São Paulo – After competing around the world with the Brazilian National Swimming team, swimmer Fabíola Molina is now exporting sports and beachwear. And she sells to the Arab world. Her namesake brand was founded ten years ago, and it has since exported its creations to over 15 countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Algeria.
According to the administrative manager Lilian Kirizawa, sales to Arab countries have taken place via the company’s e-shop. Therefore, the brand cannot provide details regarding the buyers. However, sales to the region account for a small share of overall exports.
“We would like to step up our sales to Arab countries, because we believe our niche is well-suited to all athletes; we offer very high quality, extremely durable products,” Kirizawa told ANBA by email.
The brand manufactures sports swimsuits, large swim briefs, and sunkinis. In the beginning, the company was exclusively swimming-oriented. Later on, the portfolio came to include sunkinis, ornamental jump wear, synchronized swimming wear, triathlon, other water sports, and beachwear.
The company began exporting in 2005, one year after its inception. Output is around 6,000 items per month, 35% of which are exported. According to Kirizawa, the top export items are sports items.
Target countries include the United States, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, Slovakia, South Africa, Canada, Greece, Italy, Denmark, Japan, Hong Kong and New Caledonia, plus the Arabs.
The swimmer Fabíola Molina, who parted ways with the Brazilian National Team last year, works in management and design.
According to the company’s website, she always attracted attention for the items she wore competition, which she designed herself. Instead of bathing suits, she wore colourful sunkinis with prints. As a result, other athletes started placing orders, and thus the idea to start a business came up.
Presently, the brand is based in São José dos Campos, in the state of São Paulo, where manufacturing and management are located. The company manufactures all of its items.
Contact:
Fabíola Molina
Website: www.fabiolamolina.com.br
Telephone: +(55 12) 3322-4898
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
