Body Beautiful
Blackbough Swim is the Filipino swimwear brand making waves in the international scene
In a country where half of the year is sunny and beautiful islands and beaches are just a drive away, swimwear is definitely a wardrobe staple for every Filipina. Shopping patterns would make women look for new sets probably twice a year. There are lots of options around especially with Instagram brands and online retailers sprouting left and right. The biggest concern will always be quality: is the fabric thick enough so nothing will show? Are the strings tough enough that it won’t come undone when I swim? Is the fabric comfortable enough for my skin? Is the fit 100%? It seems that Blackbough Swim has perfected this formula not just for Filipinas but for every woman who loves the island life.
Before going international and gaining fame on social media as one of the biggest swimwear brands around the world, Blackbough Swim started small back in 2016 in Jemina Ty’s bedroom. Like many entrepreneurs, Ty couldn’t find the perfect product—so she decided to make her own. She found someone to produce her creations and then sold them online. The demand for the swimsuits grew exponentially, leading to what Blackbough Swim is now.
Going international was a challenge because of higher taste levels of consumers so they tightened their processes and partnered with DHL Philippines to make transactions and deliveries easier. The products were also improved as new designs came out. The packaging also leveled up to easily compete with international swimwear brands.
The pandemic was a big challenge to every brand and Blackbough Swim was no different. As part of their efforts, the social media darling started a campaign urging followers to post photos of themselves wearing their suits in the safety of their homes. “We had to stay relevant, but still sensitive to what’s been happening,” Ty told Women’s Wear Daily.
Getting a pair of their pieces, one can easily point out the high quality fabric compared to other brands. With cuts staying constant while prints and and colors are updated every season, one can easily find the best bikini for them no matter where they are. And that’s what makes Blackbough a proudly Filipino brand: by combining hard work and determination, they were able to find a place in the international swimwear scene.