Two years ago, New York designers Mayaan Zilberman and Nikki Dekker created a lingerie line that was so sexy yet comfortable that fans began to ask if they could wear it as swimwear.

The short answer was no.

“We didn’t suggest they go into the water with it,” Zilberman said. “We said we would make them swimwear in styles similar to the lingerie. They wanted the same details.”

So the two set out to create a swimwear line under the same label as their lingerie line, which is called The Lake & Stars. The name comes from a phrase coined in Victorian times that referred to a good time in bed.

Zilberman and Dekker started out small with their swimwear, doing just a capsule collection for Summer 2009, which is in stores now.

The first swimwear offerings are very basic, consisting of two styles: a one-piece suit with a plunging neckline that retails for $240 and a two-piece suit with a V-neck halter that sells for $185. Both styles are done in four color combinations: navy and black, gold and white, silver and turquoise, and red and pink.

The label is made for the discerning customer between the ages of 25 and 35 who likes high-end garments but may not want to splurge on designer prices. “What sets our stuff apart is it is still a luxury product with lower price points than other luxury swimwear that is $50 to $75 higher,” Zilberman said, noting they use a polyester/spandex fabric that comes from France and Spain.

For summer, the capsule swimwear collection is being carried by small boutiques such as Faire Frou Frou in Studio City, Calif.; Lille Boutique in Portland, Ore.; and The Smile in New York.

For more information, go to www.thelakeandstars.com. —Deborah Belgum