My story

 

Hi, my names Sandra and i'm the Founder of More Than Swim UK. I design in Birmingham UK and handmake and source from other small UK based businesses.

I founded MTS after leaving  DeMontfort Universities Contour Design degree (a design degree based on swimwear, corsetry and lingerie, hence garments made to fit the "contours" of the body.) And handmaking lingerie at my trusty sewing machine and overlocker! (I also hand graded lingerie too but that's another story!)

I'm soo proud that my parents were apart of the Windrush generation. They are the reason I do what I do, they are the reason I can do what I do. 

They paved the way for me, my siblings and others despite arriving to country they didn't know, half way around the world. Life was not easy to say the least but they persevered. They wanted us to have a good education. Us learning a trade was important to them. 

My father always said do what you want but learn a trade. He said you could never go wring with a trade!! 

My father trained as a tailor before arriving in the UK from Jamaica in the 1960's. But became a lorry driver, and sacrificed his creative genius to carve out a future for me and my siblings.

Always resourceful, using your trusty Singer sewing machine to make our uniforms and Saville row worthy trousers for yourself, friends and family. 

His passing was the push I needed to focus on my art. I wanted to leave a legacy for him too.

I'm glad his at peace now and I hope his looking down on me with pride. I'd like him to know we're taking care of Mom ❤.

P.s. You can see how we've honoured his trusty Singer sewing machine in the photo 🖤.

That's one of the reasons I had to start a company where things were done right! He was way before his time interested fresh fruit and vegetables (organic teas, nature was considered our friend) he grew up in the farming community so we also had vegetables in our back garden and flowers at the front!

So here goes: I believe women should feel beautiful and confident wearing swimwear that also helps protect the environment they love and not destroy it. I create fabulous moodboosting prints that look gorgeous on every BODY!

I got the idea for More Than Swim because I was tired of the lack of representation of real women and real women's bodies in the swimwear that was being designed.

I knew that my favourite times on holiday as a child and growing up was at the beach in my classic swimsuit and I wanted to recreate this so all women could feel amazing.

I had to add a design twist; so I incorporated my lifelong love of animal print as a platform to highlight the plight of endangered spieces.

 

We as women shouldn't have to make a decision between our values and our style! They should come hand in hand!

That's what MTSUK stands for! How do I do this? By celebrating every BODY! And providing the best, through an ethical supply chain and by using the slow fashion model.

I have created a business model where we can ALL give back to our beautiful planet.

 

Picture of me looking super glamourous in my swim cap and goggles trialing our a new swimsuit for 2024!!