Ilona Hamer's
Summer Vacation

> Summer Vacation

To mark the arrival of new season styles and colours from Matteau Swim's Resort collection, The UNDONE asked co-founder and stylist Ilona Hamer about her recent Summer vacation in Italy and how to handle the heat.

Ilona Hamer The UNDONE Matteau Swim

QUESTION ONE: What is your favourite Summer holiday memory? 

We used to go to Jervis Bay every Summer when I was young, I have really warm vivid memories of riding our bikes around the town, eating fish and chips, swimming in the clearest water and looking for hermit crabs on the beach.

I also had one of the most wonderful Summer holidays a few years ago - we went to the South of France for Elise Pioch's wedding (from Maison Balzac) and then a big group from the wedding all drove to Cadaques in the North of Spain for a week. We spent it eating fresh seafood, swimming off boats and drinking rose and campari like it was water. It will be a hard one to beat. 

Ilona Hamer The UNDONE Matteau Swim

QUESTION TWO: If you had to pick one place to go every Summer where would that be? 

Sydney, Australia! There is nowhere else in the world like it and Summer just isn't Summer to me without lazy days spent swimming at Clovelly, Bronte or Bondi. 

Ilona Hamer The UNDONE Matteau Swim

QUESTION THREE: Best Summer beauty tip? 

Sunscreen! And Moisturiser!

For evening nothing beats organic scented body oil - I love Coqui Coqui's Rosas Frescas. That scent will forever remind me of our Resort shoot in Tulum - We all bought a bottle home with us. I also always have organic coconut oil close to hand. 

Ilona Hamer The UNDONE Matteau Swim

QUESTION FOUR: What would be your tip for maintaining style in the heat? 

Simple, comfortable pieces in natural fabrics are key. I love a mens black linen shirt as a cover up, or even a great mens black t-shirt as a LBD. 

Great sandals from K Jacques St Tropez and I always wear my jewellery when swimming. I love hearing my necklace jingling when I am swimming underwater and the glimmer of diamonds in my wedding band wet from a swim under the afternoon sun. 

And after a long hot day at the beach, my best tip is to slick your hair back in a low centre part bun with a little sunscreen for shine. 

Ilona Hamer The UNDONE Matteau Swim

QUESTION FIVE: Best book recommendation for a Summer Vacation? 

I just read The Girls by Emma Cline by the pool of Masseria Moroseta in Puglia! I got through it in just under a day it was brilliant. 

 Ilona Hamer The UNDONE Matteau Swim

All images supplied by Ilona from her recent holiday in Spain.