Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadia Weekes.
Hi Nadia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Nadia, and I am the designer and creator of Top Knot Swim. Growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia, close to the ocean, is where my love for swimwear began. I remember being so excited when my family would take me to the beach as a kid. Swimming was one of my favorite hobbies growing up. Now my passion for swimwear has become a love of design. After high school, I went to college for fashion design at Blanche MacDonald in Vancouver and Fashion Business at Humber College in Toronto. I graduated with a diploma in both business management and fashion design.
In high school, I got the opportunity to use different medians and textures in art like clay, sand, pastels, and paint. When I would sew in home economics, I chose fabrics that had a unique feel like the art medians I used. Art and design go hand and hand for me. I design swimwear inspired by different types of rare fabrics, textures, prints, and hand-dying techniques. Each piece is unique in design and exclusive to each customer.
I knew I wanted to start a swimwear brand after a family trip to O’ahu, Hawaii. Walking around Waikiki, I was amazed by all the swimsuits shops! I wanted to go to every store and see all the unique designs and prints Hawaii offered. When I came back to Toronto, Top Knot Swim was born. I wanted my brand to represent everything I love about swimwear. My brand name got inspired by the pineapple hairstyle I love to wear to the beach, also known as a topknot to most. The inspiration for my aesthetic and style also came from Hawaii. A lot of the swimsuits were minimal yet comfortable for surfing and paddleboarding. The designs were always bright, colorful, floral, and reversible. Most Top Knot Swim designs are reversible, cut from unique swimwear fabric, and tied up in multiple ways to achieve the desired look and fit.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I have faced a few obstacles along the way, but I have learned to adapt and grow through my process. I always knew I wanted to have a swimwear brand but struggled to find the resources to get started. I started sewing my first swimsuit in college and later began designing my swimwear in 2018. At first, I would make swimsuits to wear to the beach and began to play with different styles and designs. I used social media to showcase my looks during the stay-at-home order. Unfortunately, many fabric stores and vendors I would purchase from went out of business during this time. When the travel band was in place, that did hinder my brand, but I never gave up. I currently work full-time and design on the side, but I look forward to becoming a full-time fashion designer and entrepreneur for Top Knot Swim. Last year, I attended my first flea market in Toronto, and I liked it. It was a fantastic experience to meet local handmade vendors around the city. Designing is my true passion, and no matter the challenge, I will always enjoy creating swimwear.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently an independent fashion designer specializing in swimwear. I learned how to design clothes in high school, and I loved it. After I graduated, I wanted to know the business side of fashion designing, business, and management. Now I design my patterns, source my fabric, and sew all my designs. I want to start creating my prints and custom apparel in the future. My designs are unique, they can be styled and tied in many ways, and most swimsuits are reversible. One bikini top style can be worn in multiple ways, making each look versatile. All the fabrics I select have a luxurious feel that can be soft, textured, or shiny. All bikinis can be paired with a topknot hair scrunchie to keep hair nice and dry and out of the way. I am most proud of my journey thus far. Once I put my mind to it, I realized how much I enjoy my craft. I have learned so much about swimwear by being more involved in production. I am most proud that I have never given up and challenged myself in my business endeavors.
What’s next
I plan to expand my e-commerce platforms on social media and my online store. I also plan to attend more local flea markets this summer in different parts of Toronto. In the future, I would love to be a part of a renowned fashion show and have a pop-up shop to meet and greet different customers who share the passion I do for swimwear. I want Top Knot Swim to expand in men’s swimwear, women’s cover-ups, beach accessories, and apparel. I also want to explore different fabrics that aren’t traditionally swimwear wear materials while designing beautiful trendy designs.
Slow fashion has recently been on the rise for small brands and companies to produce more ethical and sustainable products that have less impact on landfills, the environment, and wildlife. That is why I chose the handmade route, and I also wanted to create swimsuits made to last. It is an honor to manage all my designs, fabric selection, manufacturing, and distribution. Our products take time, but each design is creatively crafted and sewn together to achieve the desired look.
Contact Info:
- Email: topknotswim@gmail.com
- Website: www.topknotswim.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topknotswim/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/topknotswim
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@topknot_swim?lang=en & https://pin.it/3XssvCf
Suggest a Story: VoyageTampa is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
