Two high school friends in Greece spending their summer holidays together at the beach, soaking up the sun, enjoying the crystal clear waters and dreaming of what the future had in store.
Fast forward 15 years and those two friends Eugenia Radopoulos and Yasmine Hottary, although working in different countries and in different careers, turned their love of the beach and memories of summer holidays into a new brand, Holyday Swim.
“Yasmine was working in the fashion industry in Paris and I was working in the hospitality industry but our paths met again in 2017, once more on the beach, just like the old days,” says Eugenia. “We wanted to translate a lifestyle that we knew and loved into a successful business, that's how Holyday was conceived. In 2018 we launched our first line of modern swim essentials that we carefully curated.”
Their collection can best be described as chic and contemporary, featuring handmade one-pieces and bikinis in sexy and minimal styles made in high-quality fabrics. “We make swimwear that we love wearing, clean-cut designs, high-end fabrics. We aim to give our customers the highest quality and modern designs without forgetting what is truly important – to have fun and enjoy a summer day without overthinking your outfit,” says Eugenia.
Their most popular design is the Stella one-piece, the first to launch in their collection and one that truly embodies the brand. “Our goal has been to create the perfect one-piece, a multipurpose piece that has made a comeback as it allows modern women to be ready for every situation with the appropriate styling. A lot of women have embraced it. This season our ribbed fabrics are also proving to be very popular.”
Greek women, in particular, have a need for multipurpose pieces that can effortlessly take them from brunch to beach to bar. “Greek women are very demanding when it comes to swimwear; they know exactly what they want and how they want it,” says Eugenia. “An average Greek woman owns at least five different swimsuits, they spend long hours on the beach and they are highly active, either chasing children around or dancing at a beach bar, swimming in deep waters or climbing rocks, Greek women look for quality but also beauty and style, they will not compromise their femininity for comfort. “
In addition to the Greek market, the first collection was exceptionally well received by international customers. “Our pieces have become popular in many countries. American, British and Japanese women seem to love our straight lines and effortless looks.”
With Greece serving as the main inspiration of their beautiful swimwear designs, Eugenia and Yasmine decided early on that they would support Greek manufacturers and make everything locally. Quality and sustainability are also important elements of the brand.
“We take pride in our raw materials, we use only the highest quality fabrics that have sustainability commitment and can offer added value to our customers through different features such as UV protection, excellent coverage, chlorine resistance and of course perfect fit,” says Eugenia.
Producing locally and sustainably was a conscious decision, one that they do not regret as it has enabled them to meet a lot of fantastic professionals who have helped them along the way. “Also, quality is not compromised as we can keep a close eye on things,” says Eugenia. “To support the Greek fashion manufacturers has not always been the easiest decision as these are trying times for Greece and owning a new company here does make for a serious challenge, but we take things one step at a time and hopefully we will manage to stay positive and overcome struggles such as these.”
Although still a relatively new brand, there have already been many highlights, including collaborations with luxury hotels and this year's new collaboration with Attica, a prominent department store in Athens. “We enjoy and appreciate every little victory as we are in it for the long run, not just the sprint,” says Eugenia. “Another highlight was when Forbes magazine reached out to us for an interview, that was also a very exciting moment for us.”
When asked what awaits their customers in 2019, Eugenia is filled with excitement about the new designs. “We are truly in love with SS19 collection, especially with the ribbed fabrics in black and white that really compliment the female body and are soft to touch,” she says. “Holyday also has a few surprises coming up, beautiful snake prints for a more eclectic look and fun cheetah prints. People can also expect an interesting variety of designs and a revisited 1970s vibe. We hope you enjoy them!”
