The celebs cashing in on racy bikini lines: from Myleene Klass and Stacey Solomon’s plunge pieces to Kim K’s £3bn thongs
IT’S not often we can group the nation’s sweetheart Myleene Klass in with reality TV billionaire Kim Kardashian.
But the pair – among other celebrities – have been diving into the same side hustle: a personal swimwear line.
The sports and swimwear market worldwide is set to generate eye-watering revenue of nearly £77 BILLION this year, according to Statista.
But a host of famous names have been capitalising on the bikini craze for a good few years now.
In fact, Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS empire alone was valued at £3.1 billion last year, making her a major player in the market.
Swimwear is as much a fashion statement now as any other item of clothing.
Here’s our bikini rich list…
1. Kim Kardashian
After struggling to find supportive underwear and multi-functional swimwear, 43-year-old Kim launched her first SKIMS collection in September 2019.
Back then, it was full bodysuits, bras and shapewear – but she wasted no time diving into the world of swimming.
By March 2021, SKIMS had a full swimwear range that helped scale the company to its mammoth £3.1 BILLION value.
Among the pieces are £48 skimpy triangle bikini tops, £118 lacy swimsuits and £54 micro thongs bedazzled with rhinestones.
2. Myleene Klass
She’s a Klass act for a reason: 46-year-old Myleene Klass was a member of the pop group Hear’Say before she moved into the world of presenting.
And after her famous white bikini jungle shower scene while appearing on I’m A Celeb in 2006, the swimwear deals just kept rolling in.
Now, the mum-of-three has a lucrative partnership with Next which is said to have helped skyrocket her net worth to £13 million between 2015 and 2022.
Among the summer 2024 collection is a £40 floral plunge swimsuit, £40 bandeau “tummy control” one piece and an uber-plunging black swimsuit for £38.
3. Stacey Solomon
X Factor reject turned Loose Women panellist Stacey Solomon, 34, charmed the public by showing her “real” body in a bikini in 2017.
It opened the door for a fruitful partnership with fast fashion label In The Style, with the first collection reportedly making £1.5 million in just one week.
The mum-of-five, who has an estimated net worth of around £5 million, promotes her In The Style swimwear by taking selfies by the pool at her famous £1.3 million mansion, dubbed Pickle Cottage.
Among the racy offerings are £30 plunge swimsuits, £15 halterneck bikini tops and £15 “tummy control” bikini bottoms in leopard print.
4. Arianna Ajtar
She may be recognisable to millions for her role as Olivia Radfield on Coronation Street in 2018 and 2019 – but 28-year-old Arianna Ajtar’s biggest success is her business.
Mars The Label was launched in 2015 with just £3,000 from her dad’s living room in Bolton, but now has a turnover well above £10 MILLION per year.
Arianna calls the brand her “baby” and it even hosted the opening show at Miami Swim Week back in June – something she says she “dreamed of for as long as she can remember”.
Best known for its £42 “fishtail” swimsuit which can be wrapped different ways around the body, Mars The Label also flogs £32 micro-thongs and £37 crochet sets that leave little to the imagination.
5. Khloe Kardashian
Following in her big sister’s footsteps, 40-year-old Khloe Kardashian has her fingers in two swimwear pies.
There’s her own brand, Good American, which is said to be making her over £155 million a year, as well as a recent collaboration with activewear brand, Fabletics.
Good American has over 100 items of swimwear listed on its website, with the most expensive piece being a “whip stitch compression” one-piece for a whopping £145.
Her Fabletics collaboration is marginally cheaper, with swimming costumes costing £84 on average and racy bandeau bikini tops around £44.
Best shops for curvy swimwear
IF you're a curvy girl looking for some new swimwear, look no further..
Some popular stockists to head to when shopping for the best plus-size swimwear include Simply Be, New Look, M&S, and Pour Moi.
Though ASOS, Boohoo and PrettyLittleThing also have an impressive collection to leave you looking a million dollars relaxing poolside.
Not only this, but below are some retailers you won’t want to miss for curvy girl swimwear.
Triumph has a versatile range of swimwear options to shop, across separates, one-pieces and beach cover-ups.
This means shoppers can select a full matching set, or mix and match, to feel stylish when in your swimwear.
There is a specific fuller cup range to shop within swimwear, which not only helps shoppers find their perfect swimsuit but whittles out the other creations for a speedy and fuss-free shopping experience.
River Island may not be the first retailer we think of when on the hunt for the best plus-size swimwear, but they do have a plus-size section to shop and it’s quite impressive.
While the selection is not as vast as other retailers, the section is bold and beautiful, but most importantly, supportive too.
The collection includes bikini tops and briefs, swimsuits, as well as flattering beach cover-ups and dresses to layer over your swimwear.
The plus size swimwear at River Island range in sizes, but fetch up to a UK 26 or 28.
Simply Be is another firm favourite for plus size shoppers to head to as it has stunning pieces, across lingerie and swimwear, to cater to your style, shape and needs.
The swimwear can range up to a UK size 32, which is why Simply Be stands out in a crowd of fashion retailers because you can trust there will be swimwear to hold you in the right places and feel comfortable.
Shoppers can secure separate two-pieces, as well as one-piece swimsuits, cover-ups, and everything in between. Plus, we are impressed with the variety of prints and patterns too.
Pour Moi is a reliable shopping destination for underwear and swimwear, including those shopping for plus-size swimwear or fuller busts with cup sizes going up to a J.
There is a large range of stylish swimwear to shop, including bandeau designs, high-waisted briefs, underwired bras, and much more.
So, rest assured you can find a chic and supportive swimming ensemble to pack for your vacation.
Bravissimo is one of the first retailers that springs to mind when shopping for plus-size fashion, whether it is underwear or swimwear.
At Bravissimo the cups can range up to a J cup, which is extremely rare for many high-street retailers.
The swimwear styles vary from bikinis to tankinis and one-piece swimsuits, but every style is stunning, so you can look and feel good on those day trips to the beach.