Chromat, the innovative fashion label known for its cutting-edge swimwear designs, is bidding farewell with its spring 2025 collection. After 15 years of pushing boundaries and redefining beauty standards, founder Bex McCharen has announced that this will be the brand’s final collection, at least for the foreseeable future. The decision to close this chapter of Chromat is influenced by various factors, including the post-pandemic economy, the current social and political landscape, and McCharen’s personal journey towards a more trans masculine gender identity.
In a recent interview with Vogue, McCharen reflected on the evolution of Chromat and the challenges they faced in maintaining the brand’s ethos in a rapidly changing world. The pandemic-induced lockdown provided a moment of introspection, prompting McCharen to question the sustainability of launching multiple collections each year. As they navigated the design process for spring 2025, McCharen realized that the garments no longer aligned with their current sense of self. The collection, featuring triangle-top bikinis, high-waist one-pieces, and swim skirts, reflects a more feminine aesthetic that no longer resonates with McCharen’s evolving identity.
Despite closing this chapter of Chromat, McCharen remains committed to their creative pursuits. As an artist in residence at a cancer hospital, they find solace in assisting patients with fine art projects, offering a new perspective on life’s challenges. When not at the hospital, McCharen can be found quilting at a nonprofit studio, exploring a different avenue for their sewing skills. Commissioned quilts have become a passion project, signaling a shift towards a more personal and sustainable approach to creativity.
The spring 2025 collection, a collaboration with artist Tourmaline, embodies the spirit of Chromat with a color palette inspired by Miami’s vibrant queer and trans community. Shades of blue, sandy off-white, and black dominate the collection, which celebrates diversity and inclusivity. Modeled by friends, the final Chromat collection is a testament to McCharen’s creative journey and the brand’s legacy of pushing boundaries in the fashion industry.
As Chromat takes its final bow, McCharen looks ahead to new creative endeavors, embracing a slower pace and a more introspective approach to design. While the future of the brand remains uncertain, the impact of Chromat’s bold and inclusive vision will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the fashion world.
