Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha Hudson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in northern California, Sacramento specifically. I spent the long hot days of my childhood summers partially submerged in water as often as possible — anything from the public pool, to the many rivers, lakes, ponds, and puddles of the Central Valley. If there’s water, even it was mostly mud and a little water, I would get in it. As I got older, I have become more discerning– seeking out secret swimming holes, empty beaches, hard-to-find waterfalls, and isolated natural hot springs. Collecting swimming spots is kind of a form of hoarding, and a passion.. a passion I have managed to turn into a full-time lifestyle and career.
I make custom swimwear out of a converted short school bus and live in the said bus as I move from beach to beach and river to river around California sewing and swimming and sleeping. Luv Martha Swim was born out of a need for functional swimwear that pushed the boundaries of what is possible for bikinis— bikinis for surfing, for hiking, for dancing, for running, etc. As a curvy, plus sized woman who lives to swim and hike, those tiny, string bikinis have never quite worked for me and what I wanted to do. I needed something that could stay on in the waves and waterfalls and be worn under my clothes on whatever adventure it took to get there.
Now I make custom swimwear for every size and shape body, every gender, every ability. I try to accommodate every specific person’s desire to adventure and what they personally need out of their swimsuits. Everybody deserves to have swimwear that can keep up.
Luv Martha Swim is more than just a bikini business– its a bus based lifestyle, a response to a lack of size & gender inclusive fashion, and a body positive platform
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been bumpy, both metaphorically and quite literally, considering everything is being made on the road. Luv Martha Swim started somewhat organically but definitely hasn’t been free of struggle.
I started this business without any business loans, any backup plan, and any investors or savings. It is and always has been mostly Instagram based. I had maybe a hundred or so followers when I posted a photo of the first swimsuit I made, and people just started ordering. They told their friends and the word spread. At first, I was putting almost everything I had right back into more fabric, better sewing machines, and business supplies to keep up with my growing customer base.
Then, at a certain point, it no longer made sense to pay expensive beach-town rental prices and I dreamed up moving both myself and my German Shepherd into a 20 ft school bus alongside everything I need for my business. The bikini bus has been a life saver and has allowed this business to keep me afloat and literally fuel my lifestyle. There have been times that I mostly ate nut butter and had to wait to sell a few suits before I could have enough diesel fuel to get to my next destination. There have been times when I’ve had to miss important life events because the bus broke down en route, or because the bikini industry is somewhat seasonal, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Luv Martha Swim is definitely unconventional, but its exactly the parts of it that are unconventional that have allowed me to stay independent, out of debt and carve out a super niche market for myself. If I have any advice for anybody just starting out, I would say: stay true to yourself and your ideas, you may have to get creative to make it work and a lot of people will doubt but in the end, it will be on your own terms and that is everything.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I make custom swimwear. Exclusively.
I refuse to standardize my sizing, to sell in bulk in stores, or to compromise the integrity of a custom suit made exactly for you. Our bodies are not defined by a number and are not meant to be confined by a one-size-fits-all. Our bodies are equally beautiful and important. We all deserve a bikini we feel absolutely fabulous in and can keep up with our lives.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I’m inspired but nature and our physical bodies obviously, but I also am constantly inspired by artists, activists and the women close to me. My mom, Anne Mahony, has run multiple creative small businesses in her life and my sister, Meghan Hudson is also a working artist. Ive been always been surrounded by creative, talented women who believed in themselves and believe in me.
Pricing:
- custom bikinis $100 -150
- custom one-piece swimsuits $100-190
Contact Info:
- Website: www.luvmartha.com
- Email: luvmarthaswim@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luv_martha/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LUVMARTHASWIM/
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
