We recently connected with Nadia Weekes and have shared our conversation below.

Nadia , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Top Knot Swim is a swimwear brand based in Toronto, Canada. I started my brand in 2018 from a personal passion for designing creative swimsuits. The journey began in 2013 when I started custom-designing swimwear by altering pre-existing swimsuits. Driven by the desire to make swimsuits that have a minimal aesthetic, trendy and inspired by my family trip in Hawaii, I began hand crafting designs that accentuated my style and flattered a women figure. As I wore my custom creations, I gained attention and received positive feedback from friends and acquaintances, fuelling my ambition to transform my passion into a full-fledged brand.

In 2017, I took a significant step forward by learning to make my own patterns and sewing my first first samples. It allowed me to refine my designs and further enhance the fit and aesthetics of the bathing suits. Eager to share my creations with a broader audience, I turned to Instagram, using the platform to showcase my designs and connect with potential customers.
My Instagram posts attracted attention and sparked interest in my swimwear brand. Capitalizing on this growing following, I expanded my sales channels by participating in local artisan markets and leveraging different social media platforms. Through my Instagram presence, I engaged directly with customers, fostering a sense of community and building a loyal customer base.

In a fortunate turn of events, my talent and dedication caught the eye of Flying Solo, leading to a remarkable opportunity: my first runway shows in Miami and Paris. This prestigious platform allowed me to showcase my designs to a wider audience and gain recognition within the fashion industry.

Since then, Top Knot Swim has continued to thrive, driven by the combination of my creative vision, craftsmanship, and effective marketing strategies. My brand has become interchangeable with unique swimwear designs that celebrate individuality and empower wearers to feel confident in their skin.

Each new collection, I tell a story starting with one theme and ending with the new theme to come. I consistently push boundaries and explore new design concepts, keeping my brand fresh and on trend. By listening to my customers and staying attuned to their needs and preferences, I continue to evolve and adapt, ensuring that Top Knot Swim remains a sought-after brand.
Today, Top Knot Swim is a symbol of my entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to creating swimwear that allows individuals to embrace their bodies and enjoy the sun, sand, and sea in style.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Nadia Weekes, I am the designer and creator of Top Knot Swim. I have always had a deep-rooted love for swimwear. I grew up by the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver, British Columbia. What began as a passion for swimwear has now blossomed into a full-fledged love for design. I pursued my dreams by attending fashion design school in Vancouver and fashion business in Toronto, earning a diploma in business and design. With a strong foundation in art and design, I embarked on her creative journey by handcrafting patterns and designing innovative swimwear styles from the comfort of my home. I drew inspiration from my favourite artistic mediums such as clay, pastels, and paint, and seamlessly combined various textures, prints, and hand-dying techniques into my swimwear designs. Each piece is made, ensuring a unique and exclusive experience for customers. After my family trip to Hawaii, I later establishes my brand in Toronto. I started by hand-making swimwear for local markets and serving customers online, building a loyal following. I remained dedicated to my artistry and design, I was able to continue to design pieces for customers and for future runway shows.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

My journey as a swimwear designer began with a simple goal – to create swimwear that offered a perfect fit. I would take existing swimsuits and alter them to suit my desired style. However, as my passion for swimwear grew, I felt the need to take it a step further. In 2017, I started experimenting with drafting my patterns and handcrafting my first swimwear samples. As I delved deeper into the world of swimwear design, I began to explore different textures and fabrics. I wanted to create pieces that looked stunning but also felt unique. I played around with materials like seersucker, and ribbed polyester, and even experimented with embossing and hand-dying techniques. Each design became a canvas for me to express my creativity and love for artistry.

I had envisioned my swimwear being manufactured by a vendor. However, the unexpected events of 2020 led to temporary closures and disrupted supply chains. In the face of this challenge, I turned to my sewing skills. I dedicated my time to practicing and honing my craft, determined to continue creating swimwear despite the obstacles.

To showcase my designs and reach a wider audience, I turned to social media, particularly Instagram. I started sharing images of the sample styles I had created, collaborating with influencers, and partnering with different companies. It allowed me to gain exposure and connect with swimwear enthusiasts from all around the world.

When I first started, I had no prior knowledge of sewing bikinis. It was a trial-and-error process, with each mistake teaching me valuable lessons. But I remained determined and persevered. With practice, I mastered the art of crafting seamless and reversible swimwear, reminiscent of the styles found in the vibrant bikini shops of Hawaii.
Through this journey, I learned that with passion and determination, anything is possible. From using scrap fabric to construct my initial designs, I have now evolved into creating multiple designs for clients worldwide. My swimwear brand has grown from a personal endeavour to a small business, with each piece reflecting my dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail.

In the world of swimwear, the possibilities are endless. I am grateful for the experiences, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped my path as a swimwear designer. As I continue to evolve and push the boundaries of design, I am excited to bring my unique creations to individuals who share my love for swimwear and appreciate the artistry that goes into each piece.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the most notable pivots in my business occurred when I made the transition from working part-time to working full-time. As the sole sewer in my brand, this shift presented several challenges, particularly in maintaining a healthy work-life balance since 2020. To adapt to this change, I implemented a scheduling system to allocate specific sewing days for fulfilling orders and preparing for runway shows. It helped me maintain productivity and meet the demands of my customers and fashion events.

However, I soon realized that simply scheduling dedicated sewing days wasn’t sufficient to strike a balance between my work and personal life. The increased workload and time commitment required more comprehensive solutions.

To address this, I began evaluating my workload more meticulously. I carefully assessed the number of orders I could comfortably handle within a given timeframe. By setting realistic goals and deadlines, I ensured that I didn’t overwhelm myself and maintained a sustainable workflow.

Furthermore, I learned the importance of delegation and outsourcing. While I take pride in being the solo sewer of my brand, I realized that there were tasks that could be entrusted to others without compromising the quality or essence of my creations. So, I started exploring options to delegate non-sewing tasks, such as administrative work or marketing, to reliable partners or contractors. It allowed me to focus more on the creative aspects of my business and strike a better work-life balance.

Ultimately, the pivot to working full-time required me to refine my time management skills, set realistic expectations, and be open to seeking support when needed. While it was initially challenging, this transition has enabled me to scale my business and maintain a fulfilling personal life alongside my professional pursuits.

Contact Info:

• Website: topknotswim.com
• Instagram: topknotswim
• Facebook: topknotswim
• Youtube: topknotswim
• Other: Tik Tok: topknotswim

Image Credits
Magazine image @vogueuk