HOW DID YOU START FEMMESUIT?
I worked in the television industry for years, including at OP1 in Amsterdam. But during a holiday in Mexico, everything suddenly became crystal clear: I want to spend my time doing something I truly love. Something I do with heart — and ideally, remotely, so I have the freedom to travel.
That’s when it hit me: I wanted a creative life. My own business and the freedom not to live according to the standard script. Deep down, I’d always dreamed of leaving everything behind and starting over abroad.
On the flight back from Mexico, the name came to me: Femmesuit. It just popped into my head — but I knew instantly: this is it. A swimwear brand by and for women who choose their own path. It felt like the perfect blend of all my passions: fashion, freedom, travel, and entrepreneurship.
Back in the Netherlands, I went all in. For the next six months, I worked non-stop and saved every cent I could.
And when the time came? I booked a one-way ticket to Bali.
HOW DO YOU DIVIDE YOUR TIME BETWEEN AMSTERDAM AND BALI?
It’s still a puzzle sometimes. I’ve built my business in a way that allows me to stay flexible — so I can intuitively feel where I need to be at any given moment.
Over time, I’ve built a strong network in Bali, where my swimwear production also takes place. So it’s important for me to be there regularly — to check samples, align with the team, and stay close to the energy of the brand. And let’s be honest: there’s no place that captures the vibe of swimwear quite like Bali, where people live in bikinis year-round.
But after two years on the island, I felt the need for more structure and a stable base again. That’s why I recently moved back to Amsterdam, where I’ll soon be opening an office together with other inspiring brands.
I feel like this is the right moment to take Femmesuit to the next level. Bali gives me endless inspiration for new collections, but Amsterdam is the place where I want to build, grow, and keep challenging myself as an entrepreneur.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST LESSON OVER THE PAST YEAR?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as an entrepreneur is that you don’t have to do everything alone.
In the beginning, I often took on projects I didn’t actually have the right skills for. It didn’t just cost me a lot of time — it cost me money too. While I could’ve just brought in someone who’s actually an expert. So I’ve learned to be honest about where my strengths lie within FEMMESUIT — and where they don’t.
Anything I’m not an A-player at, I outsource. To people who can do it better and faster than I can.
At first, that felt scary. You naturally think: I’d rather hold onto my money.
But now I know it’s actually an investment in growth. Because when the right people are in the right roles, everything becomes faster, better, and more professional. And in the end, that always pays off.
HOW’S THE FUTURE LOOKING?
I’m full of plans and dreams for FEMMESUIT — and now that I’m back in Amsterdam, it feels like I get to open a brand new chapter.
The first step? My own office.
But this will be more than just a workspace. It will be an inspiring place where creativity, entrepreneurship, and community come together. A studio where we can shoot campaigns, design new collections, and host events that celebrate female power, entrepreneurship, and connection. From this new base in Amsterdam, I want to grow FEMMESUIT into an international brand that not only sells beautiful swimwear, but also makes real impact.
Our mission is to support women around the world — not just by helping them feel confident in our designs, but also by creating jobs (like we already do in Bali) and supporting women-led initiatives globally.
My dream is to build a brand that blends style with meaning.
A brand that’s not just about what you wear — but what you stand for.
AND OF COURSE: HOW DO YOU PACK & SHIP YOUR ORDERS?
Since the start of my business, I’ve been working with Shipping Studio for all my packaging — and I’m still so happy with that choice.
Sustainability is something I deeply value, both personally and within FEMMESUIT. When I discovered Shipping Studio’s compostable mailers (and saw how cute they looked), I was instantly sold. They perfectly align with what FEMMESUIT stands for: making conscious choices without compromising on branding or experience.
We also created custom thank-you cards and added polaroids to every order — small details that really make the customer feel like they’re receiving something special.
And there’s more coming… I’m super excited to launch our own custom-printed mailers soon. It’s the next step in building a brand that’s both stylish and responsible.
xo
Femke