If you’ve followed, stalked or even just stumbled upon my Instagram profile by accident, you’ve probably noticed that I’m wearing a bikini like 60-80% of the time, that is, whenever and wherever acceptable.
When I look back at my online career, it almost feels like swimwear is entangled in my dna in a sense. Rewinding back before 1.6 million Instagram followers, back to high school when my online presence wasn’t much beyond my personal Tumblr blog, I can vividly remember saving up to purchase my first designer bikini. I was so completely unaware of the role that moment would play in leading me to where I am right now, writing this blog post about my own swimwear collection.
The story is that I got the size wrong on that first bikini. Anyone remember Triangl Swimwear? Triangl, btw, is still a super successful swimwear brand, but I’m talking about Triangl back in their early days, when their entire bikini collection consisted of only a few bright, neoprene, triangle shaped bikinis outlined in black. Well due to the thick neoprene material, if you ordered one size too big you’d get what us industry professionals like to refer to as a “diaper butt.” I ordered a S instead of an XS, and thus, had a case of the diaper butt. But instead of exchanging the suit, which sounded like a very daunting adult task to my high school self, I decided to sell it on Poshmark, the app I was using (and still use) to resell my clothing on. My mom took photos of me in the suit in our backyard to list the bikini for sale, and I ended up repurposing one of those images for my very amateur Instagram feed.
Triangl reposted the photo to their Instagram account (!!!), and as if that wasn’t already a huge enough deal, they then directly contacted me, asking if I wanted to collaborate, adding that my image had performed better than any other image they’d posted to their feed. I’d never been asked to “collaborate” with a brand before, let alone a designer bikini brand that I was a massive fan of. And that’s where it all began.
Fast forward. I went on to study design in college, and from there pursued this path I’m still on as a digital entrepreneur. As my personal brand evolved over the years, swimwear remained. It only feels natural to fuse my love of design with my love for swimwear and… DRUMROLL PLEASE… I’m so proud and excited to announce that I co-created a swimwear collection with PQ Swimwear!
When PQ Swimwear (formerly PilyQ) and I sat down together last year to discuss a design collaboration, they were already a brand I’d been wearing for years and one that had always stood out to me. Their suits have been so consistent in terms of both quality and style. You can probably imagine it can be quite limiting to design something unique with such a small piece of fabric, but PQ suits felt like they had that “it” factor to me.
So when asked if I wanted to create a collection of my own with them? It was a yes from me. We came together to reimagine an array of iconic PQ styles that resonate with me and my style. The partnership fuses PQ’s expertise in crafting gorgeous swimwear with my expertise in living in a bikini (honorable mention to my experience in social media marketing and content creation).
Speaking of content creation, I was granted free-reign and full creative control to take the collection anywhere to capture the digital assets for it, so naturally Zack and I jumped on a plane to Hawaii and brought the vision to life, just the two of us.
Just to bring this blog post up to speed here, all this all took place at the end of 2019. We launched the collection on 11/11. We sold out of half the collection on PQ’s site in the first week. In the weeks following launch, my collection was featured in: WWD, Forbes, The Zoe Report, AOL, HOLR Magazine, Popsugar, People, Marie Claire, Yahoo, The Fashion Network… Oh yeah, and I went on live local news, KTLA, to talk about the collection. Watch that here.
So yeah, it’s been a series of pinch-me moments and it’s safe to say my high school self is both screaming and proud. The collection is available here on PQ’s site, and also here and below on Revolve!!! The collection is selling fast, and sadly we won’t be restocking! If you miss this one, you’ll just have to wait for my next design venture… ;)
Shop select styles from my swimwear collection on Revolve here:
Without further ado, may I present “Helen Owen x PQ Swim” through the lens of Zack Kalter shot in Oahu, Hawaii, September 2019. Click on any image for the link to that suit! (On PQ’s site, the link for the top will open, just scroll down to shop the bottom too)














Ella
31 January
I LOVE THESE PHOTOS AND YOU!! would love to get the chance to win the contest 🤍♥️
Emma
31 January
When every suit is so DANG CUTE you dont know which one to get! 😭😍
Makensie McDonald
31 January
They are all so cute!! Love the white one so much!!
Emily
31 January
Hi!!!!
Kenady, @kenadysykora_
31 January
So cute!
Katie Shaffer Biehl
31 January
Me please 🦋💞
Carla Garcia
31 January
o. m. g. i would die for your swimwear collection. if only my broke puerto rican ass could afford it hahahah. i can picture it perfectly in my closet!! wish list.
