If you don’t know the swimwear brand MIKOH, you should. Sisters Oleema and Kalani Miller co-founded the brand a decade ago, and the partners recently celebrated the label’s 10th anniversary at the PARAISO Fashion Fair in Miami Beach with a runway show with actor Ryan Phillippe sitting front row that paid tribute to 1920s and 1930s Hawaii using vintage surf films as the backdrop while hula dancers opened the show. Oleema handles the business, while Kalani handles design. The sisters grew up in a family of surfers in San Clemente, California, and their swimsuits have even been featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Their designs — which also include a number of ready-to-wear pieces — can easily go from the beach or pool to a night out with the right accessories. I quizzed Oleema and Kalani on MIKOH, how to pick the right bathing suit, and how they’ve evolved after 10 years in the fashion business.
Why did you decide to start a swimwear brand a decade ago?
Kalani Miller: We decided to start MIKOH when we were just 19 and 21 years old to create something that was missing from the market that was special, unique and would make a splash in the swim industry. We were both young, naïve, and determined to pave a path for our future careers that would involve something that we love every single day. We grew up in bikinis and on the beach, so it felt natural to include something from our everyday lives into our career.
Oleema Miller: All throughout my life, I have always taken the road less traveled. We were encouraged from a very young age to follow whatever dreams or aspirations we had, and that we could achieve anything with hard work and determination. Our parents have been the most supportive people in our lives since day one and we owe so much of our success to them.
What is it like working with your sister?
OM: Working with Kalani is the best part of our business. They say never mix business with family, but this couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to my sister and me. Sharing the bond as sisters, best friends, and also as business partners just makes life and our careers that much more rewarding. We have the perfect balance and division of responsibilities. I’m the head designer and handle all things creative, while Kalani runs the business side of MIKOH. We’re able to bounce ideas off of one another while still maintaining separation in our roles which makes for the best type of partnership.
How did being a professional surfer inform the label?
OM: Having a true authentic background as a surfer has completely shaped MIKOH’s brand identity. I’m able to incorporate functionality into the design by creating pieces that work perfectly for surfing, while still being fashion-forward and fresh. The surf industry was an incredible one in which to grow up and we learned so much from every photoshoot, trade show, trip, and meeting we attended as just young girls into our teenage years. I had no idea at the time that we would be soaking up as much information as we did, which we were able to apply to our business when we first started.
You’re still thriving 10 years after starting MIKOH. How has the swimwear scene changed since then, and how has the brand evolved?
OM: I had no idea that ten years of business would go by as fast as it has. To have had a business throughout my twenties and now into my thirties has been the most rewarding and life changing experience, and I couldn’t imagine it any other way. We were just young girls with big aspirations when we started and to be honest, that same drive and determination is still at the core of who we are. The swimwear industry has changed immensely since we first began — I cannot tell you how many brands have exploded onto the scene with incredible success, and how many new brands are emerging. It has been quite the rollercoaster and learning experience to have a business at such an important time of life as a young woman and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. To be able to share those learning experiences and successes alongside my sister has been one of the best parts of life. In a lot of ways, MIKOH has grown up as I have grown up. The aesthetic, the overall branding, and the core of what MIKOH is and what we stand for has always been the same since day one. However, the fits, designs, and who I design for has progressed in a lot of ways since I have evolved as young woman. Watching the brand flourish from where it started to what it is now is something that I am so proud of and feel so grateful to have experienced.
Describe MIKOH’s aesthetic.
OM: MIKOH is sleek, modern, and fresh, yet very approachable. MIKOH is simple, yet has these unexpected details that make each piece special. There is such fluidity from the actual styles of clothing and swimwear, to our hang tags, branding, website, and social media. Having this clean and sleek approach to branding allows the pieces in the line to truly stand out. The collection always has such a vast array of colors — a beautiful neutral palette paired with bright, fun colors that really make everything pop. There is nothing I love more than our prints. I pride myself in hand designing them all and seeing them come to life. Our collections never need a huge explanation, and I’d like to think they always speak for themselves.
Who is the brand’s target market?
OM: We make everything from our MINI collection for little girls, to beautiful swimwear and clothing for women of all ages. I am so proud that we offer such a vast array of fits — all the way from those wanting a very cheeky look, to those seeking more of a modest approach. Often times, I think a lot of women perceive MIKOH as a collection for just young girls, but in actuality, I’d say more women are wearing MIKOH in their thirties and forties. Our pieces fit so beautifully and I am proudest of the quality and detail that goes into making each piece. Our target is more of a lifestyle or state of mind than a specific age group. Our collection is meant to evoke a sense of relaxation, of being on vacation, and of feeling confident, brave, and ready to make a statement. Being that we make so many different fits, we’re able to create styles for women of all ages and body types. There is nothing I love more than seeing three different generations of women wearing MIKOH on the beach — that is what makes all of the hard work worth it.
What makes MIKOH stand out from other swimwear brands?
OM: I think having been in the business for a decade has allowed us to build a loyal following who knows they can come to us each season for their classic fits as well as something fresh that they haven’t seen before. We have earned this trust from continually making beautiful, quality pieces that last more than one swim season and can go from year to year without being too “on trend” or too “of the moment.” I love to create pieces that are timeless enough that can transcend just a summer and are able to be worn for years to come.
KO: Our background and story is authentic — something that is rare these days. We truly grew up in the ocean and on the beach and have a deep understanding and respect for the swim industry. I think this is something that is apparent in our branding, our story, and every single thing we do. We have such an amazing story to tell; to be able to do so in a creative way and in this setting is truly remarkable. The women who we started alongside in this market are now some of our best friends and I think having mutual respect for one another is what allows all of us to encourage and be there for each other. Life is all about supporting and respecting one another, and being each other’s cheerleaders – having this mentality truly makes each of us successful.
What is trending in swimwear at the moment?
OM: The swimwear marketplace is ever-growing and trends happen so quickly. I try not to pay attention to the trends, but rather focus on classic, beautiful and fresh styles that I know the MIKOH girl and woman would want to wear. Staying true to our core aesthetic without losing sight of our original design foundation has been the key to success in my eyes. I love creating pieces that have small nods to the trends while maintaining the cuts, fits, and quality that MIKOH has had since day one.
Do you have any tips for picking the right swimsuit?
OM: I would definitely say to choose pieces that are right for your body type. There are always so many trends going on, which a lot of women tend to follow rather than going with something that flatters and fits beautifully. Instead of choosing a style because it’s of the moment, I would stick to one that fits well and accessorize it with statement earrings, fun sunnies, and a cool hat.
How important is sustainability to you? Where do you practice it in the label?
KM: Sustainability is one of the biggest topics in the fashion and manufacturing world. We are constantly trying to figure out ways to make less of an impact on our planet and to be more “green”. One of our methods is repurposing all leftover materials from each season to create pieces that we can donate to charities and non-profit organizations. Just recently, we created rash guards for the entire island of Oahu’s Junior Lifeguard Program using prints and fabrics from past seasons. It was so rewarding to see the joy on all of the kids’ faces as they received their customized rash guards that they could all wear proudly. Any time we’re able to repurpose our materials while also giving back to the community is such a win-win for us.
What’s next for MIKOH?
OM: The joy in having no formal business background, no rule book, and being our own boss, is that the world is still our oyster and this life is something that we are constantly creating. We both possess the same love and determination we had a decade ago, and I know that there are infinite possibilities for what lies ahead. Having my sister at my side, as well as the support and love of our family and our peers truly makes anything possible. Celebrating ten years of MIKOH this year makes me excited for when we will be celebrating twenty. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next ten.
