Amanda and Emily took their sustainable swimwear business to the next level thanks to seed funding from the Retail Trust and Hammerson. Their innovative brand, SKYA, features ethically manufactured products made from regenerated nylon and post-consumer waste found in the ocean, while its social media platforms educate customers on sustainable fashion and promote body confidence. Seed funding enabled the GCU graduates to set up a website and invest in sustainable packaging, successfully launching their first collection. Although the pandemic has impacted orders in recent months, SKYA is confidently preparing for the launch of its second collection in 2021.
“We have always wanted to be entrepreneurs and thanks to the award, our dreams are becoming a reality. The seed funding has played a hugely significant part in helping to market our brand, and this has helped us gain more exposure and ultimately increased our consumers. We have also expanded our range of colours and designs allowing us to appeal to a wider audience. We want to say a huge thank you to the Retail Trust and Hammerson for helping to give our business the push it needed and for believing in us and our brand concept.”
