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New beach wear packs UV protection

A West Vancouver-based business owner has launched her first clothing line aimed to make some parents’ lives a little simpler. Lisa Will, founder of Stonz, a children’s footwear company, launched their new premium sunwear line early this March.

A West Vancouver-based business owner has launched her first clothing line aimed to make some parents’ lives a little simpler.

Lisa Will, founder of Stonz, a children’s footwear company, launched their new premium sunwear line early this March.

The UPF clothing line features long sleeve bodysuits, tops and bottoms made out of a polyester and spandex blend that is weaved to block 98 per cent of UV rays.

“Everything I wanted to create, I wanted to make sure solved the problem,” Will said.

“I don’t want to just be another thing, I don’t think there’s room for that. ... What I want to do is really solve issues.”

The international company is known for their slip on booties that Will created in 2004, out of her Ambleside basement.

Since then, their products are now in more than 500 stores and 16 countries worldwide.

On top of the built in UPF, the Sun Suits and Little Kids Tops have a breathable mesh along the sides for quick drying and hot summer days.

All of the clothing have colorful designs with different patterns, are chlorine resistant and have reflective logos for increased visibility. In addition, the Sun Suits have a two way zipper for easy diaper access.

Will said the new line has received good reception because of how different their product is from other sunwear clothing, when it comes to their designs and features.

She added how there’s a huge demand for non-spray UPF wear with the rising awareness of the harmful side effects some sunscreen can cause.

“I don’t think people know that when you buy UPF wear… normally you’re buying a chemically sprayed on protection,” she said. 

“I think (the demand is) going to increase as well, as people find out how sunscreen is not very good for you.

Like her other innovative products, the sunwear line was seeded from her own necessities.

Having a son with red hair and fair skin, Will was in search for an alternative for sunscreen but had a difficult time finding sunwear clothing year-round, that had full coverage and wasn’t a spray on UPF.

“It was created with the desire to cover kids head to toe but also to ensure you can get it year-round, for when people go on holidays,” Will said.

“It was really solving problems that I had to be honest.”

The UPF line was created in mind to keep Stonz a year-round product.

Will said this is the first step towards their goal of launching the next round of summer products, which they’re introducing in the spring of 2019.

“We are getting bigger now that we need all-year-round staff,” she said of the company, which is headquartered in Yaletown.

The sunwear clothing ranges from $36 to $50 and is available online and in North Shore stores such as Active Baby, Crocodile and Mountain Equipment Co-op.