Summer exposure

Tulsa-based Zinke designs takes the edge off swimsuit season

When summer hits, we women prepare to enter the world in practically nothing more than our underwear. There are few moments more emotionally charged than that inevitable day when it’s time to stand in front of a dressing-room mirror, a half-dozen bathing suits dangling, tags still on, from the back of the door. 

Whether it is a moment of anguish, celebration, or something in between, it’s a moment of reckoning. Any successful bathing suit designer must not only understand this moment but design for it. Who better than a lingerie-turned-swimwear designer to help us navigate the waters? 

Sisters Arin Zinke Robinson and Jessie Zinke, founders of Zinke, a fashion-forward intimates and swimwear label, offer suits for young women that are pretty, a little sexy, and a lot of classy. 

Arin Robinson was planning events at her own Zinke Designs when Jessie graduated from Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in LA. With Arin’s business and management know-how and Jessie’s connections, artistic vision, and sketches for a new lingerie line, the two partnered and launched Zinke Intimates in 2010. The resulting collaboration was a fun and flirty lingerie collection, plus the foundation for expansion into other markets, including the swimwear collection launched under the Zinke label in 2012.  

This season’s collection springs from a palette of beachy pastels, contrasted by some black-and-white, graphics, multi-colored chevrons, and a jewel-toned paisley. Separates include bandeaus, ruffled tops, hip-hugger bottoms, a few structured bustier options, one-piece maillots with plunging necklines and high-waisted bottoms, and peplum waists to flatter. The options are classy, not frumpy. They lend a casual sexiness that isn’t overt. 

Arin and Jessie are bold, like their signature chevron pattern, designed by Jessie and incorporated into Zinke swimsuits and coverups. “We had many requests from our current clients to add swimwear to the line. I was excited to start designing swimwear—who doesn’t want to think about summer year round?” Jessie said. 

Anthropologie picked up the Zinke intimates line in 2010, resulting in subsequent retail partnerships with Urban Outfitters and Free People. Soon after, Arin and Jessie moved the company to New York. Jessie oversees all production and design from NYC; Arin stayed in Tulsa to still oversee marketing, sales, and distribution. The high-profile retail and online outlets they’ve amassed have given the pair the confidence and encouragement to keep pushing into other markets, such as clothing and accessories. Zinke’s retail reach has expanded to include Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Shopbop, as well as the Zinke-owned shopzinke.com. 

“Swim sales forced us to reorganize our distribution in an effort to handle the future demand. Now we are focusing on marketing efforts to maximize shopzinke.com sales. We are confident that online sales is the future of apparel retail,” said Arin.

If Jessie is having a good time living and working in the big City, it’s coming through in her designs. The result has been swimwear that’s young, fun, and without trying too hard—just like summer fun should be.