Model, podcaster and body‑confidence campaigner Rachel Peru has launched her first swimwear, placing under-represented women in the spotlight while challenging unrealistic beauty standards.
Rachel, 56, is best known for her modelling career, her chart‑topping podcast Liberté ~ Free to Be, and her work to campaign for fairer representation of midlife women, including co-founded the AWWA campaign alongside Tina Boden. Her own journey has been anything but conventional, and since entering the modelling industry in her mid‑forties, she’s worked with major brands alongside global big-hitters, including Lizzo and Ashley Graham. Her industry knowledge, gained from working with many high-street brands, plus the work she does as a body confidence speaker and campaigner, has inspired her to design swimwear that offers more choice and confidence for fuller busted women of all ages.
“My work is driven by a determination to place women over 40 in the spotlight, and a refusal to conform to unrealistic standards whether it’s age, appearance, or size,” says Rachel. “No matter where we are or what we’re doing, we should feel strong, supported and unapologetically ourselves, not hidden away.
Swimwear is no exception, I want women to feel confident, not self-conscious wearing swimwear.”
The Liberté ~ Free to Be range will focus on timeless designs, supportive premium fabrics, inclusive sizing, and styles created specifically with fuller busted women in mind. All marketing will feature a diverse mix of women over 40.
Each suit will be named after an iconic woman, with none less important than Rachel’s own mum Glenda. “I still have my mum’s swimsuit from the 70s, in fact its timelessness inspired my first design”, she says: “This is another way to put amazing women like her in the spotlight.”
“This first swimsuit is incredibly personal to me”, continues Rachel. “Even the 24k gold-plated buckle on each suit is meaningful – it’s a feather, which for me symbolises letting go, and a feeling of lightness. Exactly how we should feel when swimming!”. I am self-funded and starting small but the main thing is I’ve started and I’m excited to see the collection grow over time.
£1 from every swimsuit sold will go straight to Smart Works Yorkshire, which supports unemployed women to get the coaching, clothing and confidence they need to secure employment.
What’s next
Alongside developing her swimwear range, Rachel continues to grow her podcast, speak at women’s events across Yorkshire and the UK, and collaborate with brands committed to challenging stereotypes and increasing representation, which is why the AWWA- Accepting Who We Are is so aligned with everything Rachel stands for.
About Rachel Peru
Rachel Peru is a silver‑haired model, podcaster and midlife campaigner based in North Yorkshire. She’s known for her work to promote body positivity, age inclusivity, and representation in fashion and media. Her podcast, Liberté – Free to Be features midlife women who are breaking stereotypes, following their dreams, and redefining confidence at any age. It’s featured over 160 guests, reached the top 2% of global podcasts, and been listened to in 97 countries.
Follow Rachel at Liberté Free to Be and on Facebook and Instagram
Images supplied
