• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

House of ZZ Creates Sustainable and Eco-Focused Swimwear

October 26, 2020 by Brittany Ballard 1 Comment

woman wearing black one-piece swimsuit
Patricia Zajacova shot by Michael Pennick (@therawinstinct) / wearing the Violetta one piece

One of my favorite things about Austin is that there is an almost never ending list of activities to do and events to attend. At the top of that list of activities are all the things that allow one to splash into some water-filled fun: swimming in Barton Springs, paddleboarding in Lady Bird Lake, or even heading out to San Marcos to float the river. Anything to get some relief from the Texas summer heat, right?

And when you’re swimming, you’re going to need something to wear into the water. Enter House of ZZ. They are a local brand that sells sustainable swimwear for women – so you can feel and look fabulous while out in the water.

Diving Into New Adventures

woman wearing blue bikini
Polina Volynets shot by Sean Neil / wearing the Anniston x Murphy set

Owners Morgan and Michael Rizzuti started their careers in fields much different from where they’ve ended up. They both attended the University of Texas in history and engineering, respectively. While their educational journey didn’t teach them the inner workings of running and operating a business, there was something about Austin’s creative pull that made them realize that this was the place for them to start House of ZZ.

Morgan initially joined the corporate world after finishing college at UT. Over time, she knew that she wanted to leave her corporate job for something more, but wasn’t sure what the future held for her. It was her love of water that eventually inspired her to look into starting a swimwear brand. She had no design experience at the time, but wasn’t going to let that stop her. Morgan loves the power a good outfit – or bikini – has on a person and wanted to share that feeling with the world. 

A Focus On Sustainability and Fair Trade

While a love of water was a big part of the business idea, the other reason that Morgan and Michael decided to dive into House of ZZ was the sustainability aspect that they could incorporate. Their initial research on manufacturers and fabric suppliers opened up a whole new world to them. They learned about the (non-)sustainability practices being used in the fashion industry. So instead of using nylon and contributing to all the pre and post-consumer materials that find their way into the ocean and landfills, House of ZZ is using recycled materials to create their bikinis. Their fabrics are derived from industrial plastics, unused fabric scraps, fishing nets, and more – which also results in a stronger, higher quality material. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HOUSE OF ZZ Swimwear (@houseofzz__) on Oct 8, 2020 at 4:00pm PDT

But Morgan and Michael didn’t want to just focus on sustainable products. They planned to work with an overseas manufacturer and wanted to ensure that they found an ethical facility that cared about the employees who worked for them. After doing the research, they made the trip overseas to visit the facility they’d chosen. They learned that not only was this facility the right choice, but it was also more transparent than the U.S. companies they had considered. The bonus perk about the facility they had chosen? Their manufacturers donate a percentage of profits back to ocean conservation initiatives. 

“All of this comes with a price, of course, but I’m not doing this because it’s easy. It’s hard, more time intensive, and significantly more expensive,” Morgan said. “But I don’t care. Making a quick buck isn’t the point. Doing something bigger than ourselves is.” 

Now that’s a brand message that we can all stand behind.

Behind the Design

Miranda Harrison shot by Carianne Older (@peggyshootsfilm) / wearing the Shaw one piece

House of ZZ draws its inspirations from a multitude of things: places that Morgan and Michael have traveled, swimwear and models from the 80s and 90s, and current trends from influencers. But whether they are worn on a casual day out or a fun vacation to the beach, all House of ZZ pieces are made with one intention in mind: to make the wearer feel good about themselves. 

As Morgan explains, none of the suits are worn to cover up bumps or curves or what people misdefine as “flaws.” The female body is like a piece of art. Morgan loves to show it off and complement and accentuate every square inch. All bodies are beautiful and she wants her customers to feel that way when they wear her swimwear. 

The 2020 collection includes both bikinis and one pieces. They feature colors like black, white, bronze, and Maya blue as well as a cute floral print called Orange Blossom. 

