What She Wore: Maya Gabeira’s XXL Awards Gucci Swimsuit Ensemble

When it comes to fashion in surfing, the WSL Big Wave Awards are our Razzie’s.

Watching the world’s best male surfers dress up once a year for the WSL banquet on the Gold Coast is bad enough. (What have the men got against suits that fit, and a pair of brogues?)

But the gentry who spend their years chasing red blobs around the globe with minimal backing, well, let’s just say that they clearly value their energy drink sponsors more than looking good.

Not the women though, they (nearly) always look great, although going from wetsuits and coloured rashies to heels and gowns can be a bit of a shock—for athletes and spectators alike.

If you’ve been paying attention to the goings on of the WSL Big Wave Awards—and you’re completely forgiven if you haven’t—then here’s what light research might reveal:

Some guy I’ve never heard of won the top prize for a (very, very big)Naz burger.

And, as you’ll notice above, Maya Gabeira looked unbelievable in all Gucci.

I slid into Maya’s DMs to try and get the low down on her bold get up, but grew impatient—I’ve always thought I could hold my own at Cosmo, and did a little snooping.

The red shell, the centrepiece of the outfit, is the Net Jacket with Magnetismo Stripe, part of Gucci’s Spring/Summer range. The little 80s throwback and will set you back just shy of two grand US.

Under the shell we see a delightfully re-appropriated Gucci one-piece swimsuit that you can pick up on Net-A-Porter for $500.

The pants are a little harder to come across, but eventually reveal themselves to be the Web Side Bands Techno Jersey Leggings in Pink, which are from a few seasons ago, and presumably the result of a run to the Gucci LA storeroom.

Finally, the shoes are another new offering from Gucci, the Leather Pump with Crystal Stripe  which’ll cost you $1300 from the Gucci site.

So what have we learned?

Well, Gucci really needs to hire a copywriter, for one.

And that Maya’s clearly got a hell of a manager.

But mainly that you don’t have to don a ball gown to attend a surfing awards show—in fact it’s probably better if you don’t. Maya’s carved out quite the career for herself, away from the traditional route of professional female surfing. And she’s done it by side-stepping the traditional tip sponsor method.

Realizing that a beautiful woman who’s not intimidated by large surf is rather appealing to the general public, Maya’s notched up Tag Heuer, Mitsubishi, Red Bull and countless others as financial backers at various points.

It’s the sponsorship model of the future. Rather than signing your life away to one company that subsequently owns your image, and squirreling your monthly pay check away, why not take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way while you’re still relevant?

Judging from the last few posts on Maya’s IG, the perks include: travelling the world in absolute style, and free sweeps at the Gucci warehouse. 

Is that a Gucci one-piece under all that?