleled, and full of meaning. Beyond the emotional bond, the sea is also a great space for recreational activities to enjoy, relax, or play sports. The story of Sealence is born from all these feelings that bring you closer to the sea and from all these activities that make it a great space for enjoyment and gathering. Anna Alonso and Cristina Basilio are two friends who share, above all, their love for the beach. Their years had always been full of adventures in countries where the ocean is part of the route, such as Bali. It was precisely on the beaches of this place in Southeast Asia where they decided to create Sealence, a brand of long-sleeved swimsuits for women. A line of beachwear that perfectly combines utility with fashion and style, to show that one can feel feminine even while doing sports that require more coverage.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," says Alonso with a laugh in a conversation with The New Barcelona Post. In August 2025, the two friends began this new stage of their lives as entrepreneurs. They wanted to share their designs with the world and they wanted to do it from the city where they were born: Barcelona. "For us, it was very important that the brand was Catalan," Alonso acknowledges. Without much idea of entrepreneurship and it being their first company, the two friends jumped into the deep end with a clear objective: to get those long-sleeved swimsuits that accompany you all day at the beach: "from surfing to putting on pants and going for a beer," Alonso exemplifies.
Its brand is aimed at those traveling women and sea lovers who do not want to give up fashion and femininity in their adventures. With floral and colorful patterns, Sealence swimsuits are far from the current market offerings, and that is precisely what makes them different, yet very suitable. They cover all the needs of a conventional long-sleeved swimsuit: sun protection and coverage suitable for sports like surfing or snorkeling. In addition, they are made with recycled materials, which makes them great allies of sustainability. Since January, they have achieved more than seventy sales, and although they have only recently entered the market, they assure that "we are increasingly a more consolidated brand and we are recognized in the sector," says Basilio.
In this last year, the founders have not stood idly by and have expanded their range of swimsuits. First with some alterations to the models they already had to meet the needs of some buyers. Alonso specifies that they had designed their swimsuits to be thongs, but that they now have the Brazilian version of some models and others with a more closed bottom. In parallel, they have also opened their line for children, as children are part of their daily lives —Alonso is a mother of a girl— and following some collaborations with content creators, they saw that there was a certain market.
The reality of being an entrepreneur
Alonso and Basilio show themselves to be very involved and motivated in their project, but this does not make them less honest. In fact, Basilio recalls that entrepreneurship is not an easy task and that it takes them more time to do things because "each one has their job apart from the brand." They also maintain that it is a market with competition and, although their goal is to combine utility and femininity, there are other consolidated brands that sell long-sleeved swimsuits. That is why both affirm that they have spent this first year doing "brand consolidation" and have scheduled upcoming meetings to see how to face the problems that have arisen in this adventure.
In this same vein, they recall that their product is very seasonal and, therefore, there are months when they don't have many sales in Catalonia and Spain: "There's an increase in purchases when people go on a trip," explains Basilio. They have also seen how Southeast Asian countries, where water sports can be done all year round, have become an important potential client. "Many Spanish women who have gone to live in these countries have bought the swimsuit before leaving," the founders specify. That's why, although there is not yet the possibility of sending Sealence swimsuits to Southeast Asia, it is a possibility they keep on the agenda.
The Sealence community
Currently, companies are no longer based on selling products, but rather there is a whole series of objectives that include real penetration into society. Sealence wants to create a community of women who share hobbies and love for the sea. Beyond their product, they want to reach their customers from other angles. Basilio talks about talks and workshops, but they don't have anything defined yet. "A session on how the moon affects the sea," reflects the founder, who adds that astrology is also a hobby they share. The reality, then, is that the entrepreneurs intend for their brand to be more than a product; they want a community where they can express themselves, share, and above all, love the sea.
Sealence seeks to be the perfect companion for adventurous girls, for those travelers who don't want to give up surfing, but also not a glass of wine while watching the sunset. The brand's swimsuits are versatile and, like their founders, are made to love and respect the sea. In just one year, Alonso and Basilio have already managed to steal the hearts of many buyers, make a place for themselves in the sector, and reclaim the sea as a great ally from Barcelona.