01 · 2013
Founded in Brooklyn
Gionna Nicole establishes Avid Swim in Brooklyn, New York.
PRESS & MEDIA
Inspired by culture.
Designed for the journey.
Luxury swim & resortwear inspired by culture and the art of travel.
Founded in Brooklyn in 2013 by designer Gionna Nicole, Avid Swim creates expressive, versatile pieces for women, men and children. Distinctive prints, reversible options and coordinated resort looks invite travelers to pack thoughtfully and explore in their own style.
Speaking & PartnershipsAVID SWIM · BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
CULTURE · TRAVEL · VERSATILITY · EXPRESSION
OUR STORY
Behind the Swim.
Inspired by the places we explore.
Made for the stories we carry home.
Avid Swim draws inspiration from the transformative power of travel: the cultures we encounter, the places we explore and the stories we carry home.
Founded in Brooklyn in 2013 and officially launched in 2015, the brand brings together luxury swimwear and resortwear with an emphasis on versatility, expressive design and thoughtful production. From reversible swim styles to relaxed resort sets and flowing dresses, Avid Swim creates pieces that can be styled across the moments of a getaway.
The collection includes options for women, men and children, with select coordinated looks for families. At its heart is a simple idea: a thoughtfully chosen travel wardrobe can offer more ways to wear, with less to pack.
Explore Avid SwimINTENTION IN EVERY PIECE
Designed with Purpose.
Avid Swim’s approach begins with intentional design and a primarily made-to-order production model. Producing in response to demand helps the brand manage quantities and limit excess inventory.
Versatility is central to the collection. Durability and continued wear guide the design process, while selected styles incorporate recycled fabrics. Material details should be referenced at the individual product level.
Made to order
Production guided by demand.
More ways to wear
Reversible options and adaptable separates.
Thoughtful choices
Select recycled fabrics and an emphasis on lasting use.
MEET THE FOUNDER
Gionna Nicole.
FOUNDER & DESIGNER · BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Gionna Nicole is the Brooklyn-based founder and designer behind Avid Swim, a Black-owned luxury swim and resortwear brand founded in Brooklyn in 2013. Her work brings together cultural curiosity, travel and versatile design, creating collections that reflect both a destination and the individual wearing them.
Through more than a decade of building an independent fashion business, Gionna has developed hands-on experience in product development, made-to-order operations, e-commerce, brand storytelling and retail partnerships. She is now extending that creative work through Passport to Ghana, a collaborative collection and documented journey with Ghanaian designers and artisans.
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE
Gionna’s professional experience includes design discovery and capsule-collection work with organizations including Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, LVMH and Ralph Lauren. She has also earned an LVMH luxury certificate.
Connect with GionnaA CREATIVE JOURNEY IN PROGRESS
Passport to Ghana.
ONE COLLECTION. FOUR COLLABORATIONS.
One collection.
Four creative collaborations.
A documented journey.
Passport to Ghana brings Avid Swim together with Ghanaian designers and artisans to develop one collection through four distinct creative partnerships. Each phase is being documented, sharing the people, techniques and cultural exchange behind the work.
The project spans swimwear, men’s resortwear, crochet and macramé handwork, and additional resort styles. Avid Swim is currently completing the first phase, focused on swimwear, with the remaining phases planned as part of the same collection.
Through shared design and authentic storytelling, Passport to Ghana aims to celebrate Ghanaian craftsmanship, connect African and diaspora creatives, and introduce the participating designers and artisans to wider audiences.
01 · Swimwear — Nearing completion
02 · Men’s resortwear — Planned
03 · Crochet, macramé & handwork — Planned
04 · Additional resort styles — Planned
EDITORIAL RECOGNITION
Selected Press.
& more.
THE JOURNEY SO FAR
Brand milestones.
20+ independent retailers have carried Avid Swim.
02 · 2014
Fashion 500 honoree
Gionna Nicole is recognized as a Fashion 500 honoree.
03 · 2015
The official launch
Avid Swim officially launches. The initial collection sells out within days.
04 · 2016
First CFDA NYFW show
Avid Swim presents its first CFDA New York Fashion Week show, sponsored by Harper’s Bazaar.
05 · 2017
A return to New York Fashion Week
Avid Swim presents its second CFDA NYFW show.
06 · 2017
A burkini on a global stage
Avid Swim presents a burkini swimsuit on a global stage for the first time in the brand’s history.
07 · 2019
The men’s collection
Avid Swim launches its men’s collection, extending its expressive approach to swim and resortwear.
08 · 2020
Connecting with ESSENCE
Avid Swim works with ESSENCE magazine and the Shop ESSENCE platform.
09 · 2022
Miami Swim Week
Avid Swim presents at Miami Swim Week with PARAISO and The Riviere Agency.
10 · 2023
Blaze Business Award
Avid Swim wins Best in Apparel at the 2023 Blaze Business Awards.
11 · 2023
Do It Anyway
Gionna speaks on the “Do It Anyway” panel during New York Fashion Week, discussing longevity in creative entrepreneurship.
12 · 2024
Art meets resortwear
Avid Swim works with Taona House, a visual artist collective, to develop its second collaborative collection for Art Basel in Miami.
13 · 2024
Passport to Ghana begins
Avid Swim starts Passport to Ghana: one collection developed through four creative collaborations, with each phase documented.
14 · 2025
Sustainable Style
Gionna speaks on the “Sustainable Style” panel at the New York Fashion eCommerce Summit, organized by Retail Summits, discussing sustainability at the design phase, versatile products and quality over trends.
15 · 2025
Learning, growing & giving back
Gionna is selected for and graduates from the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women program, and mentors other participants.
16 · 2025
Community & editorial recognition
Avid Swim participates in the She Did That Brooklyn market for a third year and is featured by HelloBeautiful.
17 · 2026
A swim lounge in Atlanta
Avid Swim hosts a swim lounge in Atlanta during the ICIC conference, introducing the Passport to Ghana project.
18 · 2026
A summer on Martha’s Vineyard
Avid Swim joins Maison Black’s summer residency on Martha’s Vineyard and participates in Black Fashion Weekend. Every drop during the Maison Black summer residency sells out.
LET’S START A CONVERSATION
Ideas to share.
Connections to build.
Speaking, Mentorship & Creative Partnerships
Gionna is available for conversations, panels, workshops and mentorship centered on the practical experience of building an independent fashion brand.
For media interviews, speaking invitations, designer mentorship, creative collaborations or retail partnerships, connect with Avid Swim.
Contact Avid SwimSUGGESTED CONVERSATION TOPICS
Building a made-to-order fashion business
Product planning, production decisions and customer expectations.
Designing for the modern traveler
Versatility, reversible styles and coordinated resort wardrobes.
Culture and creative collaboration
Shared design and authentic storytelling through Passport to Ghana.
Independent brand growth
Lessons from e-commerce, brand positioning and retail relationships.
The founder’s journey
Building and sustaining a Black-owned fashion business.
PRESS RESOURCES & CONTACT
Your next story starts here.
For founder interviews, brand information, photography and collaboration inquiries.
