Leopine: A Swimwear Brand Created by Three Watch Lovers for Watch Lovers

Leopine is a story about how three watch collectors started a swimwear brand to celebrate their passion for horology – notwithstanding a few jabs at unscrupulous ADs and non-existent waiting lists. But all in good fun, and all in the brightest colours imaginable.

Here, we speak with one of the co-founders, Yen Rodeiro, on bringing his creativity to Leopine, and the bright inspirations behind the brand’s newest Summer 2024 Collection.

What is the backstory of Leopine? What motivated you to start your brand?

Leopine was the spin-off of a previous project related to watches, a website we started in 2007 called tiempodelujo.com. The idea behind the brand was to bring a new proposal to a very boring industry that lacked new ideas.

What was your background before you started Leopine, and where did your passion for watches stem from?

The founders came from three different areas: fashion design, IT, and business administration. Alfredo Chimes, he worked for an important Watch AD in Spain; Denise Amorim, who already had a passion for watchmaking since she was little. She even had a more than interesting Swatch collection; and myself Yen Rodeiro, my grandfather was the one who instilled in me my passion for watches.

What does Leopine stand for?

Leopine represents the joyful, uncompromised part of the industry. We like to be elegant and colorful but somehow sarcastic at the same time with our concepts.

What was your first design that really helped push your brand on the map?

The first item, Gentalover swimwear, was a true success, though we had a lot of logistic and production issues. We had no idea about e-commerce in the way it’s broadly understood nowadays. That was a time when Instagram was super helpful and easy to reach your audience.

Do you have an all-time favourite design that you’ve done?

That’s difficult because every design is a part of your moment, but the most successful item was a swimwear called the Tutti Frutty. That swimwear was a blockbuster like we never saw before. For sure, one of our most interesting designs.

Tell us about the design process and how you’re inspired for each new collection?

Every time it gets more and more difficult because we’ve touched on a lot of subjects. Mainly, the idea is to find a concept, and then we develop an atmosphere around it.

What is the design for the 2024 Summer Collection inspired by?

This summer, our collection is inspired by the vibrant undersea world and the exciting elements of racing chronos. We’ve incorporated bold colors and unique prints featuring crabs, lobsters, and shrimps, transforming marine species into iconic watch designs. This celebrates the intersection of horology and aquatic life. Additionally, we pay homage to the enduring relationship between cars and watches, capturing the spirit of motorsport in our designs.

You started with swimwear for men and then kids. Why haven’t you designed for ladies yet?

We have already designed a sarong/pareo! The interesting part is that our designer is a woman, and she always states the difficulty behind designing for girls. It’s not only about prints but also about forms, with plenty of different options depending on each body. That’s a point we will solve very soon.

In your opinion, what is the best summer watch?

A watch that is waterproof, colorful, and sporty, something between a Rolex Oyster Perpetual and a Patek Aquanaut.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs looking to turn passion into a business?

Turning your passion into a business requires a lot of dedication and resilience. First, make sure you deeply understand the industry you’re entering. Research extensively and be ready to adapt quickly as things evolve. Don’t be afraid to take risks, but always have a well-thought-out plan. Finally, stay true to your vision and values. Your unique perspective is what will set you apart in the market. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination.