Five Questions with the Girls of "437" Swimwear

Q: First of all, how did you get started with the swimwear line? What was the inspiration?

A: We started 437 Swimwear the summer after returning from exchange. Hyla was in Italy and Adrien was in France, but we met up on the weekends. We’ve talked about starting a business since our second year in Commerce, but were influenced by the time we spent vacationing on the Amalfi coast in Italy. It was such a spectacular experience that it really prompted us to finally make the move and do what we had been talking about for a long time: starting a swimwear business. There was a specific moment – we were on a boat off the coast of Positano – where we promised to start our business when we returned home, and we did!

Q: What experience did you have with business and/or the fashion industry before, how has it helped you with your business?

A: Hyla has worked in marketing for Nike, learning the importance of brand identity and consistency. This knowledge has been applied to 437 in our communication with customers, influencers, and through our social media marketing. Adrien has spent a few seasons with German luxury label Hugo Boss, an invaluable experience where she gained insight into the structure and cycle of the fashion industry. She was able to understand the value of passionate and knowledgeable sales staff, as well as the effect that visual merchandising can have on a collection’s overall appeal.

Q: What do you strive to put into the design of every bathing suit?

A: The most important attribute is simplicity. Simplicity comes off as effortlessly sexy and sophisticated, traits that make our bikinis a staple that every girl needs. We’ve also made an effort to ensure that our prices are affordable, making 437 more financially accessible. We take a lot of pride in the fact that we genuinely care about our customers, and want to cultivate a community of loving girls.

Q: What have you learned from hands-on business experience that you could never learn in a classroom?

A: Wow, so much! Every day we’re faced with a new opportunity and challenge. One important aspect that we’ve had to learn is how to run a business with a friend – there’s definitely no commerce course for that. Through experience we’ve learned that we need to set aside meeting times where we act as business partners, and also dedicate time to just hang out as best friends.

Q: What are 437’s future plans?

A: We’re really excited about what the next few months have in store. Both of us graduate in April, at which point we’ll be pursuing the business full time (which we do anyway!). We’re headed to Asia this summer; first to China, to meet with suppliers regarding a new collection, and then we’ll be working out of Bali the following month. After that, we’ll see what happens!

an interview by Samantha Fink