This summer, we’ve opened our doors of ‘the edit’, in the vibrant beachtown of Port Dalhousie. Our chic general store features a collection of Canadian brands, and here we take you behind the scenes to learn about the founders and their stories. Our pop-up, located at Lock and Main Marketplace (17 Lock Street), is open Thursday to Monday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Today, we sat down with Sandra Vukovic, founder of VUK, here’s her story.
Sandra Vukovic; Founder of VUK
Photo credit: VUK
Website: www.vukswim.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/vukswim
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I am a 30-year-old swimwear designer from Toronto. I graduated with a BA in Fashion Design in 2015 and have worked in the industry ever since. I have two lovable and crazy kitties named after Turkish foods; Simit and Sujuk. In my spare time I enjoy watching reality television with a bowl of spicy noodles. I love being silly and laughing with my friends, it makes life that much sweeter. I will never say no to a cannoli.
Photo credit: VUK
Tell us the story behind your brand:
My love for fashion was evident from a young age but my passion for sustainability grew in my adult years. After learning the fashion industry was the second biggest polluter in the world, I became more conscious about my fashion purchases and made an effort to thoroughly research what I was buying before making my decision. I quickly grew frustrated with the lack of sustainable swimwear options in Toronto, and in 2020 VUK was born. VUK is not just another swim brand, it was created to get more use out of your swimsuit by introducing modular and versatile styles that can be worn to dinner, a cafe or heck, even a wedding! We aim to inspire creativity in how you choose to wear our styles and reinvent the way you think about swimwear.
Photo credit: VUK
What inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by what this beautiful earth has to offer and what we can do to preserve it. It is vital for businesses to set an example of transparency and ethical practices and it gives me purpose to be a part of the initiative that is working to make this goal happen. I am inspired by the amazing community around us that is cheering each other on every step of the way. My friends and family are also brilliant, uplifting, and supportive and they give me a reason to keep doing what I love.
Where’s your favourite spot to vacation in the summer?
Beach destinations are always my favourite, there is nothing like sand and saltwater. In particular, I have always been drawn to the Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea. It’s a slice of heaven with crystal blue waters, delicious cuisines and breathtaking sunsets.
Photo credit: VUK
What does 2023 hold for your brand?
2023 is all about the revamp of VUK. Our SS23 Swim Collection was updated to be all about building your swim wardrobe to be versatile and chic. We have expanded our product line to create swim-friendly pieces to elevate any look. From the beach to the streets our newest collection will prepare you for any occasion. The main goal for this year is to take a look at the business holistically and dive into the real potential and future of VUK. As for FW23, we are excited to announce that we will be expanding our offerings into a new and exciting category for us; apparel.
Shop VUK at our pop-up located at Lock and Main Marketplace (17 Lock Street) from Thursday to Monday, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
