Two best friends who launched a fashionable men’s swimwear business in 2017 are set to turnover $2.4 million in revenue next financial year.
Vacay Swimwear launched in early 2017 by founders Jordy Kallios and Corey Decandia, both 25, from Adelaide, South Australia.
The pair decided to start their own business after noticing a ‘huge gap in the Australian market’ for stylish and affordable men’s swim shorts.
The idea sparked during their European summer holiday in 2016 as they saw other men wearing bright, multi-coloured shorts – a style that the duo struggled to find back home.
Speaking to FEMAIL, the pair said their achievements weren’t an overnight success, but they have triumphed through continuous hard work and dedication to the brand.
Vacay Swimwear launched in early 2017 by founders Jordy Kallios (pictured left) and Corey Decandia (pictured right), both 25, from Adelaide, South Australia
The pair decided to start their own business after noticing a huge gap in the Australian market for stylish and affordable men’s swim shorts
Jordy said the product development process took up to eight months to complete in order to ensure their swimwear met the highest possible market standards
After returning home from their overseas trip, Corey and Jordy started designing and making shorts for themselves and a few friends.
While both founders studied marketing at university prior to starting the brand, neither of them have a background in business or textiles.
‘We had no idea about manufacturing, dress making, sewing or what it takes to run a business, so there was a lot of trial and error at the start,’ Jordy said.
‘But we kept persisting and changing the sample pieces until we made the perfect fit that we wanted.’
Jordy said the product development process took up to eight months to complete to ensure their swimwear met the highest possible market standards.
Since the beginning of business to the present day, the pair design and lead the creative direction of the brand.
Both Corey and Jordy have committed themselves full time to the business to grow the brand further and allow it to reach a maximum potential.
Speaking to FEMAIL, the pair agreed their achievements weren’t an overnight success, but have been triumphed through continuous hard work and dedication to the brand
The $79.99 shorts are quick drying, on-trend and can be worn at the beach, poolside or at the bar.
Each print is named and inspired by the world’s most iconic holiday destinations – such as Bora Bora, Mykonos, Miami and Ibiza.
The shorts themselves are available in a variety of bright and colourful patterns which can be viewed on the Vacay Swimwear website.
In addition to the popular shorts, the brand now sell t-shirts, 100 per cent linen shirts and caps that compliment the shorts.
Corey said the brand usually launches two drops per year to cater to both the Australian and European or American summer, and each release features new prints they haven’t sold previously.
The $79.99 shorts are quick drying, on-trend and can be worn from the beach to the bar
Eight months post-launch, Vacay Swimwear found themselves stocked on Australia’s largest online retailer, The Iconic, followed by Asia’s equivalent Zalora.
‘We were so excited be stocked on a platform like The Iconic, because it was one of the goals we had from the start,’ Corey said.
In August this year the South Australian brand is set to be stocked across 25 David Jones stores – another milestone achievement to date.
Currently the bright swim shorts can also be found in over 60 store locations around Australia, Indonesia and the Middle East.
Eight months post-launch, Vacay Swimwear found themselves stocked on Australia’s largest online retailer, The Iconic, followed by Asia’s equivalent Zalora
In August the South Australian brand is set to be stocked across 25 David Jones stores – another milestone achievement to date
When asked what’s next for Vacay Swimwear, Corey said they aim to continue to grow the brand internationally in the American and Middle Eastern markets.
‘There’s no secret formula to success – it’s all hard work, persistence and dedication,’ Jordy said.
Corey added: ‘Knowing that we built the business from absolutely nothing and now the brand is globally recognised is an amazing feeling.’