Kassia Meador, surf and photography legend, is launching her first KASSIA wetsuit collection for spring/summer 15. It’s dreamy, 70s tie-dye inspired, and “made by mermaids for mermaids”. But don’t be fooled by the reference to mythological sea creatures, KASSIA is all about superior quality and functional design. Plus Kassia’s favourite colour is black, so the trippy tie-dye panels of her wetsuits are juxtaposed with, well, black ones, for a bit of a futuristic high fashion twist.

And renaissance woman Kassia is no stranger to fashion of course, for her style is “an extension of your being, your thoughts, feelings and creativity in a visual language that you wear.” That’s not a surprise considering Kassia’s current main inspiration is the most insanely fashiony of eccentric fashion doyennes, Diana Vreeland, who – as a little old lady who’s never surfed ever – said ‘Oh to be a surfer, between the sky and the water.’ Poetry!

Our editor Sam caught up with Kassia for an exclusive chat:

Hey, so how did this rad new wetsuit brand come about?

I learned so much making wetsuits with Roxy over the past six years. And it was time for a new adventure. I wanted to start creating the wetsuits of my dreams and the time feels ripe. With this project I am going to sacrifice nothing and spare no costs to create the most visually dynamic,  technically functional premium wetsuits I can. For myself and all the other mermaids out there.

What’s the main ethos behind it?

To make a superior wetsuit people can count on, which makes your surf way more cosy and fun.

Who or what inspires you?

Diana Vreeland. The way she puts into words how things feel. And the natural world, my friends and family…

There’s been a lot of change and some would say wackness in women’s surfing of late, but it’s still important to remember that…

Nothing else matters when you’re riding waves. It’s about freedom, empowerment, inspiration, awareness, experience and our connection with the ever powerful sea.

Visit kassiasurf.com