Founder and designer of Australia’s Mayaki Swimwear, REBECCA MAYAK, tells us why her company was born to be different…
Hello, Rebecca, tell us a bit about your background.
I was born and raised in a large family in the Blue Mountains in NSW but relocated 20 years ago to be closer to the beach and a warmer lifestyle in sunny Queensland. I own and manage an award-winning insurance broking business along with Mayaki Swimwear and I want to be a strong female role model to my two daughters. I feel especially lucky to have a career that inspires them.
How did you get involved in the swimwear industry?
I really wanted to create a fashion line that was unique and timeless. I took an interest in swimwear when I noticed the gap in this market that boutique designers were not filling because at that point it was dominated by a few main brands. I wanted to push the creative boundaries for swimwear and create the sort of pieces you would wear from pool to dinner, at a luxury resort or at a pool party in Dubai. Standout statement pieces that are unique.
Tell us more about Mayaki Swimwear and what you’re all about.
Mayaki is a luxury Australian resortwear label. We focus on pushing the boundaries of swimwear design to create unique timeless pieces. Like so many others, I always felt I had another calling, a burning desire that I am meant to be doing something else with my life. I’ve always had a love for fashion and interior design and had been toying with the idea of pursuing a career in design when I finally bit the bullet and started the company in 2019. I would sit and sketch for hours, 20 or 30 designs at once. My soul lit up and I’d finally found my creative outlet. As soon as I ordered my first batch of samplesI felt complete exhilaration. There is something about bringing your ideas to life that is so rewarding!
How do you come up with the ideas for your swimwear designs?
I often am asked this question and I always struggle to explain! The designs will come to me like a photo in my mind. I can wake up at night and sketch down something that appeared to me. Like most artists or creatives will tell you, usually you must be in the zone, relaxed and stress free – this can be hard when you’re the mum of two young children, but once I open that tap and I find my Zen space I can easily design a whole collection in just a few days. Once the initial concepts come to life in the samples, I spend quite a lot of time working through the materials, design and hardware that will go on each piece.
What makes Mayaki Swimwear stand out from your competitors
We strive to be the go-to brand for beautiful swimwear that can be worn from pool to dinner party with family and friends. Pieces that are timeless and elegant and can be transformed for different occasions. I feel that a lot of the emerging designers try to stick to the same designs that are already in the market or create on trend designs which can be quickly outdated and encourage consumer waste. We make our swimwear from high quality materials to ensure longevity and most of our pieces are made from recycled Lycra, so this helps shift the industry that luxury can also be sustainable.
Is it a competitive market?
Oh absolutely! There has been an explosion of small emerging designers as well as well-known brands adding swimwear to their collections so it’s noisy on the digital marketing platforms with so many new brands vying to be seen. We are a higher end luxury label, and our designs are somewhat unique so that helps us to stand out.
Finally, what advice do you have for others wanting to start their own business, like you have done?
Starting a business is not for everyone, but if you’re thinking about it you probably already have the entrepreneurial spirit. As a creative I would encourage anyone to pursue their creativity and I’ve always found business to be very rewarding!
Founder and designer of Australia’s Mayaki Swimwear, REBECCA MAYAK, tells us why her company was born to be different…
Interview by SANTI PINTADO
