This week, Emirates Woman speaks to Ellie Clark, the founder of Capala Swim, on how she launched her brand.

Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.

The print on every single garment is entirely unique… no two items are the same. Above all, Clark’s passion for my swimwear brand is driven by a desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives. She believes that when we feel confident and comfortable in our own skin. As we are free to live our lives to the fullest. That’s why she’s committed to creating swimsuits that empower people to be their best selves – in and out of the water.

To delve into her story, Emirates Woman spoke to her, to see how her journey in the swimwear industry began.

What was your favourite subject at school?

It’s between Maths and Design & Technology. I loved the problem solving side of Maths and how there was always a clear answer—either a yes or a no. At the same time, Design & Technology had me creating dresses to things as random as bird boxes. I didn’t fully trust my creativity back then, in hindsight I should’ve given myself way more credit.

What was your first job?

I started as an Apprentice Accountant at a Freight Company in London. Once I’d finished school, my friends went off to university, but I knew it wasn’t for me. I wanted to dive straight in, gain experience, and start earning. The entrepreneurs I’ve always looked up to didn’t enrol in higher education—they were out there building their networks, taking risks, and learning on the job. I’ve always admired the idea of forging your own path and I knew that real world experience would teach me things no classroom could.

What inspired you to start your brand?

It started when I was young, I had a crazy obsession with swimwear, I wanted the brightest prints and the coolest designs, different to what everyone else had. As I got older I noticed there weren’t many swimwear brands offering cool prints and unique designs that were of a high quality without the crazy price tag. After treating myself to one of those extortionately priced bikinis, I realised how much of a difference a good fit could make. That feeling inspired me to create my own designs and try to bring something new to the market.

Do you see any opportunities in Dubai, if so – tell us more.

For sure! I think it’s super important to grow Capala in Dubai. Dubai’s market offers unmatched potential for us. Not just because it’s a travel hub, but mainly due to the fashion-forward consumer base there that values unique, high quality designs – perfect for our bold and unique pieces. Not only that, Dubai’s location bridges Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, making it a game-changer for brand expansion. I’m super excited about the opportunity to grow Capala’s presence in Dubai.

Talk us through the concept.

Capala is all about creating bold, unique resort and swimwear that people feel confident and comfortable in. I focus on prints that will make people look twice, paired with distinctive shapes that are simple to tan in but always with a twist. It’s all about making everyone feel unique. For our print designs, each piece we sell in is cut from a different part of the fabric, meaning no two pieces are the same.

What are the key elements of your role?

I wear a lot of hats – I handle everything from designing collections and overseeing production to running the marketing and the social media side of things. There’s also the behind-the-scenes work, like managing budgets, customer feedback, and constantly looking for ways to improve. It’s a mix of creativity and problem-solving, you have to be prepared to jump from one thing to another.

Talk us through your daily routine.

I usually start with a morning workout like Pilates, followed by a much needed coffee and catching up on emails. My days can vary—whether it’s planning our social feed, maintaining our adverts, editing content, on location for a shoot or designing new pieces. When I design I try to take myself away for inspiration, it’s hard to get inspiration sitting at a desk. I try to balance creative tasks with the business side. I don’t have much of an evening away from my laptop!

What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?

Don’t be afraid to start before you feel ready. You’ll figure things out as you go, I did. I had no marketing plan, just 1500 units sitting in my house. Personally, I think the key to Capala’s success in our first 18 months is that I invested in learning the things I didn’t know—whether it was through research or finding people who can help. I worked hard with multiple jobs on the side of Capala to be able to afford a marketing consultant when I launched. Due to my background being accounting, I went into my launch extremely blind when it came to that side running a successful business. Lastly, you need patience paired with resilience. Not everything will work, be passionate and keep going.

Tell us more about the products/services.

Capala offers swimwear and resort wear with a focus on high-quality materials and unique designs. Our latest Swimwear drops are made from REPREVE fabric, which is crafted from recycled plastic. Each piece is designed to stand out and fit beautifully, empowering women when some can feel their most vulnerable.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

“Focus on your journey, not someone else’s timeline.” It’s easy to get caught up comparing yourself to others, but staying true to your own path is what brings success. Comparison is the thief of all joy!

And what is the worst?

Play it safe. If I’d listened to that, I wouldn’t have taken the leap to start Capala, I also wouldn’t be where I am now. Life is a gamble, nothing is worth living life with a “what if?” I’d rather lose it all than not try and regret it in years to come.

What’s the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?

The biggest challenge has been balancing everything & trusting my gut—especially since I’m new to the fashion world. I didn’t come from a design background, so it’s been a learning curve figuring out production, marketing, and managing a business all at once.

What lies ahead for the brand?

I want Capala to grow into a go to brand for resort wear and swimwear, a staple in everyone’s wardrobe. I’m also focusing on expanding into new markets and our resort wear range as we’ve been predominantly focusing on our swim launches to perfect this side of the brand until now. There’s a lot of exciting things ahead, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

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Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Instagram Feature Image: @capalaswim