From Dream to Reality: Creating a Sustainable Swimwear Brand with Ashley-Victora Smith, Voglia Swimwear

What if your next big idea came to you in a dream? For some, dreams fade away by morning, but for today’s guest on The Wild Party Podcast, a single vision transformed into a thriving, eco-conscious business.

Ashley-Victoria Smith, founder of Voglia Swimwear, had a clear and vivid dream that changed her path forever. After years in the fashion industry as a model, pageant queen, and fashion show producer, she felt a calling for something more—something with purpose. In the middle of personal and professional crossroads, she found inspiration in her sleep. What started as a dream became a mission: to create a sustainable swimwear brand that doesn’t just look good but does good for the planet.

The Dream That Sparked a Business

Ashley-Victoria’s entrepreneurial journey began with a vision so real she could hear, see, and even smell it. Models strutted down a runway in NASA-inspired swimwear, steam rising like a spaceship had just landed, and Nicki Minaj’s Starships playing in the background. She knew immediately that this was more than just a dream—it was a message.

But the dream itself wasn’t enough. Bringing it to life required research, resilience, and a commitment to sustainability that went beyond just creating stylish bikinis.

Sustainability at the Core of Voglia Swimwear

Voglia, which means wish in Italian, isn’t just another swimwear brand. Ashley-Victoria built it with sustainability at its core. Each piece is made from Econyl, a regenerated nylon derived from discarded fishing nets and ocean waste. The fabric, sourced from Italy, ensures high-quality swimwear while actively contributing to ocean conservation.

Beyond the materials, sustainability is embedded into every aspect of the brand—biodegradable packaging, ethical manufacturing, and a commitment to One Tree Planted, an organization that plants a tree for every product sold.

“It’s not just about sustainable swimwear; it’s about educating consumers on reducing fashion waste and making smarter choices,” she says.

The Challenges of Building a Business with Purpose

Despite her passion and vision, Ashley-Victoria faced challenges, including securing inventory for wholesale opportunities, navigating sustainable sourcing, and finding the right marketing strategies.

One major lesson? Wholesale success requires upfront inventory. Initially, she believed retailers would place orders and then provide the funds for manufacturing. Instead, she realized she needed inventory in advance—a costly but valuable lesson in business growth.

Another key takeaway was the importance of slow fashion. Unlike fast-fashion brands that produce multiple collections a year, Voglia Swimwear releases just one carefully curated collection annually. This model ensures higher quality, exclusivity, and a longer product lifespan.

“This isn’t just about selling swimsuits; it’s about creating something meaningful and lasting,” she explains. “Fast fashion isn’t sustainable. We have to retrain consumer habits to value quality over quantity.”

Marketing with Authenticity: Influencer Strategy and Brand Transparency

Social media and influencer collaborations play a huge role in Voglia Swimwear’s growth, but Ashley-Victoria is selective about who represents her brand. She looks beyond follower counts, ensuring each influencer aligns with Voglia’s sustainable mission.

“If their feed is full of fast fashion hauls and plastic cups at parties, they’re not for us,” she states. “We need partners who truly believe in sustainability—not just looking for a free bikini.”

Her transparency extends beyond influencer partnerships. Every decision in her brand is intentional, from choosing ethical manufacturers to eliminating unnecessary plastic in packaging. She firmly believes that bigger brands have the resources to make these changes—but choose not to.

“It’s frustrating because the tools and solutions are there,” she says. “More brands should be stepping up.”

Advice for Entrepreneurs: “Suck It Up and Do the Work”

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Ashley-Victoria doesn’t sugarcoat the journey. Success isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about perseverance, grit, and sacrifice.

“How bad do you want it?” she challenges. “You have to be willing to adjust every part of your life—your finances, relationships, time management. If you’re not willing to lose to gain, then business ownership isn’t for you.”

She also introduced a powerful concept: the failure funnel. Inspired by engineers who test multiple ideas before finding success, she applies the same principle to business.

“You’re going to hear ‘no’ a lot,” she says. “The key is to keep pushing until you get that one ‘yes’ that changes everything.”

The Future of Voglia Swimwear

Ashley-Victoria is preparing to debut her newest collection at Miami Swim Week this May—an exciting milestone after setbacks and delays. She continues to stay focused on building Voglia Swimwear into a brand that not only looks good but actively contributes to a healthier planet.

Her advice to fellow business owners? Take the shot. Whether it’s pitching a boutique, applying for a feature, or reaching out for a collaboration, the worst outcome is a ‘no’—and that just means you’re one step closer to a ‘yes.’

Take a Swim

Ashley-Victoria’s journey proves that a single dream—combined with relentless dedication—can transform into something powerful. Voglia Swimwear is more than just bikinis; it’s a movement toward sustainability, ethical fashion, and changing consumer habits for the better.

Want to support sustainable fashion? Check out Voglia Swimwear at vogliaswim.com and follow their journey on Instagram at @vogliaswimwear.

And if you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe to The Wild Party Podcast for more inspiring entrepreneur stories!