Growing Madibu
The Journey of Madibu
My journey with Madibu officially began in 2017. That’s when I took over the role and started teaching myself how to sew and pattern-make, slowly building the foundation of the brand. I was completely self-taught—spending hours experimenting, learning, and refining the art of creating bikinis. Some pieces would take up to eight hours from start to finish. But in truth, the story started long before that.
Since I was a kid, I always knew what I wanted to do—create beautiful pieces. That dream was constantly fueled by moments of inspiration, especially when family and friends would return from Hawaii with the most unique swimsuits I’d ever seen. I was captivated by the styles, the fabrics, the feeling they carried. It made me want to create something that felt just as special.
From 2020 to 2024, every single Madibu piece was handmade by me—from cutting and pinning to sewing and packaging. Late nights were spent in my workspace, crafting with love and care. Along the way, I found myself forming unexpected connections through fabric shops in Miami and Hawaii. These small shops and the people behind them became like family to me—mentors who taught me not only the technical side of sewing but the soul behind the craft.
In March 2024, I booked a one-way ticket to Bali—the global heart of swimwear creation. It felt like a full-circle moment. I met with seamstresses, explored local studios, and began building what would become Madibu’s small-batch hub overseas. It was in this chapter that I finally realized—it was time to grow. I couldn’t do it all alone anymore.
As Madibu expanded, we established two creative hubs—one in Miami, and one in Bali. These places are now the heartbeat of our brand, blending cultures and creativity while sourcing beautiful, resourceful materials. I began collaborating with a talented group of local experts, learning from them, and designing new, unique pieces together. For the first time, I had help—without compromising the soul of Madibu.
In October 2024, I took a step back and closed the shop to focus entirely on the back end. I rebuilt everything from the ground up—our website, our branding, packaging, shipping systems, even the not-so-fun (but essential) operational side. It was exhausting, but necessary. I knew this would become the foundation I could grow from. A solid home for everything Madibu is becoming.
And now, as we step into April 2025, I’m so excited to be back. Even more excited to show you what we’ve been working so hard on. Our upcoming collections will reflect everything we’ve learned—timeless designs that capture the feeling of an endless summer. Limited drops made with intention. Swimwear that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and excited to wear.
This is just the beginning <3