In episode 11 of Behind the Brand, we interviewed the sister duo behind SWTS. This female-focused label began by selling preloved clothes during COVID lockdown and has since evolved into designing their own cut-and-sew collection.
Can you tell us a little about the story behind “Shop With The Sisters” and how it all started?
“ShopWithTheSisters” actually started during the COVID lockdown. Like most people, we were stuck at home, but we’ve always loved fashion and shopping. We began by selling our own preloved pieces on Facebook Live, just for the fun of it. The response was amazing—it turns out a lot of people missed the feeling of shopping and discovering unique finds. That gave us the idea to curate pieces and bring the shopping experience online. Eventually, we created our own Instagram account and moved our live sales there, and from then on, it just grew.
What inspired the idea of creating a girl-focused brand?
We’ve always loved dressing up and experimenting with fashion. Finding unique and standout pieces has always been something we enjoy. So we thought—why not create designs that reflect that passion? We wanted to build a brand that celebrates individuality and empowers girls to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. That’s really the heart behind our designs.
Who’s your benchmark?
Our benchmark isn’t necessarily a specific brand or company, but rather the people we design for—girls who love fashion, who want to feel good about themselves, and who aren’t afraid to express their style. We always keep them in mind when curating or designing our collections.
How are you competing with bigger retailers in the market?
We focus on what makes us different—our personal touch. We stay on top of trends, but we also make sure our pieces feel unique and special. We engage with our community directly, whether it’s through live sessions, pop-ups, or DMs. Bigger retailers might have the numbers, but we have that close connection with our audience, and that’s something we never want to lose.
Can you share some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while building this brand?
There have been a few! High rent and increasing costs—especially for delivery and logistics—have definitely been tough. And of course, juggling everything ourselves can get overwhelming. But every challenge has pushed us to grow and learn, and we’re proud of how far we’ve come.
How do you involve the community or your customers in your brand’s growth?
We love involving our community because they’re such a big part of our journey. One of our favourite ways is through our “flea parties”—we invite our customers to join us and sell their own preloved items, just like how we first started. It’s a full-circle moment, and it keeps the spirit of SWTS alive.
What has been the most rewarding moment since launching “Shop With The Sisters”?
Honestly, the most surreal and rewarding moment is when we’re out and we spotted someone wearing our designs. It’s such a proud and heartwarming feeling knowing someone chose to wear something we created. That support means everything.
What is your next move?
We’re super excited to be opening our own physical store this August! It’s been a dream in the making and we can’t wait to finally meet more of our customers in person and create a space that truly represents the SWTS vibe.
How do you see “Shop With The Sisters” evolving in the next few years?
We’ve already started doing pop-ups in places like Indonesia and Malaysia, and it’s been incredible. In the next few years, we’d love to grow even more regionally—maybe even globally. Expanding our brand while staying true to our roots is something we’re working towards.
If you don’t sell clothes, what would it be?
It would still be something fashion-related for sure—maybe shoes, bags, or accessories. We’re all about styling from head to toe, so it would be fun to explore that side too!
Interviewee with Nawa & Aqai Photo courtesy of SWTS.
Suave Cartel Media original series “BEHIND THE BRAND”
suavecartelmedia.com 