THE JOURNAL
In all likelihood, Onia will be familiar to you from your holiday photos. Since its launch in 2009, Onia has produced the kind of light, versatile and tailored apparel that travels extremely well. As a result, it has become essential vacation packing. But in recent years the New York-based label has become about more than just a go-to for hot weather holidays but smart, functional style whatever your destination.
Onia’s own journey began when founders Messrs Carl Cunow and Nathan Romano, who were working in design and sales respectively, decided to team up. “Nathan and I were travelling, and we saw there was a huge void in the market for this for a basic well crafted, well-made swimsuit that can serve as a functional short as well,” recalls Cunow.
Mr Nathan Romano
Mr Carl Cunow
The brand launched with two swim shorts that emphasised style and functionality; swimwear that could take you from beach to waterside dinner reservation. Since then, Onia has evolved to include wider resortwear, wardrobe staples and accessories, all of which are created with the wearer’s ease in mind. “We always tend to create product that’s always at the foundation of your wardrobe being focused on quality, fit and function,” says Romano. “But with that, in mind how do we make things versatile? How do we make things that are practical?”
“We always tend to create product that’s always at the foundation of your wardrobe being focused on quality, fit and function”
This through line remains as evident in its swimwear as ever. The Charles mid-length swim short – one of several Onia x MR PORTER exclusives – is a classic brand statement, coming as it does in a range of breezy nautical prints in quick drying and lightweight stretch-nylon. The material, as always is key: “We’re very, very focused on how fabric influences the actual function of what someone’s going to use it for,” says Cunow.
In this way, Onia journies with its customer. This has also meant that the brand is evolving as our travel experiences have. One aspect of this stems from men’s desire to “pack lightwear more” says Romano, necessitating hybrid products for hybrid uses. This has also led Onia to consider the brand’s own trajectory. Travel has changed dramatically in recent times, and Onia’s newest menswear collection finds the brand in different territory.
This year’s autumn collection marks a significant step change, introducing a functional selection of elevated wardrobe essentials in cold weather fabrics. The mode is still holiday in some respects: the smart polar fleece, warm flannel shirts and cosy Sherpa jackets are perfect to pack for a weekend in Aspen. Other styles – from cashmere joggers and terry sweatshirts – are geared towards a leisurely break, in say the Hamptons or simply if you’re spending the week WFH, where you may not be journeying any further than your laptop and the local park.
“A lot of people are now remote working so they’re not necessarily the office every day, but they want to look good, they want to feel good,” says Romano. “What Onia products offer is tailored towards looking smart but being comfortable.”
So, whether you’re heading somewhere hot, cold or simply hanging out at home this season, Onia remains the perfect companion.