Sustainable and Affordable Swimwear by Lanala Swimwear
Lanala Swimwear is a family business that began in 2017. They wanted to offer affordable and sustainable swimwear to locals, as well as tourists.
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The founders of the business wanted to make swimwear for everyone, so they created local designs made from recycled fabric for kids and adults
The process of creating the swimwear products involved their customers by taking their suggestions and feedback. Their designs are based on what people actually are looking for. For example, the founders ask children and their parents what kind of prints they want to see on their swimwear.
Lanala Swimwear also designs modest swimwear and discusses the cuts and colours women would like to wear. A lot of time and energy goes into creating the swimwear. The business comes out with a new collection once or twice a year.
Currently, because of the fast-growing business, Lanala Swimwear is becoming a full-time job. Many resorts are making customized swimwear with them. However, it is still difficult to live off just the company and support their family. They still need extra income elsewhere but the company is now self-sustainable without external investments.
The government has done many great things. For example, Authentic Maldives and other BCC initiatives are really great for small local companies like Lanala Swimwear. They are very grateful to be part of it!
However, the founders believe that small businesses like theirs have to pay GST just because they import the materials. It’s not possible to make the fabric and everything else required for the products in the Maldives, yet. So, they don’t have any other choice but to purchase materials from abroad.
Even other companies, which make jewellery and other products, face the same issues. Most materials are imported due to the limited local resources. So, the GST regulation for small businesses, especially those using sustainable materials, could be better/maybe lower for SMEs.
The founders of Lanala Swimwear also added that the government could help to give small businesses more support when it comes to us using recycled fabric, which is made from PET bottles and ocean plastics/ghost nets.
Check out more of their products on their Instagram page.
