Behind the Scenes at Our Bikini Shop: The Journey from Concept to Collection
Hi there! I’m Val, the operations manager here at our bikini shop. As someone who works behind the scenes every day to make sure everything runs smoothly, I wanted to give you a peek into the intricate and often overlooked process that goes into bringing our bikini collections to life. We’re a small shop with a big heart, serving active women with normal-shaped, real bodies, which is something that sets us apart in the world of swimwear. We believe every body deserves to feel confident and comfortable, whether you’re swimming, surfing, or just soaking up the sun.
While the end result is a beautiful new line of bikinis, there’s a long journey that starts months before the designs even hit the shelves (or the website!). It all begins with inspiration. Ali, our talented designer, finds inspiration from the world around her—nature, patterns in her everyday life, and her adventurous spirit. Whether it’s the colors of a sunset or the shapes of leaves on a hiking trail, her eye for design is constantly fueled by her experiences in the world.
Step 1: Finding Inspiration and Choosing Fabrics
Ali’s creative process starts with finding fabric patterns and textures that resonate with the upcoming season. She’s always on the lookout for new color palettes or patterns that will feel fresh and inspiring for our customers. Once she’s gathered a handful of ideas, we start narrowing down which ones will be the perfect fit for the season. This isn’t just about choosing colors—it’s about ensuring that the fabric feels just right, holds up to wear and tear, and looks beautiful on a variety of body types.
As a small business, we take great pride in the fabrics we choose. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about feeling good, too. Whether it’s a fabric that stretches perfectly, feels soft against your skin, or one that supports movement, we know these little details make all the difference when it comes to comfort.
Step 2: Collaborative Design Decisions
Once Ali has chosen the fabrics and narrowed down the patterns, the next step is all about collaboration. Ali and I get together to figure out which bikini models will make it to production for the upcoming year, and which ones we’ll retire or tweak. We pour over customer feedback, sales numbers, and even trends we think will resonate with our audience. Sometimes, this is a matter of small adjustments—maybe the straps need to be a little longer, or the fit could be a touch more supportive.
This step takes a lot of time, as we’re not just creating designs for the sake of fashion. We’re designing for women who are active, who need their bikinis to be durable and flattering on all body shapes and sizes. So, it’s critical that we get the fit and functionality just right. It’s a lot of back-and-forth, but it’s worth it when we have a final design we’re proud of.
Step 3: Creating Production Packages
Once we’ve settled on the final designs, we dive into the nitty-gritty of preparing for production. This part is a serious team effort—Ali and I work closely together to create production packages for our factories. These packages detail everything from fabric specifications to the exact measurements of each design. There are countless tiny details to double-check, and the process often takes several rounds of review before everything is ready.
One of the challenges of working with small factories is that this part of the process can be tedious. We have to ensure that every little detail is documented and clear to avoid any miscommunication down the line. Ali and I take the time to go over every production package carefully, which can sometimes take weeks. Once everything’s perfect, we’re ready to place the orders.
Step 4: Ordering Fabric and Scheduling Production
Now comes the waiting game. Ordering fabric is a long lead time process, especially when we’re dealing with high-quality materials that are often sourced from different countries. Fabric can take months to arrive, so timing is crucial. While we wait, we’re busy communicating with our factories about the upcoming production. We need to make sure they’re ready and able to slot our order into their production schedules. This step requires a lot of back-and-forth to keep everything on track.
We’re also coordinating all the different parts of the manufacturing process, since different suppliers handle the trims, elastic bands, and other smaller components that come together to make the perfect bikini. It’s a bit like assembling a puzzle, but we make sure to stay organized every step of the way.
Step 5: Sewing Samples and Refining the Design
Once our fabric is in, the factories begin the process of making samples. These samples are sent back and forth between us and the factories several times. We look at the stitching, check the fit, and make sure the colors and patterns look just as we envisioned. If something’s off, we provide feedback and adjustments, and they send us another round of samples.
This is where the hard work really pays off. We have to make sure every design fits our exacting standards, both in terms of aesthetics and performance. If the product isn’t perfect, it doesn’t go to production.
Step 6: Production and Photoshoots
Once the final samples are approved, the manufacturing process begins. The factories get to work creating the bikinis, while we start planning for the next big step: the photoshoots. We need to make sure our customers see the bikinis on real women, not just models with perfect bodies, so we cast diverse women of all shapes and sizes for our photoshoots. We want to show how our bikinis look in the real world, on women who are active, healthy, and love being in the water.
At the same time, we’re busy programming the website, planning social media content, and crafting email newsletters to keep you updated. We want you to have an accurate representation of what our bikinis look like, how they fit, and why they’re perfect for your active lifestyle.
Why Our Process Is Different
The reason this process might sound more involved than other bikini shops is because it is. Many larger bikini shops simply order pre-made products from overseas, where they pick a pre-designed style and choose a color combination from a list. The products are already made and packaged, ready to ship. We don’t work like that. From fabric selection to final production, everything we make is carefully crafted with you in mind. We’re not mass-producing products—we’re creating unique, thoughtful pieces that we’re truly proud of.
It’s a lot of work, but it’s what makes us different. We’re not just about selling bikinis; we’re about making sure the bikini you wear makes you feel good in your own skin, no matter your shape, size, or activity level.
Thanks for being a part of our journey. It’s your support that makes all of this possible, and we can’t wait to share the fruits of all our hard work with you!
Thank you for reading me,
~Val