Sunuva co-founders, Emily and Sarbrina with their children.
StyleNest took five minutes out with mum, businesswomen and co-founder of kid’s swimwear brand Sunuva, Emily Cohen.
After their children recognised each other from nursery in the hotel pool on holiday, Emily Cohen and Sabrina Nagger become firm friends. Together the ladies launched, Sunuva, a kid’s swimwear and beach wear brand that specialises in sun protected, stylish pieces for boys, girls and babies.
We caught up with Sunuva’s Emily Cohen to find out all about the brand that’s a firm favourite with the likes of Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow, her top tips for staying safe in the sun and how she juggles business with motherhood.
Tell us about your children’s swimwear brand, Sunuva?
Sunuva is a super chic collection of swimwear and beach wear for kids ranging from baby to teens in lovely colours and prints, and all with UPF50 protection.
You launched the brand with your friend and now business partner, Sabrina. Tell us how did that happen?
Our kids were at nursery school together and recognised each other in the pool while we were both on holiday at the same hotel. It was actually the kids who introduced us.
Where did the idea to launch Sunuva come from?
When my son was two he was very pale. We were due to go on holiday to Crete and it was boiling hot, so I needed to put him in a sun protected rash vest. I couldn’t believe how awful all the rash vests on offer were. Terrible colours, adorned with Disney characters – really not a good look. The more I looked the more I realised there was a gap in the market for stylish UV swimwear for kids. That’s how it all started.
What are your top tips for ensuring children are protected from the sun, on the beach and by the pool?
Always use a rash vest with UPF 50, especially between 11am and 3pm. Make sure all exposed skin is covered with a good waterproof sunscreen and have an umbrella up by your chair or lounger so the kids can have a lie down in the shade.
Tell us about the latest Sunuva collection and what styles we can expect to see.
Fabulous colours like hot coral, fluro pinks, romantic florals and sorbet shades for girls, adorned with cute prints like carousels, paisleys, ditsy florals and stars. Boys have funky fluros too, scuba tanks, orange jelly fish, bright blue Chinese carp, crisp nauticals and many more.
Between yourself and Sabrina you have six children. What do they think of the range?
My kids absolutely love Sunuva. They always make sure they are fully matching with rash vests and coordinating shorts or bikinis. They are constantly on a Sunuva alert and love spotting kids on holiday wearing the brand.
Victoria Beckham, Madonnna and Gwyneth Paltrow have all dressed their little ones in Sunuva. Did you ever think the brand would have such global success when you first started?
I think the concept of Sunuva really works. More and more mothers are realising the importance of protecting kids from the sun but don’t want to compromise on style.
Sunuva SS13 Collection
A reliable nanny, my Blackberry and the fact that my office is only a 10 min drive to school. I can easily drop off the kids and pick them up again. It is a juggle but I am happy with my work/life balance.
You also founded cosmetics brand Pout and developed the TOPSHOP makeup range. Would you class yourself as a beauty junkie?
I’m really not, I just love the journey of creating and developing brands.
What are your top 3 must-have beauty products?
It would have to be Rodial Multi Glam Balm, Pout Illuminator and a good bronzer which is not too shimmery, like the Laura Mercier one I’m currently using.
What are your beach bag must-haves?
I always use my gorgeous vintage patchwork beach bag and fill it with a good book – I’m currently reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, my camera and a dry bikini.
Will you and the family be escaping the British weather for some sun this summer?
Yes we’ll all be heading to Tel Aviv this spring, and I can’t wait to feel some sunshine on my skin.
How would you describe your own personal style?
Very casual, relaxed, and always comfortable.
What’s next for Sunuva?
We’ve got plans to launch more baby products, a collection for early teens and hopefully a stand-alone store.