Every brand has a beginning, and for me, it started in 2014 with my very first bikini. Back then, I didn’t know how to sew a bikini myself, but I had a dream: to create a fully Sardinian-made product that reflected my designs, my love for the sea, and my passion for creativity.

I collaborated with Le Ricucite, a remarkable laboratory in Cagliari, Sardinia, known for recycling fabrics and creating new garments. They brought my vision to life and made the very first bikini for me. At the time, the project was part of my early brand, Manlo, in collaboration with Le Ricucite.

It wasn’t easy. I quickly realised that working with Lycra fabrics and printing my intricate designs was more challenging than I imagined. The local facilities weren’t equipped for the type of textile printing I wanted, but I didn’t give up. I kept searching until I found a place that could print my designs on Lycra, and together with Le Ricucite, we created the first bikini—a product of ambition, persistence, and collaboration.

This experience taught me a lot about the realities of fashion production and fueled my determination. When I later moved to London, surrounded by more advanced printing facilities and experienced manufacturers, I decided it was time to learn how to make bikinis myself.

Looking back, I’m proud of that first bikini—not just as a product, but as a symbol of starting small, facing challenges, and learning along the way. It marks the beginning of U-Can Design’s journey and my own path as a designer.

Here’s a historical image of the first bikinis we made, a reminder of how far creativity, passion, and persistence can take you.