Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Chiou.
Hi Linda , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started Ivy Swimwear in 2016 after designing pieces for myself and realizing there was a real gap in the market for petite bodies. So many swimsuits didn’t fit right — the proportions, cuts, and details just weren’t made with smaller frames in mind. I wanted to change that by creating bikinis that combined flattering silhouettes with a fashion-forward, modern aesthetic.
From day one, my goal has been to enhance a woman’s natural curves and make her feel sexy, confident, and empowered in her own skin.
At first, it was just me — sketching designs, managing production samples, shooting content, and shipping orders out of my house. I tested multiple manufacturers until I found one that could truly capture my vision and deliver the level of quality I wanted, from our signature lace trims to the custom Ivy metal tags that define the brand today.
Over the years, Ivy has scaled organically through influencer partnerships, creative brand collaborations, and immersive events — from Coachella activations to Miami Swim Week and New York Swim Week. These experiences have not only introduced the brand to new audiences but also helped build a strong global community around our shared love for travel, confidence, and self-expression.
We’ve also made it a point to give back — celebrating our brand milestones by supporting local causes and initiatives that empower women.
What started as a personal project has grown into a global swimwear brand recognized for its confidence, femininity, and attention to detail — and that’s still what inspires me most every day.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I think that’s part of every founder’s journey. In the beginning, one of our biggest struggles was manufacturing. Finding a partner who could execute the level of quality, fit, and detail I envisioned took years of testing and trial. We went through multiple rounds of sampling, dealt with production delays, and constantly had to refine our sizing to perfect the fit.
As we grew, new challenges emerged. The pandemic brought major disruptions to supply chains, and the sudden rise of micro swimwear brands and fast fashion meant the market became more competitive than ever. Now, with global tariffs and fluctuating shipping costs, scaling internationally has its own set of obstacles.
Beyond operations, one of the hardest parts as an entrepreneur has been finding the right team — people who truly understand the brand’s DNA and are as passionate about the mission as I am. But every challenge has pushed me to evolve, adapt, and get creative in how we build and grow Ivy Swimwear.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ivy Swimwear?
Ivy Swimwear is a fashion-forward swim and resort brand designed to celebrate the female form. We specialize in flattering, elevated bikini silhouettes with thoughtful details — from our signature lace trims and cheeky cuts to custom metal Ivy tags and custom prints. While the industry was long dominated by one-size-fits-all fits, we intentionally built Ivy with a focus on petite and curve-enhancing designs that accentuate a woman’s natural shape rather than hide it.
We’re known for creating swimsuits that feel sexy without trying too hard — pieces that make women feel confident, empowered, and seen. Our customers come to us not just for swimwear, but for the feeling — the moment you put on a bikini that fits like it was made for you, whether you’re stepping onto a beach in St. Barths or going to a pool party.
What truly sets us apart is our attention to detail, our community-driven growth, and our commitment to building real relationships. We grew organically through word-of-mouth, meaningful influencer partnerships, creative event activations, and a tight-knit community of Ivy Babes who share travel, adventure, confidence, and self-expression as core values. We’ve hosted brand pop-ups, partnered with influential creatives, and leaned into storytelling through international campaigns — from resorts in Thailand to beaches in California and iconic Coachella weekends.
I’m most proud of the world we’ve built around Ivy — it’s more than swimwear, it’s a lifestyle and a community. We don’t believe in just selling bikinis; we believe in creating moments, memories, and confidence-boosting experiences for women everywhere. As we continue to grow, we’re expanding into more resortwear, accessories, and creative collabs, always staying true to our mission: to make women feel sexy, confident, and effortlessly feminine in every setting.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck and timing have played a big role in my journey with Ivy Swimwear. When we first launched, our HQ was in Los Angeles — and we couldn’t have picked a better time or place. It was 2016, when the content creation and social media era was just starting to peak. There were so many aspiring models, photographers, and influencers in LA, and not nearly as many independent fashion brands as there are today. That timing allowed us to build incredible relationships and collaborate with creative talent who helped bring our vision to life through authentic storytelling and imagery.
We were fortunate to grow alongside that wave of influencer marketing, forming partnerships and community connections that shaped Ivy’s DNA early on. We participated in creative industry events, pop-ups, and brand collaborations that helped us reach new audiences organically.
Now, our HQ is based in upstate New York, which has brought a different kind of luck — saving on overhead while giving us proximity to major swim markets like Miami and New York. It’s allowed us to network from coast to coast and stay connected with both creative and wholesale communities.
Good luck and timing are everything in business. Of course, it takes vision and persistence to turn that timing into long-term growth — but I’m very aware of how being in the right place, at the right time, with the right people helped shape Ivy’s success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ivyswimwear.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivyswimwear
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ivyswimwear
Image Credits
Photos by Ryan Chua
