For Mila Pimentel, founder of SWYM and an entrepreneur and art student at the University of Utah, the ocean has always been home. Growing up in Hawai‘i, swimwear wasn’t just a wardrobe essential, it was part of her identity. But as she got older, she noticed something that didn’t sit right: high-quality swimsuits were priced like luxury items, often starting around $200.
“It didn’t make sense to me,” Pimentel said. “In a place where people live in their swimsuits, most of us couldn’t afford the ones that actually lasted.”
That realization planted the seed for SWYM, a brand built on the belief that durable swimwear shouldn’t be out of reach. The idea began to take shape during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, when Pimentel suddenly had time to slow down and think creatively.
“Like a lot of people, I needed something productive to focus on,” she said. “I started sketching designs and experimenting with fabric samples. I wanted to see if I could create something that felt just as good as the expensive brands, without the insane price tag.”
A student entrepreneur working with the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah, Pimentel turned curiosity into craftsmanship. Without a formal background in fashion design, she taught herself from scratch, watching YouTube tutorials, studying existing patterns, and then tearing them apart to learn how they worked.
“I would make a version, try it on, see what didn’t feel right, then start over,” she said. “It was trial and error for months, but every design got me closer to what I wanted to create.”
As SWYM continues to take shape, Pimentel is exploring how her designs can adapt to different markets. In Utah, she’s developing modest swimwear options that appeal to local culture while staying true to her own creative style. But her long-term goal is to expand back to Hawai‘i and eventually Colorado, markets that align more closely with her roots and outdoor lifestyle.
What sets SWYM apart isn’t just its mission of affordability, but the story behind it. Each piece reflects Pimentel’s personal journey, from self-taught designer to emerging founder. Looking ahead, Pimentel hopes to build SWYM into a brand recognized not only for its design but also for the values it embodies creativity, inclusivity, and confidence.
“I want people to feel amazing in their own skin,” she said. “SWYM isn’t about keeping up with trends, it’s about making something that is affordable, and attractive without losing quality.”
SWYM is a brand built on the belief that durable swimwear should not be out of reach.
