FASHTALKS WITH ANDREW & COLE

What inspired you to create your own brand? 

My Co-Founder and I saw a gap in the men’s summer wear sector, specifically in the swim shorts market. For years we have been looking for comfortable and stylish swim shorts with good quality at an affordable price.

Did you always know you wanted to be a designer? Why or Why not?

Actually, I didn’t know it until the day came when we founded our brand. I have always been creative in my life, but never realized that I could be a designer. I have always been passionate about fashion and the way I presented myself, so I came up with the idea to turn my passion into a career. I started to study fashion design and visited schools in LA and London. I broke up school in the middle of the study because I wanted to use all that I had learned into my work and brand. Two years later, I realized that both learning and pursuing helps you a lot in your life, whether it is in business or in my personal life.

"We were looking for a brand name that was easy to pronounce and would stick in someone’s head."

What is the inspiration for your brand’s name?

Finding the right brand name wasn’t easy for us. It took us a couple of months to decide! We were looking for a brand name that was easy to pronounce and would stick in someone’s head. The name ‘Andrew’ came from my business partners middle name and ‘Cole’ is also my middle name.

What was your previous work experience before launching your brand?

I worked as a merchant that was part of my business school study and in real estate in the creative part of the business.

If you could do something different before starting your business, what would it be?

I would plan my new business more precisely to refrain from being naive about the market I was entering.

What was the toughest circumstance you overcame when just starting out your business? 

To gain the trust of the customer and to be accepted into the retail stores.

How important is social media to your brand?

Very important! A huge amount of our sales come from the social media. We also gain a lot of brand awareness through social media, but it is important to do it right and work with partner that understand the business.

"For me, fashion is a sign of change and culture."

How do you define fashion?

For me, fashion is a sign of change and culture. With fashion you can see how the world and people are changing. If you are attentive, you can see at first glance how the person lives, what kind of character they have and what they want to show the world.

What does the word “success” mean to you?

The word success means living a happy life surrounded by those that I care about most and having the freedom to do what I love.

Do you see your brand ever expanding into a different avenue? Why or why not?

Yes, I can see my brand expanding slowly into new markets and more countries.

Are you passionate about something other than fashion?

I am passionate about anything that is creative.

If you were not in the fashion industry what other industry/job would you be in?

Had I not pursued something for my creative mind, I would have had a job in the finance and banking industry or in the aviation industry.