How it began...

Barefootbanditz was founded by Katie Gallagher in 2016. Katie grew up in a little beach-side village called Sumner. It was here where she truly found her love of the ocean by playing at the beach at every opportunity she could!

Katie then followed her brother by joining the yacht club and learned how to sail. As an 8 year old being able to sail and driving a boat was the best feeling in the world! Dreaming of pirates, mermaids and adventurers! You’re never too old to use your imagination! Surfing came soon after sailing and she loved it immediately.

You could always find Katie op shopping and dressing up for any occasion that she could! Katie always found there was a gap in the market for good quality, practical, sexy, fashionable swimwear for girls who may have bigger tops than bottoms. Being comfortable is key while still looking good.

Katie’s love of travel really opened her eyes to fashion all over the world, especially in Bali, which is Katie’s happy paradise and her home away from home. She noticed how they often had a lot less than we are used to, yet were so happy in their lives. Family was the most important aspect of life for them (something us westerners could learn a from!).

Katie meet her partner, Jay, on her first trip to Bali and has not stopped going since. It took 6 months for Katie to find the right people and place for her swimwear to be produced and now is supporting two beautiful families over there, working together to create her Barefootbanditz swimwear. All designs start from Katie’s hand-drawn pictures which get made up into patterns, then into samples and finally the final swimsuit. All patterns for Barefootbanditz fabrics are also designed by Katie making her brand truly unique.

Only leave footprints...

The 2018 collection is based on a 70’s sun umbrella Katie bought from an op-shop and the surf board cover that she was gifted from her brother many years ago which made from recycled retro curtains. This collection is truly unique and Katie wouldn’t have it any other way.

"A life in colour is always brighter"