Sundek
 | This article contains promotional content. (August 2025) |
| Formerly | Sun‑Dek (1940s) |
|---|---|
| Type | Privately held company |
| Industry | Fashion, surfwear |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Headquarters | Campi Bisenzio, Tuscany, Italy |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Tiziano Sgarbi (Owner, since 2020) |
| Products | Swimwear, boardshorts, beachwear, apparel, accessories |
Number of employees | 50–100 |
| Website | sundek |
Sundek is an international surfwear and beachwear brand founded in 1958 in San Francisco, California.[1] Originally launched under the name Sun‑Dek in the late 1940s, the company pioneered quick‑dry nylon swim trunks for surfers. Today, Sundek designs and distributes apparel and accessories for men, women, and children through its own retail stores, distributors, multibrand retailers, and e-commerce platforms.[2][3]
History
[edit]Sundek was founded in San Francisco in 1958.[4] It becomes one of the first dedicated surfwear brands, innovating nylon swim trunks tailored to the needs of surfers.[5][6][7]
During the 1960s, Sundek expanded its reach to Hawaii and the US East Coast and began sponsoring surfers, embedding itself in surf culture.[8] In 1972, the company introduced its signature "Rainbow" boardshorts—model M504BDTA100—with triple‑stitched quick‑dry nylon fabric and colorful curved stripes.[9]
By the mid‑1990s Sundek had established a strong presence in Europe.[10] Around 2010, the brand experienced a revival in Italy, where its fashion‑forward approach to beachwear attracted a new following.[5] In 2020, Italian entrepreneurs Simona Barbieri and Tiziano Sgarbi acquired Sundek and led a comprehensive relaunch.[11][12] Under their ownership, the brand expanded into over 1,500 multi‑brand retailers and opened 21 standalone stores across Italy, with additional outlets in France, Spain, the United States, and Kuwait.[13][3]
Activities
[edit]Sundek designs and manufactures swimwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and children. Its product range includes boardshorts, walkshorts, t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, dresses, skirts, and accessories such as hats and towels.[14][15][16][17][18]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Best Swim Trunks for Men: 8 Options for Getting Wet and Wild". Time. 3 July 2023. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ Longhin, Diego (17 April 2025). "I costumi da bagno Sundek nel mirino di BasicNet". la Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- 1 2 Bottero, Giuseppe (21 April 2025). "I costumi Sundek, gli investimenti dell'industria, Bialetti e Jeff Bezos". La Stampa (in Italian). Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ Tschorn, Adam (26 May 2011). "Sundeks are back in U.S. stores and not just for surfers". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- 1 2 "Sundeks men's swimwear: Slim, trim and hip again". Los Angeles Times. 22 May 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ Amelinckx, Andrew. "The 14 best swim briefs for men". Business Insider. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "Sundek x Neil Barrett Collection". Hypebeast. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "Nacidos para surfear". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 11 June 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ Pask, Bruce (11 July 2008). "Feeling For... Sundek Board Shorts". T Magazine. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "Shorter Men's Swim Trunks". Wall Street Journal. 13 May 2011. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ Longhin, Diego (17 April 2025). "I costumi da bagno Sundek nel mirino di BasicNet". la Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "Diventano italiani i costumi californiani Sundek: lo shopping". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 1 April 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "Costumi da bagno uomo 2020: i migliori boxer per un'estate a tutto colore". Style (in Italian). Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "Sundek Swimwear". www.farfetch.com. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "Bloomingdales Sundek". bloomingdales.com. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "Cosa portare in vacanza al mare: la guida per sapere cosa mettere in valigia". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 28 June 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "Costumi last minute: boxer stampati o tinta unita? I modelli più cool". Style (in Italian). Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "The Timeless Appeal of Abbreviated Swim Shorts (Published 2016)". 24 October 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2025.