This week, we speak to sisters Helaina and Chloe, the co-founders of Tucca Swim, the tropical swimwear brand.

Tucca Swim’s designs bring tropical aesthetics to life, featuring bold prints and signature knottie elements. With one sister now embarking on a new life in Dubai, their collections embody a fusion of wanderlust and innovation, redefining swimwear for the modern traveller.

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.

To delve into the co-founders story, Emirates Woman sat down with her to see how their label began.

What was your favourite subject at school?

Art, Textiles & languages. We are both creative individuals, which led to our university studies of photography and textile design. We also loved Spanish lessons as we grew up spending all holidays in the Balearic Island of Mallorca where our love for travel and swimwear begun.

What was your first job?

CT: My first job was working in a commercial photography studio in London as a photography assistant. I’ve always thrived from having a portfolio career and having multiple jobs – I also worked part time in a swimwear and lingerie boutique where I learnt so much about the swimwear industry.

HT: After University, my first job was a design studio assistant for a super yacht company. This sounds super glamorous – but there was certainly no time to sunbathe on the top deck.

What brought you to Dubai?

HT: So, I live here now. The lifestyle that Dubai offers is very appealing, and I was ready for a change.

CT: I operate more of the day-to day running of Tucca Swim than Helaina, we started the brand in 2018 and have had jobs on the side of running the brand. We are hoping with one of us living here now, it will open doors to new opportunities for Tucca Swim which we are very excited about.

What inspired you to enter the space and your brand?

We just love swimwear. For us, it’s everything. Growing up in Mallorca, wearing so much swimwear and the excitement it brought us each season was just magical. From such a young age, we were obsessed with bikinis and as we grew up, we dreamed about a brand called ‘Tucca’ and it had to be swimwear. Our love of travel, memories of those summers, and the bond of sisterhood inspired us to turn that dream into reality and launch a swimwear brand.

 

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A post shared by Tucca Swim® (@tuccaswim)

Talk us through the concept?

Holiday Swimwear for the modern traveller.  The concept is Multiway – we are known for Multiway Styles – pack light and wear more. We designed the Multiway Bikini which is an interchangeable reversible bikini top and bottom assemble which is our best-selling style. Each bikini has a loop end finish so you can adjust it from a halter neck to a regular strap. We have expanded our styles over the years to offer swimsuits, underwired sets and resort wear. The concept is Travel – many people like to travel in style and the same goes for their holiday wardrobe. We focus on timeless, vibrant, print-driven designs that stand out on the beach and look fabulous in and out of the water.

The concept is Sustainable – Sustainability is at the core of our brand. We work with ECONYL®, a regenerated nylon made from waste materials like discarded fishing nets and fabric scraps. This eco-friendly fabric is soft, durable, and resistant to saltwater and chlorine, offering UPF 50+ protection.

Tucca Swim

What are the key elements of your role?

We do it all and more! It has been amazing to work together as sisters and to both bring different strengths to the table. Helaina oversees production, manufacturing, and finances, while I manage social media, website design, and customer service. Together, we collaborate on designing each collection, which is the most enjoyable part of the process.

Talk us through your daily routine.

We start our day with some form of exercise—running or walking our Cavapoo, Willow—to get into a positive mindset. No two days are alike, but right now, we’re focused on securing pop-up opportunities in Dubai and reaching out to retailers for partnerships. We also keep a close eye on manufacturing and ensure our social media remains active and always engaging.

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

Go for it. Life is too short to hold back. Do your research, identify a unique selling point, and carve out your own space in the market.

Tell us more about the products/services?

Our collections are available worldwide on our website. We manufacture in London and Portugal, focusing on quality and longevity. Beyond swimwear, we also offer accessories, beachwear, and jewellery to create a one-stop shop for all your holiday essentials.

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

“You’ve got to go for it” – Advice from our parents who are our biggest supporters.

And what is the worst?

“The market is too saturated.” We’ve always believed there’s room for everyone. The swimwear industry is full of diversity, and we genuinely admire other brands’ unique contributions. Everyone has their own path, and we’re thrilled to be part of shaking up the market.

 

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A post shared by Tucca Swim® (@tuccaswim)

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

CT: We had a huge challenge at the start of the brand where our brand name ‘Tucca Swim’ was under risk of us having to change the brand name. At the time, it was so upsetting as ‘Tucca’ is Helaina’s childhood nickname and for us it held much more sentimental value than just a name. We had to fight for it and luckily, we overcame it and did not have to change the brand name.

What’s lies ahead for the brand?

We’re excited for what 2025 has in store! Last year’s growth was phenomenal, and as we expand our collections, we’re reaching new audiences. We’re planning to host a Dubai pop-up and establish partnerships with retailers across the globe.We’ve already collaborated with Anthropologie in Dubai Mall and are actively seeking stockists worldwide. Every day brings something new, and we’re always discovering fresh inspiration.

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Images: Supplied & feature image: Instagram @alicelucybradley