U&I Label X CAIT MIERS

Our latest collection is inspired by an all round water woman who lives her dreams behind the lens. Collection muse Cait Miers has broken down the barriers for women in surf photography, and at just 28 has paved an inspiring path travelling the globe shooting everything from WSL events to the world's most remote breaks.

A true embodiment of the U&I woman, Cait’s passion lies in inspiring women to be themselves, to embrace their femininity and live with purpose. 

Lover of fine red wine and sangria on a sunny day, it’s fitting that we have teamed up to release our new After the Rain colourway “Merlot” together for Summer 21. We caught up with Cait to find out where her journey began, and you'll find some of her stunning imagery alongside our latest release.

What’s your earliest memory of the ocean? 
I moved from Melbourne to Mt Martha when I was 3, so I remember some pretty early memories of being at Mt Martha beach with my family back in the day!

Is there a defining moment that started your quest to chase your photography dreams?
I think it was a build up of multiple moments. From the daydreaming 16 year old kid I was that didn’t want a mundane job, to getting really inspired by successful athletes, surfers, business women in my early 20’s that made me want to chase after my passion. I knew I always wanted to live a fulfilling life doing what I wanted, so it was natural to just chase after that!

Why is empowering women in surf and women in photography so important to you?
I’ve always been a huge fan of women chasing after what they want in life, so I think that really inspired me, and then once I was I guess chasing after my own dreams, I realised I was inspiring others in the process. My whole aim is to inspire women to be themselves, embrace their femininity and live with purpose, so I think my tactic is if I can lead by example, I can hopefully help others!

What is the most moving moment you have captured in the water?
Capturing true and raw emotion is one of my favourite things to do. I think to be honest my most moving moments that demonstrate this have come from shooting the WSL events, because it’s literally unfolding right in front of you. There’s no acting or posing, it’s real and raw and dreams and getting made or shattered before my eyes and it’s my job to capture that. There’s a shot of Carissa Moore I got last year at Maui after she got barrelled and the look on her face is pretty rad!

Home break?
In Vicco, Gunnamatta and Pines. Up here in Byron, Wategoes is my fave!

What sparked your interest collaborating with U&I and having your own colourway?
I’ve always followed and watch the brand grow over the years and loved seeing how well a brand from Vic was doing disrupting the industry. When the opportunity came along to team up with U&I, it was the perfect fit!

We know you’ve had your own swimwear label previously, what is it you enjoy about designing swimwear?  
I did! It seems like a distant memory now but I launched 3 collections and had so much fun designing and creating it. I loved designing the pieces to suit what I wanted, what I saw was lacking in the swimwear department, so I created pieces that I would want to wear!

Some thoughts around sustainability and the swim/surf industry?
It’s absolutely key and we need to challenge more brands to do it! 

Red or White Wine?
Haha! I love all types of wine. A nice merlot on a cold night though, that’s something!

What’s your secret ingredient to the perfect sangria?
Getting the balance of ingredients right hah! But definitely a little bit of fresh orange slices to mix it up!

Fave break to shoot?
I love shooting snapper coz it’s kinda easy to sit in the once spot when the swells coming in nicely!! I also love shooting Little Cove at Noosa! 

Fave break to surf?
Wategoes with no one out…. 

Long or shortboard? - or in between?
I grew up shortboarding, but haven’t touched it since I moved to byron. Now I’m on a 9’6” log and happier than ever!

First international destination once the world opens back up again?
Gosh that’s a tough one! I really want to go to Mexico to surf, but work wise definitely want to get back to the states, Bali, Sri Lanka… I could go on forever haha. 

Currently listening to?
Devendra Banhart and Kurt Vile

Shop the U&I Label X Cait Miers, After the Rain - Merlot Edit