OLA AZUL’S CHIC SWIMWEAR LEADS THE JOYFUL WAVE OF LATIN ENTREPRENEURS
By: Erica Commisso
Swimwear brand Ola Azul is a family affair: Marcela and Juan Marin joined forces with their cousin Carolina Mesa to create a swimwear brand that brings their Latin heritage and their ideology to the forefront, celebrating the vibrancy of the culture with sustainable and ethical practices. Ola Azul, they say, is an invitation to feel joy in what we wear, to live colourfully, and find the vibrancy in every aspect of our lives.
The brand–and the family–are based in Medellin, Colombia, and immediately aimed to bring the artisanship, joy and artistry woven into the country’s identity to the forefront using bright colours, bold patterns, and a passion for beauty and elegance. “Fashion has always been a part of our lives,” says Juan Marin. “We grew up in an entrepreneurial family, surrounded by people who valued creativity, hard work, and self-expression. From a young age, we were drawn to fashion, not just as consumers, but as admirers of the artistry and detail behind every design.”
Source: Ola Azul
And people are drawn to their vision, too–Marin says his global success has created a situation the brand didn’t necessarily anticipate, creating room for the brand to quickly and rapidly evolve to better adjust to its customers. One-pieces, bikinis, cover-ups and swim trunks designed by Ola Azul are flying off the shelves all over the world. “Our most unexpected success has been the incredible speed and scale of our international growth. From the very beginning, our vision was to build a global brand, but we never imagined how quickly our collections would resonate with customers around the world,” he says. “As our collections began reaching customers in many different countries, we realized how diverse preferences, body types, and cultural perspectives can be. What feels natural and desirable in one market might be seen different in another. Adapting our designs, fits, and brand communication to meet those different expectations while staying true to our identity has been a complex but incredibly enriching process.”
It’s also been rewarding, Marin says, to see people connect to what they call Latin Joy, and Ola Azul’s slogan, “say it in colour.” As Latin entrepreneurship continues to rise, he hopes that the brand’s footprint of cultural authenticity and sustainable design can be representative of the wave of entrepreneurs and businesses from his corner of the world.
Source: Ola Azul
“We believe the surge of entrepreneurship in Latin America comes from a mix of passion, resilience, and progress. Growing up in developing, and now almost fully developed, countries has instilled in us a strong work ethic and a deep desire to create better opportunities for our communities. There’s a genuine love for our countries and a shared goal of contributing to their growth and global recognition,” he says. “Today, Latin America has everything it takes to compete on an international level, from exceptional craftsmanship and creativity to world-class education and access to global markets. Our entrepreneurs are no longer limited to exporting raw materials or commodities; we’re now exporting ideas, innovation, and beautifully finished products that carry our identity and excellence.
“It’s an exciting time for our region, we’re showing the world that Latin talent, vision, and craftsmanship can stand proudly beside the most established global brands.”