12 Things You Didn’t Know About ASTA Resort

Poolside State of Mind: Helena & Jasmine Ammitzbøell on crafting slow fashion, sisterhood, and their dream 1970s party guest list.

Piscina in Puglia, the latest Pre-Fall '25 collection from Australian brand ASTA Resort, is a sun-faded ode to slow living. Inspired by 1970s poolside glamour, European summers, and the beauty of doing nothing, it captures a mood of soft mornings, long shadows, and quiet indulgence.

To mark the launch, we spoke with sisters Helena and Jasmine Ammitzbøell about the moments and memories behind the collection—from films and fragrances to their dream dinner party guest lists!

“Poolside in Puglia” is such a poetic title. What inspired the mood, the textures, and the overall narrative?

Helena: The Jacques Deray film, “La Piscine” was shot at the one location - a villa on the Côte D’Azur - for almost its entirety. It lets you watch the character’s arcs and behavior very closely, and see how a day unfolds in this paradise. When Jas and I were ideating the type of day that our character would have wearing our new collection, we knew it should be a slow one, with not too much movement around town, in an Italian region known for quaint art and tranquility. So in the little film we made for this campaign, you see our ASTA girl start her day off in an empty art museum down a quiet laneway, followed by a slow day by her pool, that leads into a spontaneous dancing evening with lots of desert. Additionally we were influenced by the main color palette in Deray’s film… the perfect swimming pool turquoise, naturalistic olive greens and blues from the shrubbery and the clear skies. The orange came from the really beautiful shot where Romy Schneider is on the phone wearing her tangerine colored pool towel.

Jasmine: We loved the ‘lazing’ around the villa, having nothing in particular to do except escape the heat and enjoy a lavish breakfast. It reminded me of our holidays growing up, where we would do as little as possible and soak up every moment of it. We were also drawn to the 70’s pool party, thrown together in an effortless manner. Dancing your heart out with strangers amidst a pool-lit backdrop. Whilst shooting ‘Piscina in Puglia’, we had a small party ourselves, setting the scene so it felt real. I think the best results come from spontaneity and indulging in enjoyment.

What's your definition of the perfect slow day?

Jasmine: A big sleep in with no alarm. Drinking tea in bed then walking down to the beach with my book and journal. Sketching in the sun in between swimming in the sea. Then going out to meet some friends for an evening drink (most likely chucking on a dress over my swimmers).

Helena: Yoga, black coffee, a book and bikini. A nice scenic drive to a beach, looking at markets, seafood in the afternoon and back home to swim and lie out until dinner time.

The campaign feels deeply rooted in both place and memory. Why Puglia?

Helena: We’ve been coming to Italy and Portugal and Spain for years—first for holidays, now also to visit our factories. Claude Lelouch said “I want to make propaganda about the things I love” so that’s just it. Swishy white skirts, peaceful villages, blue bikinis, fresh olives, good espresso and lots of sunshine.

Jasmine: I feel like this collection captures our real lived experiences. I’m excited to share a piece of our memories with our customers and the designs we would dream of wearing on these vacations.

How do you envision the ASTA muse this season?

Jasmine: This season, I see the quintessential ASTA girl barefoot by the water, with a sense of curiosity as she is wandering around her local town taking note of new scenery or people she has never seen before. Minimal effort is key as the garments speak for themselves — just a book and basket in hand.

What is your favorite piece from the collection and where would you wear it?

Jasmine: The ‘Celine’ hand-beaded dress in Swimming Pool Blue. I’d wear it to sunset drinks or dinner with undone hair and sandals.

Helena: There is a black backless halter neck maxi with a beaded trim that I will be reaching for twice a week minimum this summer, with gold bangles and black strappy sandals.

What’s one item you always pack for a summer escape?

Jasmine: One (or a few) good books.

Helena: A jewellery pouch with lots and lots of droopy earrings and vintage gold bracelets.

What would your dream ASTA Resort dinner party look like?

Jasmine: A long outstretched table with overhanging lights and candelabras. Preferably by the beach for intermittent ocean dips to table conversations. A dance floor and daybeds. An endless serving of wine and lemon meringue pie. The guest list would have to include Yoshitomo Nara, Lana Del Rey, Alexa Chung, and my closest friends.

Helena: Mine would be somewhere on the island of Sardinia, on the terrace of an old stone villa. There would be white lilies and old candlesticks on the table, mussels and lemon pasta, champagne and gelato. Loud music and Brigitte Bardot, Christopher Nolan and Eve Babitz would be there. Everyone would party after at Ritual, a nightclub lit up in the Sardinian caves.

You're handed a ticket to a 1970s pool party. What are you wearing from the collection and who are you arriving with?

Helena: Eve Babitz seems to be the underdog party girl of the 70s so I would surely be in good hands with her by my side. I’d wear the Fidan beaded skirt and the Celine halter top, with little silver heels.

Jasmine: I’d arrive with Jane Birkin wearing the Valeria dress, paired with big chunky gold earrings and bangles. I’d probably ditch my shoes at some point.

A scent that instantly takes you to summer?

Helena: Missoni Eau de Parfum — it doesn’t have a name but it's the purple bottle.

Jasmine: Issey Miyake ‘A Drop D’Issey’ jasmine-scented perfume mixed with a bit of sweat.

You work together as sisters. What’s one thing that always makes you laugh during design season?

Helena: Our mum’s naming suggestions for colors and styles. I’ll leave the details to your imagination.

Jasmine: Yes.

If your suitcase could only fit 3 things from Piscina in Puglia, which pieces are non-negotiable?

Helena: The Delilah crochet pant in black for everyday, the matching hat with white flowers on it, and a Katie dress for the night.

Jasmine: The Eve crochet mini dress for day-to-day strolling, the Celine hand-beaded dress for the evenings, and the Lio jacquard bikini in Sky Blue to swim in.

Finish the sentence: ASTA Resort is for the woman who...

Helena: Likes the big things, but loves the little things.

Jasmine: Is deeply nostalgic and slows down to enjoy all of life’s small moments.

Piscina in Puglia is available now at astaresort.com and selected retailers including Selfridges, KITH, FLANNELS and REVOLVE.