Isdeny Tejeda
31 January
I love the beige one with the seams, if I could I would buy it!!
Daisy tjong
31 January
I love all your bikinis!! Would love a set from you but i live in singapore so not sure if i qualify (: but ur pictures are amazing keep it up!
Ellie Newitt
31 January
I absolutely love your swim collection! I’m starting a new job soon and definitely need one of these suits for all the travelling I’ll be doing !👙
Emily
31 January
I’m obsessed with these!!! Haven’t gotten a new swimmy in YEARS! Thanks for the recs :)
Alina
31 January
Every single piece i would love to wear! Just so special 😍
Kennedy Noel
31 January
👙
Ella
31 January
LOVE THEM ALL
Tiffany Ng
31 January
So cute!
Sarah
31 January
Love the entire collection!!! 😍😍😍
Huntleigh Williams
31 January
LOVE this story and this line!! I always aspired to get into design and was always wary of companies asking to collab but your story is so inspiring and motivating!! Thank you for sharing!
Samantha
31 January
You’re a dream 😍
Olivia
31 January
You are goals! I love love love them all 😍
Maeve
30 January
I love your swim collection! I’m going on a vacation soon and want one of these suits!!👙
Marianna
30 January
I definitely need one of these bikinis😍😍😍
Baylee vigil
30 January
I’m obsessed with your collection! We have the same body type so you give me ideas on how to style my looks when I travel! Instagram @bayleeshay
Marianna
30 January
You inspire us to follow our passion. Thank you Helen. Keep working!!
Alina
30 January
Gorgeous collection!😍
Marianna
30 January
For me the most important part of your collection is that it is wearable at any size. Congratulations and thank you for keeping in mind that not all of us have the same body!!!
Marianna
30 January
Love these bikinis. Congrats girl for the amazing work you have done. The future is yours.
Marianna
30 January
You love what you do and this proved by your amazing collection. Keep living your dream, you are killing it!!!
Instagram name: marianna.kiriakidou
Marianna
30 January
Such unique pieces with wonderful colours… already loved your work!!
Marianna
30 January
Ah obsessed with all of this! Great job Helen!!
Paige Dabney
30 January
honestly such a cool story. Am so obsessed with your new swim collection with PQ
Marianna
30 January
You’re such an inspiration for all young girls. Congratulations on your new collection, it’s gorgeous
Hannahcotros@gmail.com
30 January
You are such an inspiration to so many including myself! Love this so much 💜
Randi
30 January
Love every single one! They are all so beautiful 😍 congrats on following your dreams and never giving up xo
Eunika
30 January
Amazing ❤️
Swetha
30 January
Love how feminine the patterns look! Specially the lace one in aqua gives a fairytale feel.
Caro
30 January
love it!
Caroline Hollensbe
30 January
I love you and I would loveee a swimsuit❤️❤️!
Morgan
30 January
Obsessed. Insta @moevickk
Mahna Ghafori @maza.travel
30 January
Helen I love these so much!! I’ve been a huge fan of you & your account for years now- always love your smile, spirit, and how much of a go-getter you are! Inspiring to see you followed through your dreams!!
Hope
30 January
So pretty
Savannah Breedlove
30 January
Love these!!!
Gracie Hunt
30 January
Hi! I love you so much your such an inspiration for me and I love filling all of your experiences on your blog and your instagram, also love you new collection!!
Myrtó
30 January
Gorgeous 👙designs and Hawaii what a place🌴🤩
Hanieh
30 January
You look amazing. I just follow your style ever since I started following you in instagram. I have the same body type as you and it gives me idea how to dress.
Concetta DiMatteo
30 January
I love all these outfits! Everything is so cute! Would love the chance to win a free item!!😍
Insta: concettadimatteo
Concetta DiMatteo
30 January
Everything you have is so adorable !! I’m obsessed with all of these! I would love the chance to win a free item from your line!
Madelyn
30 January
Woo hoo!! 👏🏻👏🏻 Great work!
Dominique
30 January
These are all so cute!!! I really love the color block bandeau, the blue halter, the green ruffle.. honestly I love them all! Congrats on making your dream come true ✨
IG: @dominiqueyelle
Emily
30 January
Sooo in love with the Sage one piece!! 😍
Stephanie
30 January
amazing story! God was on your side and you made a name and great brand for yourself ! Xoxo
Celine
30 January
👙