When I created Akua, I knew it would always be about more than swimwear. I always imagined it as something living, a brand that grows with women, moves with them, and reflects the way confidence feels.
The idea for this project came to me mid-flight on my way to Bermuda, it just hit me. I could picture the scene: a dancer, the beach, the kind of movement that feels real and alive. I didn’t know exactly what it would be yet, but I knew it had to happen there.
When I landed, I reached out to a friend on the island who shared a few local dancers, and when she sent me Sashie’s page, I knew right away she was the one. A Bermudian dancer whose energy felt rooted in the island itself. There’s something powerful about women who use movement to empower others, and that felt perfectly aligned with what Akua represents.
When she put on the suit, it fit like it was made for her. That day on the beach, watching her move, I finally understood the connection I’d felt. Watching her move in Akua felt like watching the brand breathe.
This project showed me just how naturally Akua and dance intertwine. Both embody freedom and confidence, movement that’s feminine, emotional, and alive. Seeing women express that through both motion and design has been a full-circle moment, a reminder that Akua isn’t just about what you wear. It’s about how you feel when you move through the world.
Love, Danika
Founder
