Angelique Delaney is the head designer for the Australian Sea Level brand and has been since the label was launched in 2021. The brand has had rapid success both in its domestic market and abroad in its short lifespan. Pamela Scott caught up with Ange in Paris last month.
Life before Sea Level?
Swimwear has been my whole career! After I left college I did print design and was then heading swim design at a number of companies up until I founded a women’s surfing label (Starlet International) which was really successful for a long time. More recently I worked with Sunseeker right up until COVID came and in summer 2021 I joined Sea Level (which is part of the Bond-eye Group) right at the beginning of its inception. I have always been in the branded swimwear business and I do understand branding and how to make it work from a design point of view. My handwriting over the years was rooted in commerciality – swimwear has to perform for us and not just as fashion. Australian consumers are the harshest critics of swimwear – we spend a lot of time in swimwear!
A Typical Week?
I live south of Sydney right on the coast and although I work full-time for the company, I spend an average 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home. Besides print and colour designing, I need to be in the office to get feedback from the sales team – it is really important to show them that I am listening as they are the ones who deal directly with our retail customers and to make sure we are relevant in the market.
The Best Thing about your job?
It will always be an email or message from a customer saying that the swimwear is the best thing they have ever worn – this is what gives you real gratification in working life. Otherwise we have a great team and we do everything from sourcing and vetting suppliers to ensure they can meet the standards we need and deliver on their promises. Over and above the people in the swimwear industry from buyers right through to sales people and designers are a great bunch.
Veridian twist halterneck in ruby (Resort 2025-2026)
Whom do you admire in the swimwear industry?
I do admire Daniela Ciano at Poolside Paradiso.
If you were not working in this industry, what do you think you would be doing instead?
I would be unemployed! I do not know how to do anything else….
What do you think you will be doing in 10 years’ time?
Still working as I am 56 at the moment and not due to retire for another 10 years at least!
Life Outside Work?
I live in south Sydney, literally 100 metres from the coast. I walk my dog every day, have 2 children and really I live a typical coastal Australian lifestyle in a small coastal town – we walk around with no shoes on when we go to the shopping centre and indeed wear our swimwear from first thing in the morning until late at night.
Your proudest moment to date?
I cannot think of it as a moment – I am just happy to be doing what I love and am passionate about and still being relevant in this industry so many years on. I am someone who really does not think in a negative way – I don’t over think mistakes but move on – an eternal optimist I guess.
The one product you cannot live without?
My swimsuit.
Tessara (Resort 2025-2026)
Time Out?
Besides my quite laid back day to day life I love to travel and am just back from Bali. I am a country girl at heart and happiest at home or holidaying in Indonesia or Bali.
Pet Hate?
I hate negativity in any form. It is my biggest bugbear.
SeaLevel will be on show at the Wonderland Show this weekend (13-15 July 2025).
