Nicosia, Cyprus. Childhood friends Anna and Eftyhia have launched anef swim, a sustainable swimwear brand developed after their travels in Southeast Asia inspired them to create products focused on confidence, comfort and timeless design.
The two Cyprus-born founders said they identified an opportunity in the local market, which they found was largely dominated by larger international swimwear brands.
From school friends to business partners
Anna and Eftyhia met at school in Cyprus when they were 15 and remained friends through shared classes. They later followed similar paths abroad, both studying at the University of Manchester.
Before beginning their careers, they travelled together for three months across Southeast Asia. Their visit to Bali and other destinations exposed them to boutique brands producing distinctive, sustainably designed items.
Identifying a market gap
On returning to Cyprus, the pair decided to develop a swimwear brand offering an alternative to established international labels.
They said their aim was to create swimwear designed to celebrate women’s bodies, support confidence and provide comfort and support.
Learning the fashion industry
Neither founder had prior experience in fashion, requiring them to develop their knowledge of design, technical drawings and manufacturing from the beginning.
They spent months conducting research, following tutorials and teaching themselves the skills needed to turn their ideas into products. From the outset, they said they sought to combine style with practicality in their designs.
