Paola Amador Swimwear

Meet Paola Amador, a Mexican designer whose swimwear and bodysuits burst with the essence of travel, culture, and bold self-expression. Since launching her brand in 2009 from her coastal roots in San Carlos, Sonora, Paola has reimagined beachwear with vibrant, custom designs that defy convention. In this heartfelt interview, we explore the spark that ignited her global e-commerce journey, her creative process, and the Mexican heritage woven into every piece. Visit Paola Amador to discover how her designs empower and inspire across the globe.

Paola, your brand is a love letter to travel, vibrant cultures, and Mexican craftsmanship. Can you take us back to 2009 when you started this journey? What sparked the idea to launch your own fashion brand, and how did selling on social media shape those early days?

I create my brand because I want the swimwear in different colours or other prints I didn't like the cuts, patterns I start change everything of the normal bikini or swimsuit, and know many women couldn't order the bikini in different sizes, actually, I used to live on the beach (San Carlos, Sonora) and then I moved to Guadalajara. I use to travel a lot, and for me, every trip I was thinking a lot on my look beach and every travel means a lot of pictures for social media I start to upload the designs on a mannequin and then the people start to follow me and add on Facebook, was crazy because also the algorithm worked different on that time. I started to receive orders from social media, received girls at my apartment, then I opened a store for 13 years in one of the best areas of Guadalajara in Providencia.

Your designs are bold, versatile, and scream wanderlust. How do your personal experiences—living between London and Guadalajara, being a mom, and married to a chef—influence the aesthetic and spirit of your swimwear and bodysuits? 

First I try to find the balance on my personal life, because if everything is good, the mind is better and works much better, I can explore more and be more creative, sometimes is hard but not impossible, I try to design for every type of body, for every style of women, also for a different countries, I know perfect every women is different is challenging.

Founder Paola

The “La Creme” bikini collection, with its 1960s-inspired achromatic vibes, is such a standout. What’s the story behind this collection, and how do you decide which cultural or historical elements to weave into your designs?

The story about this collection is that I was thinking to change the way of my designs and colours, I used this quiet colours (for me) because I know many people in the uk, europe, they don't like colourful stuff and also I use more classics designs like not too much bows, ruffles, etc. So this was the way to get the attention. Since I started my brand, I always sell high-waist bottom I think is the most comfty bottom for many girls, that is why I include it a lot in thins collection.

Your swimsuits that double as bodysuits are genius—perfect for the beach or a night out. What’s the creative process like when designing pieces that are so multi-functional, and how do you ensure they flatter all body types?

My principal proposal is to create more eco-tips for the people, because we really need to be more conscious. I think all bodysuits and swimsuits are for all types of bodies.  For the city, you can mix it with skirts, trousers or just solo for the beach. And also, this idea, I think, is better for your closet to have a piece that you can use more than only one season.

Customisation is a big part of your brand, letting customers pick colours or seasonal prints. What’s the most unexpected or fun custom request you’ve ever received, and how does this hands-on approach strengthen your connection with your customers? 

I started in Mexico with customisation, because I know many girls wanted more options and in that time I was the only swimwear designer who start that in mexico,  so I met a lot of people on my journey with different types of bodies, and I always try to be at my store to help them, because I know how difficult is sometimes to choose a swimsuit so I was there helping and learning because many people give to me many ideas of designs or how to get better ideas.

As a proud Mexican designer, you emphasize 100% Mexican-made products. Can you share what this commitment means to you and how you collaborate with local artisans to bring your vision to life?

I'm gonna keep my work always in Mexico, because those people helped me when I started, I've been working with the same people since I started my brand, of course, I want to bring more culture, more work for my country, because I know they need it. They believed in me when I said to them one day we're gonna sell our products around the world, it took me some years, but we finally made it.

Let’s talk fashion fails or funny moments! Have you ever had a design that didn’t quite work out as planned, or a memorable moment from your decade running a physical store that still makes you laugh? 

When I started my brand I didn't have labels on the bikinis and I had another name on my brand because if the brand didn't work it I just close the brand, and nobody knows was me, so one day I arrive to my store and one girl who hates me was there (because the ex boyfriend), when she saw me, she just transform his face she was in shock, she didn't know I  the designer, she bought the swimwear but never come back, she was very good customer, she used to buy every month.

It happens to me sometimes, when I think one design is gonna be successful and is not, and the design I think is probably not the best is the most seller. When I close the store during pandemic for one month of course like everybody was so sad and I was thinking to close the brand, so when I reopened the store was crazy because just before I close I make and amazing collection and we work a lot with ads, that is why was crazy when I open and of course I was feeling guilty for the situation but very happy because I almost close on day time like many companies.

Your brand has a strong social media presence, with over 20,000 fans on Facebook alone. How do you balance being a designer, entrepreneur, and storyteller on platforms like Instagram to keep your audience hooked?

That's my personal account, my brand on Facebook have 166 000 followers, on Instagram 39k I started social media very early, is a lot of investment, because create content cost money, and ads more, sometimes works a lot, sometimes is quiet, my life depends on the algorithm, but I think social media is important for all business, now is part of my brand. In this era the people can know my work easily, and a new person finds my brand every day. I'm trying to keep it organic and real, I love to create collections, make productions and marketing. When you love what you do, it is easier.

Looking ahead, what’s next for Paola Amador? Are there new collections, markets, or maybe even a venture into other fashion categories (like accessories or resort wear) on the horizon? 

My new collection is now ready, I named it DOTS. I'm using the print polka dots now, which is super trending right now, but also is a print that my brand has always had because it is a classic. Also, I'm creating a new concept, "Dresses for the British weather", looking for the best quick-dry fabric. I'm making experiments and samples. I'm from the desert of Mexico (Sonora), so for me, this is not normal. This idea was born when I arrived at fashion week and it was raining, of course, I knew I could use the umbrella, but this was not enough, and sometimes it is supposed to be raining, so with these dresses you can be prepared for this weather. I'm open to designing anything, beachwear, sport, etc.

If you could dress anyone in the world in a custom Paola Amador piece—living or historical, real or fictional—who would it be, and what would their dream swimsuit or bodysuit look like?

I would like to work with many girls like Rita Ora, Victoria Beckham, Cara Delevingne.

Paola Amador’s journey shines with passion, grit, and a fierce devotion to her Mexican heritage. From social media beginnings to a worldwide brand crafting 100% Mexican-made pieces, her designs fuse style, versatility, and inclusivity. With her bold “DOTS” collection and “Dresses for the British Weather” on the horizon, her vision continues to soar. Shop her wanderlust-inspired creations at Paola Amador