Tackling Challenges Together

Launching is an adventure within itself, but to do so during a pandemic is a whole new battle. Morgan and Michael have been able to face these challenges together while providing support to one another. This means that arguments over bikinis might happen in the kitchen every now and then. But it also means that they have each other’s backs when talking strategy and operations. The Rizzutis understand that they cannot ignore any business-related problems. They are open about providing feedback to each other and accepting constructive criticism.

One of the big challenges that they’ve had to face is learning to take advice from others with a grain of salt. As any new business owner will find out, there will be many people that decide to share their ideas of how you should operate or what you should do with your business. The Rizzutis learned over time that following the advice of others – no matter how experienced they were – can sometimes lead to wasted time and money spent on something that just doesn’t work for your business. 

“Soak it all up like a sponge,” Morgan shared with me, “but take it with a grain of salt. Trust your gut – always. Most of the time, it’s probably right.”

From providing an engineer a ton of bikini knowledge to giving a corporate employee the satisfaction of starting her own business based on her passion, the House of ZZ has been quite an adventure for the Rizzutis. I, for one, can’t wait to see what comes next.

Learn more about House of ZZ and shop their bikinis on their website.


@theAustinot wants to know:

What’s your favorite water activity in Austin?

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Troy Herman
Troy Herman
1 year ago

Great company and really enjoy their products. Happy you were able to bring attention to them as a good local company.

0
Reply

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin this week | martin luther king day austin - MLK Jr Service Week

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of January 16, 2023 include MLK Day Food Drive, UMLAUF After Dark: Lunar New Year, and more!

Things to do in Austin this weekend with kids | KIds Night Out at Anderson Mill

Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 13, 2023 include Kids Night Out, Comedy Match Live, and more!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 13, 2023, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Kids Night Out – Movie Star Party, Comedy Match Live ComedySportz Austin, Second Saturdays are […]

Things to do in Austin this weekend | Crafting Workshop: Intro to Alcohol Inks

10 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of January 13, 2023 include Crafting Workshop: Intro to Alcohol Inks, Warehouse District 10k, and More!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Austin this Weekend of January 13 which include Crafting Workshop: Intro to Alcohol Inks, Warehouse District 10k, Off Script!, and more! Whether you’re planning a date or having fun with friends, these events and things to do in Austin this weekend may be right for you. Deal Alert […]

Austin’s New Year: Fireworks from Afar

Austin New Years Eve 2023 fireworks guide – NYE party start time, entertainment line up, parking tips & more!

Are you ready to say goodbye to 2022? What better way to ring in the New Year than with fireworks at Austin’s biggest and official New Year party! This beloved, annual Austin event draws thousands of people including locals as well as visitors from neighboring towns in the Central Texas area. If you are googling […]

Johnson City Christmas Lights Spectacular 2022 - What to expect at this lighting event in Texas

Johnson City Christmas Lights Spectacular 2022 – A beloved Texas lighting event!

Come one, come all to celebrate the Johnson City Lights Spectacular 33rd Season! Johnson City is an area close to Fredericksburg, TX. Every Christmas holiday for the last 33 years, Johnson City transforms from a slow-paced, presidential hometown nestled on the banks of the Pedernales River, into a bright beacon of light — like a […]

Recent Posts

  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of January 16, 2023 include MLK Day Food Drive, UMLAUF After Dark: Lunar New Year, and more!
  • Romantic Restaurants Austin – Top 10 best date night restaurants near you
  • Healthy Food Austin – Your comprehensive guide to health friendly restaurants, cafes, and more!
  • MLK Austin Texas – Your Guide to Martin Luther King Weekend 2023 Activities, Events, and Celebrations!
  • Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 13, 2023 include Kids Night Out, Comedy Match Live, and more!

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • Guide to Bat Season in Austin
  • Romantic Restaurants Austin – Top 10 best date night restaurants near you
  • Guide to Austin’s Dirty Sixth Street
  • Guide to Austin’s Nightlife Districts for Bachelor Party Planners
  • Dance the Night Away With Austin’s Top Cover Bands

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

wpDiscuz