Jasmin Suayan Baykal is a mother, avid surfer, mental health nurse, and the founder of sustainable swimwear brand, Do Good Swimwear.

Based in California, her brand supports eco-friendly and ethical practices, and provides affordable, sustainably and ethically made swimsuits for every body. Made by surfers and for surfers, their suits aim to put a smile on your face and to last for seasons to come.

I interviewed Jasmin in the Conscious Fashion Collective Membership as part of our Member Spotlight interview series.

Below are some of the highlights:

What it takes to build a sustainable swimwear brand,
The nuances of designing with recycled synthetics,
And the benefits of establishing hyper-local supply chains.

What was the moment you knew you wanted to start Do Good Swimwear?

It wasn’t one big “aha” moment, but more of a slow burn. I’ve always loved the ocean. Once I started surfing, I practically lived in swimwear and loved having a cute swimsuit that fit well. Who doesn’t, right?

But the deeper I got into my own sustainability journey, the more I realized how wasteful the fashion industry was — especially swimwear. I wanted to create pieces that felt good to wear and did some good, too.

I went on a surf trip, and one of the locals had me helping him pick up trash while we were in the water. It got me thinking about what can be done with all that ocean waste. Once I learned about fabrics made from ocean waste that could be made into swimwear, that was it for me.

What is the story behind the name?

It’s pretty simple. I wanted a name that reflected the mission and my motto for life. “Do Good” felt like a simple reminder of what I was going for — whether it’s for the planet, our communities, or ourselves. It’s a call to action, but also a mindset. And I wanted people to feel that every time they put on our swimwear.

We use recycled ocean waste but also give back to communities and ocean conservation nonprofits, so the benefits come back twofold.

What do you wish more people knew about the impacts of the traditional swimwear industry?

That it's super plastic-heavy.

Most swimsuits are made from virgin polyester or nylon, which are fancy names for oil-based plastics. They're resource-intensive to make and nearly impossible to break down once tossed. And because swimwear is small and trend-driven, it’s easy to overconsume and replace it often. People don’t always think that their cute new bikini might outlive them by centuries.

Can you tell us about some of the surprising nuances or challenges in creating sustainable swimwear?

One is definitely sourcing the right fabric. Recycled materials are a step up, but not all are created equal. There are also some new fabrics that I’m interested in that decompose, but I’m still testing those out.

Then there’s the fact that lower impact fabrics behave differently. They can be trickier to sew, stretch, or print. So working with people and manufacturers who know how to work with them can be challenging.

Finally, making sure everything — down to the packaging and tags — aligns with our values. It’s like solving a big puzzle, and the pieces are always moving.

Why is it important for you to balance affordability, quality, and sustainability?

I believe sustainability should be more accessible for the everyday person, not necessarily a luxury. I know what it’s like to want to shop better but be priced out. So I’ve been super intentional about keeping our pricing fair — cutting out traditional retail markups, keeping our team lean, and working directly with local makers.

It may affect our bottom line, but that isn’t the point of it all. I want our customers to feel proud of their purchase and empowered by it.

You work with freelance seamstresses and small manufacturers. Why was it important for you to build a hyper-local supply chain?

I wanted a business model that cares about people just as much as the planet. Working with local seamstresses and small manufacturers means we know exactly who is making our pieces, that they’re being paid fairly, and working in environments that are supportive of them, not only their productivity.

It also cuts down on shipping emissions, supports the local economy, and keeps things more personal.

I love being able to pop into the studio and chat with the women making our swimwear, and it’s also nice when certain things don’t come out quite right and I can have a face-to-face conversation instead of a bunch of back and forth to get the idea right.

What is your response to the narrative that we should avoid using recycled synthetics in sustainably-minded fashion?

We use ECONYL®, which is regenerated nylon made from items like fishing nets and industrial plastic. It’s collected, cleaned, broken down, and reborn into high-quality swimwear fabric. We also use Repreve, which is made from recycled plastic bottles and processed into super comfortable swim fabric.

I understand the concern about recycled synthetics. The reality is, though, that swimwear has to be stretchy, durable, and water-resistant. I experimented with hemp, but it didn’t have the right elasticity. Right now, there’s no natural fiber that fits the bill.

So instead of creating new plastic, we reuse what’s already out there and encourage people to wear their swimwear for a long time.

What is the most effective way to educate customers on the sustainable practices and fashion habits that are at the core of your brand?

Keeping it real and bite-sized. People don’t always have time, or the headspace, to read a deep dive on circular fashion. So I try to weave it into everything — our captions, packaging, emails — like little nuggets of information.

We also talk a lot about “buy less, wear more,” and offer repair incentives so people can keep their swimwear in play longer. When you connect it to values and make it easy to act on, it resonates.

You’re also a mental health nurse practitioner. For you, what are the connections between mental health and finding ways to transform the fashion industry?

So many layers!

First, the fashion industry feeds a lot of unrealistic standards — fast trends, body image pressure, overconsumption — and that affects how we feel about ourselves. I want Do Good Swimwear to be a space that encourages self-respect, respect for the people around us and the world we live in, slowing down, and intentional living.

On a deeper level, I think taking care of the planet and your mental health are intertwined. When we slow down, consume less, and reconnect with what matters, it creates a ripple effect — not only for the environment, but for our mental health too.

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Sustainable Swimwear That Looks Good and Does Good

CFC Member Spotlight: Jasmin Suayan Baykal of Do Good Swimwear