24yo’s bikini brand solves common problem

A Melbourne-based designer began making her own bikinis after struggling to find ones that were supportive and flattering.

For Evie Ganikis, the founder of the made-to-order swimwear brand Doxxia, the journey to building a successful business began at her grandmother’s kitchen table.

Frustrated by the lack of stylish, well-fitting bikinis for bustier women, she took matters into her own hands — quite literally.

With her Yiayia, a skilled seamstress, by her side, Ms Ganikis learned to sew and created her first bikini pattern at age 20.

She began selling them via Instagram, and now, four years later, her Melbourne-based label is making waves online, resonating with thousands of women who have long struggled to find flattering, supportive swimwear.

The power of social media

“I’ve always thought about becoming a designer since I was little,” she tells news.com.au. “I aspired to have something of my own, and I’ve always been quite creative”.

Now, she has been successful enough to commit to her business full-time, managing every aspect of the label herself, from designing and sewing to marketing and customer service.

Much of Doxxia’s success can be attributed to TikTok, where Ms Ganikis has built a vibrant community by sharing her experiences and behind-the-scenes insights into her creative process.

“TikTok has been a game changer,” she says. “I think people really connect with others being genuine and themselves, and TikTok allows that”.

It helped her reach international markets like the US and the UK and experience a surge in sales — last December, Doxxia tripled its revenue compared to the previous year.

Evie Ganikis started Doxxia when she was just 20 years old. Picture: TikTok/evieganikis

Designing for curves

Before launching her brand, Ms Ganikis discovered that most bikinis catering to fuller busts were either extremely expensive or geared towards an older demographic.

“I hit puberty around 13, which was tough,” she recalls. “I found it really hard to find things that were appropriate for my age, and nothing would fit the way it needed to.

“So shopping would always be such a distressing experience. One time, I had a bikini that dug into my neck so much that I started bleeding.”

It’s these experiences that have shaped Doxxia’s products, which are available in cup sizes A to H and sizes 6 to 18.

Her pieces feature a range of thoughtfully designed details with comfort in mind, including thicker straps for support, customisable fits, and fabrics that mould to the body without digging in.

She wanted to create swimwear that catered to women with larger busts. Picture: TikTok/evieganikis

Some designs can even be tied in a way that alleviates pressure from the neck or back, distributing it more evenly across the shoulders.

The Kirby top, one of the brand’s bestsellers, was created specifically for women with smaller waists and larger busts, allowing customers to choose separate waist and bust sizes for a customised fit.

As for design inspiration, she draws from vintage film photos of her mum, aunty, and grandmother in Greece in the ‘90s.

“I try to look more inward rather than drawing inspiration from what’s trending,” she says.

The Kirby top is designed for women with unique proportions. Picture: Doxxia

Keeping it affordable

It’s essential for Ms Ganikis to keep costs low, with her bikini tops and bottoms priced between $40 and $110.

“I priced the bikinis based on how long it takes me to make them and how much the materials cost,” she says. “I look for ways to cut costs and produce them in a prompt manner”.

While her Yiayia still assists with some of the structural aspects of sewing, Doxxia primarily remains a one-woman brand.

“That’s why I’m able to keep costs a bit lower at this point, because I’m essentially doing everything myself rather than outsourcing,” she notes.

Evie started her business from her grandmother’s basement. Picture: TikTok/evieganikis

“Confident in your own skin”

Sewing for hours on end some days, she finds immense fulfilment when she receives messages from customers who tell her that her bikinis are the best they’ve worn.

“That keeps me going,” she says.

“I love that I can help women feel empowered. It’s so important to feel comfortable at the beach and to feel confident in your own skin.

“I look to the women in my life from older generations and realise that our bodies are our vehicles, and we are incredibly lucky to have a body that does so much for us.

“I want people to remember that everything about our bodies serves a purpose, and to just embrace that.”

She plans to make clothing in the future and expand her team. Picture: Doxxia

Challenges and future plans

Even setbacks — like a fast-fashion brand copying one of her designs — haven’t discouraged her.

“They even used my actual photographs,” she says. “It was disappointing, but I contacted them telling them they infringed on the copyright of the photo, and they took the item down”.

Looking ahead, Ms Ganikis hopes to eventually build a team and get her products into small boutiques in Melbourne.

She also plans to expand into resort wear for women with larger busts.

For anyone considering starting their own business, Ms Ganikis advises “just start”.

“You can easily overthink it, but just take the first step because it will never be perfect, and done is better than perfect,” she says.

“Get the ball rolling as soon as possible, because the longer you wait, the more you’ll regret it.”

Originally published as 24yo’s bikini brand solves common problem